The Health Benefits of Echinacea.

The Health Benefits of Echinacea
Can a tea made from purple cone flowers stave off colds and illnesses?.
Echinacea is a popular remedy for colds, flu, and other infections. Some people also believe that echinacea can alleviate pain, prevent cancer, improve mental health, and relieve skin problems. But the scientific community does not agree on the benefits of echinacea tea and some have expressed concerns regarding echinacea side effects.

Health Benefits

Echinacea has a long history of being used as an herbal treatment. American Indians were known to have used the treatment for a wide range of ailments before western settlers began using it in the 1800s. Because it has a long history of use, researchers have been studying the herb for decades with mixed results.

Boost Immunity:

Echinacea is widely touted as an immune booster that can help prevent cold and flu. However, there is insufficient evidence to support these claims.

In 2014, the Cochrane Database Systematic Reviews analyzed 24 double-blind trials of echinacea with a total of 4,631 participants found weak evidence to support the herb's effectiveness in preventing or treating colds and flu.4

One study included in the review found echinacea may reduce the duration and severity of colds when compared to a placebo, but the review authors noted the effects were not clinically significant.