Echinacea or purple cornflower is often used as a natural remedy for upper respiratory tract infections and other illnesses, such as the 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?
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 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 alkamides, caffeic acid derivatives, polysaccharides, and glycoproteins. These compounds confer antioxidant, antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory properties to echinacea (6). Here’s a brief overview of the uses of Echinacea for children.
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
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). Echinacea should never be administered to immunocompromised children, children with an autoimmune disorder, or those who have any liver disorder (2).
Dizziness Upset stomach Nausea Allergic reactions
