What is echinacea root good for?
Echinacea is a genera of flowering plants native to North America, and one such species, Echinacea purpurea, is commonly taken as a health supplement.
As a treatment for respiratory infection
It is best known for its effects on the immune system, especially its role in fighting respiratory infection, and this is due to the way in which echinacea plants are packed with antioxidants, compounds that protect cells against oxidative stress and stimulate the immune system to fight viruses. This is precisely why echinacea is so often promoted for treating the flu and the common cold.
Other health benefits of echinacea
However, studies show that echinacea is not just a one-trick pony, and that it could potentially help treat inflammation, migraines, and a variety of other health issues.
For example, some in vitro studies have shown that echinacea may help lower blood sugar levels, reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and many other chronic conditions. Other in vitro studies have demonstrated that echinacea extracts can suppress cancer cell growth, and even trigger cancer cell death.
When should I take echinacea root?
It is generally recommended to take echinacea with a meal, as taking echinacea supplements on an empty stomach could potentially cause unwanted side effects.
There is no real consensus on the best time of day for taking echinacea, although due to its potential to exacerbate the effects of caffeine, it is advised to avoid taking it in the latter half of the day if you drink anything that is caffeinated, so taking echinacea in the morning, preferably with breakfast, is the ideal time.
What should I avoid taking echinacea root with?
Avoid with caffeine
Echinacea is known to slow down how rapidly your body can eliminate caffeine, and this could potentially disrupt your sleep if you take caffeine in the afternoon and are expecting to have eliminated it all by the time you go to bed.
Echinacea can also exacerbate certain side effects of caffeine, such as headache and increased heart rate. For these reasons, it is advised to not take echinacea and caffeine together.
Echinacea Root data sources & further reading
Last updated by Asklepios on 30th January, 2025