Echinacea (coneflower) is taken by millions of people globally. It is often used to treat or prevent the common cold and there have been several randomised controlled trials investigating this use. Two main species are commonly used; echinacea angustifolia (narrow-leaf coneflower) and echinacea purpurea (purple coneflower). Echinacea tends to be well-tolerated although many of the studies investigate short-term use only, for example 14 days.
For information on the results from randomised controlled trials and a summary of the findings using meta-analysis, select a condition below and download the related fact sheet. As always, consult your physician before adding new treatments to your regimen or changing any current medication.