Echinacea para Upper Respiratory Tract Infections
B Evidencia Al menos un ensayo aleatorizado lo respalda, con resultados mayoritariamente consistentes.Cochrane-reviewed meta-analyses suggest echinacea may modestly reduce cold duration and severity when started at symptom onset. Daily prophylactic use may reduce cold risk. Individual trial effects are small but consistently positive across multiple preparations.
<\/script>\n`;
},
get iframeSnippet() {
const domain = 'immunecited.com';
const params = 'ingredient\u003Dechinacea\u0026condition\u003Dupper\u002Drespiratory\u002Dinfections';
return ``;
},
get activeSnippet() {
return this.method === 'script' ? this.scriptSnippet : this.iframeSnippet;
},
copySnippet() {
navigator.clipboard.writeText(this.activeSnippet).then(() => {
this.copied = true;
setTimeout(() => { this.copied = false; }, 2000);
});
}
}"
@keydown.escape.window="open = false"
@click.outside="open = false">
B
Conclusión
Cochrane-reviewed meta-analyses suggest echinacea may modestly reduce cold duration and severity when started at symptom onset. Daily prophylactic use may reduce cold risk. Individual trial effects are small but consistently positive across multiple preparations.
Key Study Findings
Meta-Analysis
n=3169
Efficacy and safety of Echinacea purpurea in treating upper respiratory infections and complications of otitis …
Dose: None
vs: Placebo
Outcome: URTI treatment duration, incidence, antibiotic use
Efecto: SMD=-0.19 (duration); RR=0.81 (incidence)
<0.01
Población: Children with URTI and otitis media (9 RCTs)
Review
Plant-Based Support of Respiratory Health during Viral Outbreaks.
Dose: None
vs: None
Outcome: None
Efecto: None
None
Población: None
Meta-Analysis
Echinacea for the prevention and treatment of upper respiratory tract infections: A systematic review and …
Dose: None
vs: Placebo
Outcome: Upper respiratory tract infection
Efecto: None
None
Población: None
Meta-Analysis
n=3135
13.0 weeks
Efficacy of vitamin C for the prevention and treatment of upper respiratory tract infection. A …
Dose: None
vs: Placebo
Outcome: Upper respiratory tract infection
Efecto: odds ratio = 0.75
p=0.07
Población: children
In Vitro
Prevention and Treatment of Influenza, Influenza-Like Illness, and Common Cold by Herbal, Complementary, and Natural …
Dose: None
vs: Placebo
Outcome: Influenza and common cold prevention/treatment
Efecto: None
None
Población: General population with respiratory infections
Randomized Controlled Trial
n=177
Double-blind
Antitussive effect of a fixed combination of Justicia adhatoda, Echinacea purpurea and Eleutherococcus senticosus extracts …
Dose: 30 ml/day
vs: placebo
Outcome: cough relief, which was assessed as the change …
Efecto: None
None
Población: men
Key Statistics
20
Estudios
4000
Participantes
↑
Positive
B
Calificación
Referenced Papers
Clinical nutrition ESPEN
2025
2 citas
Journal of agricultural …
2022
9 citas
Efficacy of vitamin C for the prevention and treatment of upper respiratory tract infection. A meta-analysis in children.
