Echinacea Purpurea (Asteraceae) is the Purple Coneflower, a perennial wildflower.
The biggest study every done about Echinacea has found that the popular herb does very little to flight or prevent colds and sore throats.
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin divided 700 people with different types of cold symptoms and split them into three groups. One group was given Echinacea; another a placebo and a third group was given a, unknown tablet that was could have been the herb or the placebo.
Those patients given Echinacea, a wildflower sometimes called purple cornflower, had symptoms dissipate seven to 10 hours sooner than patients who took placebos.
Dr. Brett Barrett, lead researcher on the study, said the difference was so small it could have easily been caused by some other factor or been coincidental.
The study ultimately concluded that the cost and effort associated with taking the herb may not be worth it for the possible benefits.
The common cold can be caused from over 200 viruses and many are resistant to treatments. However, many seek relieve from the symptoms, such as headaches, congestion, couch and sinuses. A decongestant or over-the-counter aspirin may help; they also have side-effects from diarrhea, dizziness, nausea and dizziness.
The side-effects alone are one of many reasons consumers seek alternative medications to remedy colds. The research group did not find any evidence users of Echinacea suffered a higher rate of any side affects or allergic reactions.
“Trends were in the direction of benefit, amounting to an average half-day reduction in the duration of a week-long cold or an approximate 10% reduction in overall severity,” Barrett said in a release. “However, this dose regimen did not make a large impact on the course of the common cold, compared either to blinded placebo or to no pills.”
Barrett said the study uncovered no negative side-effects coming from taking Echinacea. This study was the largest ever on Echinacea, Barrett said it was still a small-scale test and people who feel they benefit from taking the herb should not stop if it makes them feel better simply because of this one study.