Echinacea Pallida Uses Examined

To understand echinacea pallida uses, its best to first distinguish it from its other echinacea counterparts, echinacea augustifolia and echinacea purpurea.

These latter two are the main echinacea species used and recommended by herbalists, and the main subject of studies done on echinacea.

Echinacea is an immune stimulant. Echinacea pallida however lacks the alkylamide content of echinacea angustifolia and purpurea. The alkylamide and polysaccharide content inhibit cyclooxygenase and 5-lipoxygenase, which are both involved in inflammation. Thus echinacea pallida uses with regards inflammation conditions like arthritis may be limited.

On a more positive note, the Commission E monographs have specified echinacea pallida uses as a supportive therapy for influenza like conditions, and for strengthening the body's capacity to respond to infections of the upper respiratory tract.

Some herbal preparations use a combination of the echinacea species, so you would probably find echinacea pallida used with at least augustifolia or purpurea.

The Commission E monographs are: The Complete German Commission E Monographs- Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines.

If you are using echinacea for a flu, cold or infection, make sure you keep using it for 2 days after the infection has cleared. This ensures you won't relapse.