Meta-Analysis
European journal of …
2019
54 citas
Echinacea for the prevention and treatment of upper respiratory tract infections: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Meta-Analysis
Complementary therapies in …
2019
51 citas
Journal of evidence-based …
2017
134 citas
Phytomedicine : international …
2015
36 citas
Frontiers in pharmacology
2014
14 citas
American family physician
2012
Natural product communications
2011
7 citas
Annals of allergy, …
2008
28 citas
Alternative medicine review …
2007
163 citas
International journal of …
2007
41 citas
Canadian journal of …
2007
20 citas
American journal of …
2006
51 citas
Journal of alternative …
2005
44 citas
Southern medical journal
2005
35 citas
Journal of clinical …
2004
109 citas
Clinical evidence
2003
Clinical evidence
2003
Annals of internal …
2002
178 citas
Primary care
2002
56 citas
American family physician
2002
Archives of family …
1998
162 citas
Dosage & Usage
mg = milligrams · mcg = micrograms (1,000× smaller) · IU = International Units
Dosificaciones de uso común
- general:
- 300-500 mg standardized extract 3x/day
- acuteuse:
- At first sign of symptoms for 7-10 days
Límite superior: No established UL; generally used for 10 days or less
Dosificaciones estudiadas en la investigación
| Dosificación | Duración | Efecto | N |
|---|---|---|---|
| None | -- | Positive | 3169 |
| None | -- | Mixed | -- |
| None | -- | Positive | -- |
| None | 13.0 weeks | Mixed | 3135 |
| None | -- | Positive | -- |
| 30 ml/day | -- | Positive | 177 |
| None | -- | Neutral | -- |
| None | -- | Mixed | -- |
Mejor momento para tomar: At first sign of symptoms; multiple doses throughout the day
Safety & Side Effects
Efectos secundarios reportados
- ⚠ Gastrointestinal upset (nausea, stomach pain)
- ⚠ Allergic reactions (especially in those allergic to daisies, ragweed)
- ⚠ Headache
- ⚠ Dizziness
Interacciones conocidas
- ● Immunosuppressant medications (may counteract immunosuppression)
- ● CYP3A4 substrates (may alter metabolism of various drugs)
- ● Caffeine (may slow caffeine metabolism)
- ● Anabolic steroids and methotrexate (increased hepatotoxicity risk)
Ingesta máxima tolerable: No established UL; generally used for 10 days or less
Consulte siempre a su profesional de salud antes de comenzar cualquier suplemento.Siempre consulte a su profesional de salud antes de comenzar cualquier suplemento.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Echinacea help with Upper Respiratory Tract Infections?
Based on 20 studies with 4,000 participants, there is moderate evidence from clinical studies that Echinacea may support Upper Respiratory Tract Infections management. Our evidence grade is B (Good Evidence).
How much Echinacea should I take for Upper Respiratory Tract Infections?
Studies have used various dosages. A commonly studied range is 300-500 mg standardized extract 3x/day. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any supplement regimen.
Are there side effects of Echinacea?
Reported side effects may include Gastrointestinal upset (nausea, stomach pain), Allergic reactions (especially in those allergic to daisies, ragweed), Headache, Dizziness. Most side effects are mild and dose-dependent. Consult your doctor if you experience any adverse reactions.
How strong is the evidence for Echinacea and Upper Respiratory Tract Infections?
We rate the evidence as Grade B (Good Evidence). This rating is based on 20 peer-reviewed studies with 4,000 total participants. The overall direction of effect is positive.
Related Evidence
Otros ingredientes para Upper Respiratory Tract Infections
References
- [1] Thi-Phuong-Thao Pham et al.. Clin Nutr ESPEN. 2025. Efficacy and safety of Echinacea purpurea in treating upper respiratory infections and complications of otitis media in children: Systematic review … doi:10.1016/j.clnesp.2025.04.025 PubMed
- [2] Thirumurugan Rathinasabapathy et al.. J Agric Food Chem. 2022. Plant-Based Support of Respiratory Health during Viral Outbreaks. doi:10.1021/acs.jafc.1c06227 PubMed
- [3] Philippe Vorilhon et al.. Eur J Clin Pharmacol. 2019. Efficacy of vitamin C for the prevention and treatment of upper respiratory tract infection. A meta-analysis in children. doi:10.1007/s00228-018-2601-7 PubMed
