Echinacea For Children: Is It Safe And Precautions To Take

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Echinacea or purple cornflower is often used as a natural remedy for upper respiratory tract infections and other illnesses, such as the cold, flu, and fever in children. However, parents must understand its effectiveness and safety before using echinacea for kids to treat illnesses or improve their general health (1).

Echinacea is a group of medicinal flowering plants found in North America (Echinacea purpurea, Echinacea angustifolia, and Echinacea pallida). It has been used to treat various infections and wounds for several centuries (2).

Read this article to learn whether echinacea is safe for children, its benefits and possible side effects, the precautions to take while using it, and the factors determining its dosage.

Is Echinacea Safe For Children?

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Guided use of echinacea is considered safe for children aged 12 years and above. However, its use in younger children is also prevalent in alternative medicine. If you want to try echinacea for your child, consult a pediatrician or alternative medicine expert. An aromatherapy and wellness expert can guide you about the safety of echinacea for your child based on their age, medical history, medication details, and overall health (3).

Additionally, they will suggest an age-appropriate dosage based on the intent of use. Echinacea is available in different forms, such as extracts (alcoholic, water, or oil), chewable tablets, tea, pills/capsules, gummies, and fresh/dried powder. Thus, discuss the best option for your child with your doctor (4).

Safe Dosage For Children

The use of echinacea as a dietary supplement or herbal medicine isn’t well-regulated, as dietary supplements and herbal medicines do not undergo the US FDA’s safety regulation checks. Therefore, their safety and efficacy aren’t apparent. Besides, the right dosage of echinacea for children depends on the child’s age, weight, medical condition, type of echinacea product, and mode of use, that is, oral or topical (5).

All these factors make selecting and administering echinacea to children tricky. Hence, you should follow the dosage as recommended on the package. Alternatively, you may consult an expert who could recommend a safe dosage for your child’s condition.

Uses Of Echinacea For Children

The roots and herbs of the echinacea plant contain bioactive compounds, such as alkamidesⁱXPlant compounds with antimicrobial, antioxidant, and diuretic properties , caffeic acidⁱXCompound found in all plant species and found in foods such as coffee, wine, and tea derivatives, polysaccharidesⁱXNatural carbohydrates that provide energy , and glycoproteinsⁱXMolecules made of protein and carbohydrates . These compounds confer antioxidant, antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatoryⁱXA substance that stimulates or suppresses the immune system properties to echinacea (6).

Here’s a brief overview of the uses of Echinacea for children.

1. Common cold: Herbal preparation of Echinacea is proven to improve the common cold symptoms in adults; however, it is found ineffective in children (7). A 2011 literature review concludes that Echinacea purpurea taken at the first signs of cold might reduce the duration and severity of symptoms (8). In another study, it was found that certain Echinacea products might help relieve colds(9) . But majorly, the clinical trials and research offer mixed results.

2. Ear infections: Recurrent otitis media (middle ear infection) is common in young children (10). Alternative medicine experts and herbalists recommend using echinacea to treat and manage ear infections (2). However, a 2008 randomized-controlled trial shows that treating otitis media with echinacea products might increase the risk of its recurrence (11).

3. Skin issues: Research shows that echinacea can help treat acne. Herbal echinacea extract possesses antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, which help inhibit the bacteria (PropionibacteriumⁱXA commensal bacteria that can occasionally cause infectious diseases ) growth and reverse the inflammation caused by the bacteria (12). Besides, the topical use of Echinacea is also known to treat wounds, ulcers, cold sores, insect bites, eczema, and allergies (13).

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4. Immunity: Several parents use echinacea to boost their children’s immunity. A 2007 research study suggests echinacea can affect one’s innate and adaptive immunity. However, how much effect an echinacea product will have on one’s immunity depends on the species of echinacea used for making the product, the plant part used, and the extraction method as highlighted by research and clinical trials (6) (14) (15).Nonetheless, echinacea’s guided use may help in strengthening the immune system.

Possible Side Effects Of Echinacea

Generally, echinacea is well tolerated in adults. However, it may cause the following side effects in children (1).

• Abdominal pain, diarrhea, and vomiting
• Fever and chills
• Unpleasant taste in the mouth

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• Temporary tingling and numbing of the mouth
• Insomnia (16)
• Skin rash and allergic reactions, especially if the child is allergic to daisy family plants, such as marigold and ragweed (4)

Using Echinacea topically may cause red itchy rashes on the child’s skin, most likely due to an allergic reaction.

Precautions To Take When Using Echinacea For Children

Here are some simple precautions that you should observe when using echinacea for your child (3).

1. Consult a pediatrician or alternative medicine expert before using echinacea for your child regardless of the ailment. Also, share your child’s medical history, such as an allergy, and details of medications they take.

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2. Buy an echinacea product from a reputable and trustworthy manufacturer and seller. Before buying, take some suggestions from your healthcare provider. It will help ensure that the product you buy is contamination-free.

3. Select a product that has USP written after the product name. It indicates that the product has been manufactured as per the recommendations set forth by the US Pharmacopeia. Also, choose an alcohol-free echinacea product for your child.

4. Read the product label carefully while purchasing an echinacea product. The label should tell you about the active and inactive ingredients, such as vitamins, minerals, or sugar, in the product.

5. Follow the dosages as directed by the doctor and administer them carefully. Store the echinacea products away from children to prevent accidental ingestion.

6. Inform the child not to take caffeine or caffeinated beverages, such as energy drinks or cola, with echinacea, as it can increase the caffeine’s side effects, such as rapid heart rate and headache.

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Echinacea should never be administered to immunocompromised children, children with an autoimmune disorder, or those who have any liver disorder (2).

Infographic: Drug Interactions Of Echinacea

Consuming echinacea when on any medicines may increase or decrease its effect. Although the herb has not been found to have any major drug interactions, the infographic below discusses some possible ones.

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

Image: Stable Diffusion/MomJunction Design Team

Explore the powerful immunity boosting benefits of Echinacea in this informative video! Use this information wisely and get ready to feel healthier and stronger!

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Dr. Dur Afshar AghaMS

Dr. Dur Afshar Agha is a consultant pediatrician with around 26 years of experience in various medical facilities both in Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. She has headed the Department of Preventive Pediatrics at the prestigious, Children’s Hospital and Institute of Child Health in Pakistan and is a life member of the Pakistan Paediatric Association. She has also completed her Post...more

Swati PatwalM.Sc. (Food & Nutrition), MBA

Swati Patwal is a clinical nutritionist, a Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE) and a toddler mom with more than a decade of experience in diverse fields of nutrition. She started her career as a CSR project coordinator for a healthy eating and active lifestyle project catering to school children. Then she worked as a nutrition faculty and clinical nutrition coach in...more

Rohit GarooBSc, MBA

Rohit Garoo is a writer-turned-editor with over 9 years of experience in content writing, editing, and content marketing. He did his bachelors in Science at St. Xavier's College, Hyderabad, and masters in Business Administration at Osmania University. Also, he holds a certificate in Developmental Psychology from The University of Queensland and loves to expand his knowledge through certifications in various...more

Dr. Joyani DasM.Pharm, PhD

Dr. Joyani Das did her post-graduation from Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra and PhD in Pharmacology. Previously, she worked as an associate professor, faculty of Pharmacology, for two years. With her research background in preclinical studies and a zeal for scientific writing, she joined MomJunction as a health writer. Her research work was published in international journals and publications, such...more