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Echinacea (black sampson, black Susans, Brauneria angustifolia, Brauneria pallida, Brauneria spp, Echinacea angustifolia, Echinacea pallida, Echinacea purpurea, Indian head, purple cone flower, red sunflower)

 

Classes: Antimicrobials, Herbals

Suggested dosing of Black sampson, black Susans (echinacea)

 

Oral

Herb juice

  • 6-9 ml PO daily OR
  • 20 gtts PO q2hr x 24 hours then TID

Crude herb extract

  • 2 tabs (6.78mg) PO TID

Echinacea pallida root tincture

  • 900 mg PO daily

Herbal compound tea

  • 5-6 cups PO on day 1, THEN
  • Decrease by 1 cup/day over 5 days]

No more than 8 weeks continuous use

 

Topical

Apply to affected area

 

Suggested uses of Black sampson, black Susans (echinacea)

Common cold, herpes simplex infection (topical), immunostimulant, psoriasis (topical), upper respiratory tract infections (viral), urinary tract infections, vaginal candidiasis, skin wounds (topical), skin ulcers (topical)

 

Efficacy

Demonstrated effective in symptom reduction and prophylaxis of cold, flu, URI

 

Black sampson, black Susans (echinacea) adverse (side) effects

Frequency not defined

Abdominal pain

Allergic reactions

Altered fertility

Diarrhea

Dizziness

Erythema (topical use)

Exanthema (topical use)

Fever

Nausea/vomiting

Pruritis (topical use)

Sore throat

Unpleasant taste

 

Warnings

Contraindications

Hypersensivity to Asteraceae/Compositae plants, chrysanthemums, daisies, marigolds, ragweed

Autoimmune disorders, collagenosis/collagen disease, HIV/AIDS, leukosis, multiple sclerosis, tuberculosis

 

Cautions

Atopic conditions, concurrent CYP 3A4 substrates, pregnancy

 

Pregnancy and lactation

Pregnancy category: N/A

Lactation: N/A

 

Pregnancy categories

A: Generally acceptable. Controlled studies in pregnant women show no evidence of fetal risk.

B: May be acceptable. Either animal studies show no risk but human studies not available or animal studies showed minor risks and human studies done and showed no risk.

C: Use with caution if benefits outweigh risks. Animal studies show risk and human studies not available or neither animal nor human studies done.

D: Use in LIFE-THREATENING emergencies when no safer drug available. Positive evidence of human fetal risk.

X: Do not use in pregnancy. Risks involved outweigh potential benefits. Safer alternatives exist.

NA: Information not available.

 

Pharmacology of Black sampson, black Susans (echinacea)

Mechanism of action

Echinacosides: stimulate T-lymphocyte and interferon production; inhibit hyaluronidase

Polysaccharides: Cytotoxic against tumor cells

Glycosides: Mild antibacteriaL