When it comes to the common cold, several clinical trials have shown that people who take echinacea as soon as they start to feel ill tend to experience fewer symptoms and a milder cold than those who don't take the herb. Despite numerous studies on the effects of echinacea on the common cold, researchers have yet to find conclusive evidence of its effectiveness. It is not believed that taking echinacea after you have already caught a cold will reduce the duration of your illness. However, taking echinacea when you are healthy may slightly reduce your chances of getting a cold.
Of the nine species of echinacea, three are commonly used for medicinal purposes: Echinacea purpurea, Echinacea pallida, and Echinacea angustifolia. Echinacea purpurea is the most widely used species for medicinal purposes. It is believed to have anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting properties, which can help reduce the severity of cold symptoms. Studies have also shown that it can help reduce the duration of a cold by up to two days.
Echinacea pallida is also believed to have anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting properties, but it is not as widely studied as Echinacea purpurea. Studies have shown that it can help reduce the severity of cold symptoms, but it is not as effective as Echinacea purpurea in reducing the duration of a cold. Echinacea angustifolia is believed to have anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting properties, but it is not as widely studied as Echinacea purpurea and Echinacea pallida. Studies have shown that it can help reduce the severity of cold symptoms, but it is not as effective as Echinacea purpurea and Echinacea pallida in reducing the duration of a cold. Overall, taking echinacea when you start to feel ill may help reduce the severity of your cold symptoms and slightly reduce the duration of your illness. However, more research is needed to determine its effectiveness in treating the common cold.
