Echinacea is a popular herbal supplement with origins in North America, traditionally used by Native Americans to treat colds, bronchitis, flu, and other respiratory infections. It is well-regarded for its immunostimulant properties, meaning it helps boost the immune system, both innate and adaptive immunity¹.

Benefits of Echinacea

1. Immunostimulant Activity:

   • Boosts innate and specific immunity.
   • Increases expression of immune markers in the bone marrow.
   • Enhances phagocytic activity and intracellular bactericidal activity.

2. Antiviral and Antimicrobial:

   • Demonstrates antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial effects.
   • A study involving 473 patients with confirmed influenza showed that Echinacea was as effective as the antiviral medication oseltamivir, with fewer adverse effects and reduced risk¹.

3. Anti-inflammatory Properties:

   • Helps reduce inflammation markers like IL-6, IL-12p70, IL-1beta, nitrous oxide (NO), and TNF-a¹.

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Footnotes

1. StatPearls - Herbal Supplements - NCBI ↩ ↩² ↩³