Echinacea

Scientific and common names: Echinacea angustifolia, Echinacea purpurea, Echinacea pallida, purple coneflower, coneflower, black sampson, black susans, comb flower, snakeroot, red sunflower, scurvy root

Echinacea is a perennial herb with narrow leaves and a thick stem. It can grow up to 3 feet high. The plant produces a single colorful flower. The plant has a sharp smell and taste. When the plant is chewed it causes tingling of the tongue and lips. Echinacea plants are native to Kansas, Nebraska, and Missouri.

Echinacea has been used to:

• Prevent cold or flu or reduce the symptoms of the cold or flu.
• Prevent yeast infections, urinary tract infections, and genital herpes.
• Treat boils, abscesses, skin wounds and sores, eczema, psoriasis, herpes simplex, bee stings, and hemorrhoids when applied to the skin.
• Treat hay fever
• Stimulate the immune system.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not approve uses for natural remedies. The FDA does not inspect or regulate natural remedies the way they do prescription medicines.

Echinacea is available in extracts, tinctures, tablets, and capsules to be taken by mouth. It is also available in ointments and creams for use on the skin. Follow the directions printed on the product label or given by your health care provider.

Do not take echinacea if you are allergic to ragweed, chrysanthemums, marigolds, or daisies.

Using echinacea for more than 8 weeks in a row may make it less effective.

Females of childbearing age: If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, do not take this remedy without your health care provider's approval.

Talk to your health care provider or pharmacist about any natural remedy that you are using or considering. If your provider does not give you specific instructions, follow the directions that come with the package. Do not take more or take it longer than recommended. Ask about anything you do not understand. Remember:

• Natural remedies are not always safe.
• You should not take them if you are pregnant or breast-feeding without your health care provider's approval. They should not be taken by infants, children, or older adults without your provider's approval.
• They affect your body and may interact with prescription medicines that you take.
• Natural remedies are not standardized and may have different strengths and effects. They may be contaminated.

Along with its desirable effects, this remedy may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the remedy. Tell your health care provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening (Report these to your health care provider right away. If you cannot reach your health care provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).

The most common side effects when you take echinacea by mouth are fever, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhea, sore throat, dizziness, tingling or numb tongue, dry mouth.

Applying echinacea to the skin can cause redness, itching, or rash.

When you take this remedy with other medicines, it can change the way this remedy or any of the medicines work. Vitamins and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Before taking this remedy, talk to your health care provider if you are taking:

• antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin (Cipro), clarithromycin (Biaxin), erythromycin (Ery-Tabs, E.E.S., Eryc), troleandomycin (Tao), and norfloxacin (Noroxin)
• antidepressants such as fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem), fluvoxamine (Luvox), and paroxetine (Paxil)
• antifungals such as ketoconazole (Nizoral) and itraconazole (Sporanox)
• anti-HIV medicines such as indinavir (Crixivan), nelfinavir (Viracept), nevirapine (Viramune), delavirdine (Rescriptor), ritonavir (Norvir), and saquinavir (Fortovase, Invirase)
• fexofenadine (Allegra)
• heart medicines such as amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone), diltiazem (Cardizem, Dilacor, Tiamate, Tiazac), quinidine (Quinora, Quinidex, Quinaglute, Cardioquin), and verapamil (Calan, Covera, Isoptin)
• immunosuppressants such as azathioprine (Imuran), basiliximab (Simulect), daclizumab (Zenapax), cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune), tacrolimus (Prograf), sirolimus (Rapamune), mycophenolate (CellCept), and prednisone (Deltasone, Orasone)
• sedatives such as triazolam (Halcion) and midazolam (Versed)

Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, nonprescription, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins) with you. Be sure that you tell all health care providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

Keep all natural remedies and medicines out of the reach of children.

This advisory includes select information only. The information was obtained from scientific journals, study reports, and other documents. The author and publisher make no warranty, expressed or implied, as to the information. The advisory may not include all side effects associated with a remedy or interactions with other medicines. Nothing herein shall constitute a recommendation for the use of any remedy. Ask your health care provider or pharmacist for more information.