Echinacea Debunked.

Covered by the general press, the NEJM article is abstracted here. The study shows no effect. It didn't investigate adverse effects of long term exposure to the echinacea extracts.

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NEJM
Volume 353:341-348
July 28, 2005
Number 4

An Evaluation of Echinacea angustifolia in Experimental Rhinovirus Infections

Ronald B. Turner, M.D., Rudolf Bauer, Ph.D., Karin Woelkart, Thomas C. Hulsey, D.Sc., and J. David Gangemi, Ph.D.

An Evaluation of Echinacea angustifolia in Experimental Rhinovirus Infections

Ronald B. Turner, M.D.,
Rudolf Bauer, Ph.D.,
Karin Woelkart, ,
Thomas C. Hulsey, D.Sc. and
J. David Gangemi, Ph.D.


We evaluated the effect of chemically defined extracts from Echinacea angustifolia roots on rhinovirus infection. Three preparations of echinacea, with distinct phytochemical profiles, were produced by extraction from E. angustifolia roots.... 437 volunteers were randomly assigned to receive either prophylaxis (beginning seven days before the virus challenge) or treatment (beginning at the time of the challenge) either with one of these preparations or with placebo. The results for 399 volunteers who were challenged with rhinovirus type 39 and observed in a sequestered setting for five days were included in the data analysis.
... There were no statistically significant effects of the three echinacea extracts on rates of infection or severity of symptoms. Similarly, there were no significant effects of treatment on the volume of nasal secretions, on polymorphonuclear leukocyte or interleukin-8 concentrations in nasal-lavage specimens, or on quantitative-virus titer.

From the University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville (R.B.T.); Karl-Franzens-Universitaet, Graz, Austria (R.B., K.W.); the Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston (T.C.H.); and Clemson University, Clemson, S.C. (J.D.G.).
Address reprint requests to Dr. Turner at the University of Virginia School