Individuals interested in taking echinacea should
consult their health care provider and other reputable
sources of information before starting the herb. Pregnant
or breastfeeding women should be especially careful to
discuss the use of echinacea and all other drugs and
supplements with their health care provider. One animal
study indicated that the increase in white blood cells
normally seen during pregnancy was reduced or eliminated
in women who took echinacea during pregnancy.
This suggests that women who should avoid the drug
during pregnancy. A separate study designed to evaluate
the safety of echinacea during pregnancy failed to show
any harm to either the mother or the fetus. In addition,
care should be taken in giving children echinacea. Few
studies have been done specifically on children.
As with any medication, more is not necessarily
better, and the words ‘‘natural’’ or ‘‘organic’’ on the
label do not mean the product is safe. Overdose can
cause serious side effects. In the event of side effects,
echinacea should be stopped immediately and the side
effects reported to a health care professional. People
with autoimmune diseases (e.g., AIDS, multiple sclerosis)
are often counseled to avoid echinacea, because
of theoretical, but unproven, negative effects on the
immune system.
Interactions
Echinacea may interact with both conventional
drugs and other herbs or dietary supplements, but
few rigorous studies have been done on potential interactions.
Individuals should tell their health care provider
about all the conventional drugs and dietary
supplements they are taking before beginning any
new drug or supplement.
Since echinacea may stimulate the immune system,
it is recommended that individuals who are taking
immune system suppressant drugs following
cancer treatment or organ transplant avoid echinacea.
This interaction has not been verified experimentally,
and some trials suggest that echinacea can actually
benefit cancer patients.
Echinacea may also interact with econazole, an
antifungal drug. Individuals who take echinacea while
taking econazole to treat fungal infections appear more
likely to have reoccurrence of the fungal infection.
Complications
People who are allergic to ragweed, chrysanthemums,
marigolds, daisies, and related plants have a
greater chance of being allergic to echinacea. Allergic
reactions have on rare occasions been reported to be
severe and cause breathing difficulties, especially in
people with asthma. Much more common are allergic
reactions consisting of a rash, sneezing, or runny nose.
Parental concerns
Parents should be aware that the safe dose of
many herbal supplements has not been established
for children. Accidental overdose may occur if children
are give adult herbal supplements.