- [4] Sholto David et al.. Complement Ther Med. 2019. Echinacea for the prevention and treatment of upper respiratory tract infections: A systematic review and meta-analysis. doi:10.1016/j.ctim.2019.03.011 PubMed
- [5] Haider Abdul-Lateef Mousa. J Evid Based Complementary Altern Med. 2017. Prevention and Treatment of Influenza, Influenza-Like Illness, and Common Cold by Herbal, Complementary, and Natural Therapies. doi:10.1177/2156587216641831 PubMed
- [6] Anders Barth et al.. Phytomedicine. 2015. Antitussive effect of a fixed combination of Justicia adhatoda, Echinacea purpurea and Eleutherococcus senticosus extracts in patients with acute upper … doi:10.1016/j.phymed.2015.10.001 PubMed
- [7] Lone Holst et al.. Front Pharmacol. 2014. Echinacea and elderberry-should they be used against upper respiratory tract infections during pregnancy? doi:10.3389/fphar.2014.00031 PubMed
- [8] Julia Fashner et al.. Am Fam Physician. 2012. Treatment of the common cold in children and adults. PubMed
- [9] Jie Ma et al.. Nat Prod Commun. 2011. Simultaneous quantification of Echinacea species, Flos Lonicerae, Radix Scutellaria and Fructus Forsythiae combinations by rapid resolution liquid chromatography. PubMed
- [10] Joelle O'Neil et al.. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2008. Effects of echinacea on the frequency of upper respiratory tract symptoms: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. doi:10.1016/S1081-1206(10)60603-5 PubMed
- [11] Mario Roxas et al.. Altern Med Rev. 2007. Colds and influenza: a review of diagnosis and conventional, botanical, and nutritional considerations. PubMed
- [12] H Hall et al.. Int J Sports Med. 2007. Echinacea purpurea and mucosal immunity. doi:10.1055/s-2007-964895 PubMed
- [13] Paul Richard Saunders et al.. Can J Physiol Pharmacol. 2007. Echinacea purpurea L. in children: safety, tolerability, compliance, and clinical effectiveness in upper respiratory tract infections. doi:10.1139/Y07-103 PubMed
- [14] Roxane R Carr et al.. Am J Health Syst Pharm. 2006. Complementary and alternative medicine for upper-respiratory-tract infection in children. doi:10.2146/ajhp040613 PubMed
- [15] Wendy Weber et al.. J Altern Complement Med. 2005. Echinacea purpurea for prevention of upper respiratory tract infections in children. doi:10.1089/acm.2005.11.1021 PubMed
- [16] Jamal Islam et al.. South Med J. 2005. Use of Echinacea in upper respiratory tract infection. doi:10.1097/01.SMJ.0000154783.93532.78 PubMed
- [17] V Goel et al.. J Clin Pharm Ther. 2004. Efficacy of a standardized echinacea preparation (Echinilin) for the treatment of the common cold: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2710.2003.00542.x PubMed
- [18] Chris Del Mar et al.. Clin Evid. 2003. Upper respiratory tract infection. PubMed
- [19] Chris Del Mar et al.. Clin Evid. 2003. Upper respiratory tract infection. PubMed
- [20] Bruce P Barrett et al.. Ann Intern Med. 2002. Treatment of the common cold with unrefined echinacea. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. doi:10.7326/0003-4819-137-12-200212170-00006 PubMed
- [21] Raja Jaber. Prim Care. 2002. Respiratory and allergic diseases: from upper respiratory tract infections to asthma. doi:10.1016/s0095-4543(01)00008-2 PubMed
- [22] Chris B Del Mar et al.. Am Fam Physician. 2002. Upper respiratory tract infection. PubMed
- [23] D Melchart et al.. Arch Fam Med. 1998. Echinacea root extracts for the prevention of upper respiratory tract infections: a double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized trial. doi:10.1001/archfami.7.6.541 PubMed
Aviso legal FDA: Estas declaraciones no han sido evaluadas por la Food and Drug Administration. Los productos y la información en este sitio web no están destinados a diagnosticar, tratar, curar ni prevenir ninguna enfermedad. Las calificaciones de evidencia presentadas se basan en nuestro análisis de investigación publicada revisada por pares y no constituyen consejo médico. Siempre consulte a su profesional de salud antes de comenzar cualquier régimen de suplementos.