Echinacea: Herbs At A Glance

Echinacea Side Effects
Echinacea Side Effects: An Overview
Echinacea is an herbal supplement used for the common cold and a variety of other different uses (see Benefits of Echinacea for more information). Many people assume that echinacea is automatically free of side effects because it is "natural." However, any natural product with medicinal properties is capable of causing side effects. Although there are several documented echinacea side effects, most people usually tolerate it well.
Possible Side Effects of Echinacea
A few clinical studies have reported side effects with echinacea. These possible side effects include:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Abdominal pain (stomach pain)
- Diarrhea or constipation
- Heartburn
- Fever
- Dry mouth
- Joint pain or muscle pain
- Unpleasant taste
- Sore throat or mouth ulcers
- Tingling or burning of the tongue
- Insomnia
- Disorientation
- Dizziness
- Allergic reaction, which may cause symptoms such as
- Runny nose
- Itchy or watery eyes
- A rash or hives
- Itching
- Swelling of the mouth or throat
- Wheezing
- Difficulty breathing.
Be sure to
seek immediate medical attention if you think you may be having an allergic reaction to echinacea.
Unpredictable echinacea
side effects are also possible due to contaminants in certain products. Because herbs and supplements are not
as tightly regulated as prescription or non-prescription drugs, they are sometimes contaminated with other herbs, medications, or even heavy metals. In order to avoid such problems, it is important to choose a
high-quality supplement from
a trustworthy manufacturer.
Final Thoughts on Echinacea Side Effects You may experience some or none of the echinacea
side effects listed in
this article. Unfortunately, there is
no way for
you or your healthcare provider to know beforehand if you will experience side effects from
a product you have never taken before. Therefore, make sure to
let your healthcare provider know if you develop any side effects while taking this supplement or if something "just does not seem right." While it may not be a side effect of
echinacea, your healthcare provider will be able to diagnose and treat the problem.