Echinacea extract helps boost your immune system

Echinacea, commonly known as Echinacea, is a herbaceous plant that grows in North America and Europe. Although there are many species of Echinacea, extracts from Echinacea, Echinacea, and Echinacea are the most commonly used dietary supplements. Echinacea supplements on the US market typically contain extracts from multiple species and plant parts.

Echinacea purpurea contains volatile terpenoids, polysaccharides, acetates, alkanes, phenolic compounds, caffeic acid esters, and glycoproteins. However, the so-called active ingredients of Echinacea have not been well defined, and the chemical components of various Echinacea are also different. Echinacea purpurea may have antioxidant and antibacterial activities, stimulate monocytes and natural killer cell, and inhibit virus isolation from host cells. It may also reduce inflammation by inhibiting inflammatory cytokines. Most studies on Echinacea have evaluated whether it can help prevent and treat the common cold and other upper respiratory diseases, but it is also used in traditional medicine to promote wound healing.

Echinacea purpurea enhances immune function

Some studies have shown that Echinacea has limited benefits in preventing the common cold, so some researchers believe that Echinacea may have a similar effect on COVID-19. A preliminary in vitro study found that Echinacea purpurea can inactivate SARS-CoV-2. In a clinical trial in Iran, 100 adults (average age 45-47 years) suspected of COVID-19 based on chest computed tomography (CT) or X-ray and clinical symptoms were not hospitalized and received echinacea (variety and dosage unknown) plus ginger (dosage unknown) and hydroxychloroquine for 7 days or hydroxychloroquine alone. Among those who received a combination of echinacea, ginger, and hydroxychloroquine treatment, 91% to 98% experienced relief from coughing, muscle pain, and shortness of breath, while only 69% to 79% of those who received hydroxychloroquine alone had these benefits. However, the combination of treatment did not reduce the severity of fever or sore throat, nor did it reduce the hospitalization rate of COVID-19.

ClinicalTrials.gov shows that several clinical trials are evaluating the impact of Echinacea on COVID-19. For example, a clinical trial in Bulgaria will investigate whether different doses of Echinacea supplements can reduce the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 virus in approximately 75 children and adults aged 12 to 75 with COVID-19. Due to the potential immunostimulatory effect of Echinacea, some researchers believe that it may worsen the cytokine storm that COVID-19 patients may exhibit. However, evidence from clinical trials suggests that the use of echinacea reduces rather than increases the level of pro-inflammatory cytokines.