Echinacea purpurea leaf extract

• It is a very popular "immunostimulant" herb used for colds to reduce respiratory symptoms and flu. It is also used to prevent infections.
• It owes its properties to the high content of alkylamides, which are mainly isobutylamides or methylbutylamides and polyphenols.
• Echinacea is known as an immunostimulant, enhancing both innate and adaptive immunity. It has also demonstrated antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial effects.
• A randomized, double-blind study of 473 patients with virologically confirmed influenza infection showed that Echinacea was as effective as oseltamivir with fewer adverse events and a reduced risk.
• Generally, there are no significant side effects from echinacea, although it is possible to be allergic to the plant species. Echinacea allergies appear to be correlated with ragweed allergies, so people with ragweed allergies may be at greater risk of allergic reactions to supplemental echinacea.
• People with a genetic predisposition to autoimmune diseases should exercise caution when using immunostimulants, including Ehinacea, because the use of such preparations may be associated with the exacerbation of autoimmunity.