Echinacea Purpurea root

Echinaceae purpureae radix, echinacea purpurea root, purple coneflower root.  

Echinacea purpurea root, consisting of fresh or dried root of Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench [Fam.  Asteraceae], as well as preparations thereof.  

Animal Experiment:

• In the carbon clearance test, alcoholic root extracts show a rate increase in the elimination of carbon particles.  

In vitro:

• Alcoholic extracts show an increase in phagocytic elements when tested in granulocyte smears.  

Acute toxicity of E.  purpurea root extract was measured on NMRI-mice using oral application.  The toxicity was greater than 3000 mg/kg body weight.  More information concerning the kind of extract is not given.  Extrapolation to the herb [i.e., above-ground parts] or other preparations is not possible.  

Clinical Data

Combinations with up to 5 components:

1. Echinacea purpurea root, coneflower root, arborvitae tips, indigo weed rhizome.
2. Echinacea purpurea root, -sitosterol, a-tocopherol acetate.  
3. Echinacea purpurea root, witch hazel leaves, horse chestnut seeds, esculin.  
4. Echinacea purpurea root, 1 homeopathic preparation.
5. Echinacea purpurea root, onion, pumpkin seed, poplar buds, pareira root.
6. Echinacea purpurea root, onion, pumpkin seed, poplar buds, pareira root.  

Combinations with more than 5 components:

7. Echinacea purpurea root, peppermint leaves, turmeric root, buckthorn bark, milk thistle fruit, dandelion whole plant, tetterwort, madder root.  
8. Echinacea purpurea root, fennel, caraway, coriander fruit, hawthorn leaves, hawthorn flowers, hawthorn herb, mistletoe, melissa, eleuthero ginseng root.
9. Echinacea purpurea root, hawthorn flowers, valerian root, lily-of-the-valley herb, arnica flowers, large-flowered cereus flowers, arborvitae tips.  

1. Nonspecific irrigation therapy, prophylaxis and therapy for infectious diseases, common infections (virus, influenza), leukopenia after radiation therapy or cytostatic therapy, support of anti-infectious chemotherapy.
2. Prostatic syndrome (hypertrophy, adenoma), disturbances of bladder functions, disturbances of micturition, chronic inflammation of bladder lining.  
3. Varicose symptoms, ulcus cruris, thrombophlebitis, varicose veins, edema, hemorrhoids, varicose stasis, paresthesia, dysmenorrhea.  
4. Disturbances of hair growth, loss of hair, hair damage, for improved sheen and elasticity of the hair, seborrhea, brittleness of nails.  
5. Prostatitis syndrome, irritated bladder condition in men and women, abacterial chronic and recurrent prostatitis, bacterial chronic and recurrent prostatitis–needed in combination with a targeted antibacterial therapy, vegetatively fixed prostatitis, catarrhal adnexitis, symptomatic therapy for radiation-damaged bladder, support of antibiotic therapy of acute bacterial prostatitis by removal of inflamed and vegetative components of this disease form, and by its additive antibacterial effect.
6. Functional, hormonal, radiogenic micturition disturbances, cystitis, infections of the bladder, prophylaxis and therapy of infections in the urinary system after urologic and gynecologic surgery.
7. Diseases of the liver-gall-system, recidivous prophylaxis for gallstones, cholecystitis, cholangiitis, gall spasms, postcystectomic syndrome, posthepatic syndrome, hypotonic-asthenic dyskinesia.  
8. For stress symptoms, fatigue, unrest, tiredness, exhaustion, convalescence.
9. For coronary circulation problems, inflammation of the peri- and endocardium, neurosis of the circulatory system.

In case of tendency for allergies, especially from Asteraceae , and during pregnancy, no parenteral application to be used.  

Warning:The metabolic condition of diabetics can decline upon parenteral application.  

External:

• None known.  

Oral use:

• Progressive systemic diseases such as tuberculosis, leukosis, collagenosis, multiple sclerosis, AIDS, HIV infection, and other autoimmune diseases.  

Oral and External:

• None known.  

Parenteral use:

• Depending upon dosage, chills, short-term fever reactions, nausea and vomiting may occur.  In single cases, allergic reactions of the immediate type are possible.  

None known.  

No parenteral application during pregnancy.  

None known.  

No dosage information submitted.  

Form of application:

• cut or ground herb for tea or other galenical preparations.  

None known.  

None.  

Since the effectiveness for the claimed: applications is not documented, therapeutic use cannot be recommended.  The application of parenteral preparations is not justifiable because of various risks.  

[Ed.  note: Echinacea purpurea leaf is an approved herb.  SeeIntroductionfor a discussion of the approvals and rejections of Echinacea preparations.]

None.