Echinacea
(augustifolia, purpurea, and pallida )                                                                              

General Description:  Perennial herb of the daisy family.

Part Used:  aerial portion and root

Uses:  

             treat infections

             common cold 

             wound healing 

             may increase WBC’s in persons undergoing chemotherapy

             eczema

             burns 

             lower urinary tract infection.

Action:  Immunomodulators (positive and negative clinical trials).  Cytotoxic activity against tumor cells, antioxidant, stimulates bone marrow macrophages, and WBC production.  Mild antibacterial properties.  Little of no effect on normal immune response in healthy patients.

Dosage:  6-9 mls of juice

              2-5 g of dried root used for no more than 6-8 weeks.  

Precautions:  Minimal side effects have been reported.  Can produce nausea.  May cause liver toxicity with other liver toxic drugs

Contraindications:  Immunosusppressed patients, infectious or autoimmune diseases; Lupus, HIV, TB.  Also, diabetics and those who have allergies to the daisy family of plants. Safety during pregnancy has not been studied.

Nursing Considerations:

            Instruct patients not to use more than 6-8 weeks

            Any form of Echinacea, dried roots, freeze-dried plants can be effective

            Do not use concurrently with antibiotics  

(References)