What are Possible Echinacea Reactions?

Regarding echinacea reactions, the German herbalist, R Weiss M.D. states that:

"They (certain members of the Asteracae family including echinacea) have no side effects in normal dosage range and can be given by mouth". (p230, Herbal Medicine)

He then goes onto say: "Oral treatment then follows, and should be continued for many weeks and even months, if necessary even for years". (p230, ibid)

There are cautions and claims made about possible echinacea reactions on many medical related sites, and on supplement labels. Generally echinacea is considered a very safe herb. My herbalist taught us though, that if someone had leukemia, they should not use echinacea.

Some people have reported gastrointestinal reactions with echinacea. Whether they were serious or not wasn't mentioned, and these reactions may have been dosage related.

www.unc.edu says that possible echinacea reactions can include hepatotoxicity, especially when used with other liver toxic agents like anabolic steroids or methotrexate; "May potentiate barbiturate toxicity"; and that it may decrease the effectiveness of corticosteroids.

Another site refutes some of the claims and cautions outlined about echinacea. (I go through these claims here if interested: echinacea and side effects)

Briefly, on taking echinacea for only 6 to 8 weeks, she says that there are no problems associated with long term echinacea use, which Weiss supports.

Regarding the warning on taking echinacea with autoimmune diseases, she reminds us that the basis for saying this is theoretical, which is true. That would make it an individual call.

Interstingly, regarding the caution about using echinacea if you are allergic to the daisy family, she says that it is still safe to use. That doesn't contradict the warning howver - which says only that you may be more likely to have an allergic reaction than someone not allergic.

For more information on echinacea, see this article.

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