What is the Echinacea Effect on Birth Control Pills?

There is one study underway, and yet to be published, on echinacea effects on birth control pills. But at this stage, there is nothing to suggest that echinacea adversely affects oral contraceptives.

One herb that may affect birth control pills, however, is st johns wort. It " appears to speed up the pace at which the body metabolizes drugs, diluting their effects. Past studies have shown the herb can weaken the impact of birth-control pills, protease inhibitors used to treat HIV, and the immunosuppressants that keep transplant patients from rejecting a new organ." (Source: www.aegis.coml)

Echinacea should not be taken for longer than 6 t0 8 weeks at a time, and preferably for shorter periods. It won't necessarily prevent you from getting a cold, but it may shorten the duration of the cold, and will certainly reduce the impact of symptoms whilst you are sick.

For more information on echinacea, see this article.