Echinacea purpurea is ineffective for upper respiratory tract infections in children

Abstract

Question

How safe and effective is Echinacea purpurea at reducing the duration and severity of upper respiratory tract infections in children?

Study design

Multicentre randomised controlled trial.

Main results

There was no significant difference in duration or severity of symptoms with Echinacea purpurea compared with placebo in children with upper respiratory tract infection (median duration of symptoms (95% CI): 9 days (8 to 10 days) with Echinacea vs. 9 days (8 to 10 days) with placebo; P=0.89; median severity of symptoms (95% CI): 33 (29 to 40) with Echinacea vs. 33 (30 to 38) with placebo; P=0.69). Rash occurred in significantly more children receiving Echinacea compared with placebo (reports of rash: 24 with Echinacea v 10 with placebo; P=0.008).

Authors’ conclusions

Echinacea purpurea is ineffective for treating upper respiratory tract infections in children aged 2 to 11 years.