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