Understanding Echinacea and Warnings

-Pregnancy, Adverse Reactions, and Drug Interactions

A responsible use of echinacea comes from examining echinacea and warnings, as well as echinacea and its benefits.

Echinacea is commonly used for

• immune related problems like colds, flus and other respiratory infections
• inflammatory conditions of the skin like eczma, anscesses, herpes, wounds and boils
• inflammatory conditions affecting other connective tissue like joints as in arthritis
• inflammation affecting the musculoskeletal system
• alleriges

Echinacea and warnings - pregnancy

There is only one study that is widely reported on using echinacea and pregnancy, and it found that there were no significant differences between major or minor birth defects, pregnancy outcome, delivery method, maternal weight gain, gestational age, infant birth weight or fetal distress from taking echinacea during pregnancy, compared to the control group. However, there was more spontaneous abortions within the echinacea group. This aspect, the possible reasons for it, was not touched on in the study results. There may have been other factors, but we just don't know. If you are pregnant, consult your healthcare professional before using echinacea.

The full article on echinacea and pregnancy is here.

Echinacea and warnings - Adverse Reactions

Some people using echinacea have reported headaches, dizziness, nausea, constipation, and rashes. But all drugs have possible adverse reactions, and echinacea is generally considered by herbalists to be quite a safe herb.

Echinacea and warnings - Drug interactions

This section only poses theoretical risks. For people taking immunosuppressants, there is a theoretical risk echinacea could increase blood levesl and adverse affects of drugs like alprazolam, calcium-channel blockers, and protease inhibitors. It is best to consult your doctor if you are in this group.

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