Is gastrointestinal discomfort a side effect off taking echinacea?!
Question: Just wondering if anyone else had stomach issues/diarrhea when using an echinacea supplement.
Answers: Just wondering if anyone else had stomach issues/diarrhea when using an echinacea supplement.
Yes, too much echinacea can give gastro-intestinal discomfort. Supplements and drops contain much higher concentrations than you would get than if you used the herb in its natural form. Even worse, the benefits do not increase dramatically with these super-concentrated delivery methods. To get the most benefit from echinacea without the side effects, purchase the herb in its natural form, and make a tea with it...3 cups day will give you wonderful benefits.
yep. me too.
YES!!!!! Drink a lot of water and lay off a bit. I get heartburn when I take it.
Here is some info on echinacea for you:
Remedies For:
Alterative, antiseptic, tonic, depurative, maturating, febrifuge
Echinacea is used for:
Canker sores (mouth ulcers)
Common cold/sore throat
Crohn's disease
Gingivitis (periodontal disease)
Immune function
Influenza (flu)
Recurrent ear infection
Yeast infection
Echinacea had been used to treat infections. There are some anecdotal reports of using echinacea for AIDS, more research need to be done in that area before any conclusions can be reached.
Infections: Echinacea enhances the body's immune system. It has been shown effective for treating conditions such as influenza, colds, upper respiratory tract infections, urogenital infections, and other infectious conditions.
Common Cold: Echinacea is very popular for the treatment of common cold. Echinacea has been found effective in getting people back to health quickly as well as delaying getting other infections. Patients with weakened immune system have been found to be the most benefited from this herb.
Snake Bite: Echinacea had been used by American Indians as a remedy for snakebites. Echinacea is believed to inhibit hyaluronidase, a component of snake venom.
Wound Healing: Echinacea was found effective for the treatment of inflammatory skin conditions such as abscesses, foliculitis, wounds of all kinds, eczema, burns, herpes, and varicose ulcers of the leg.
Arthritis: Echinacea's anti-inflammatory activity helps alleviate rheumatoid arthritis.
Cancer: Echinacea is used to offset the depression of white cells during radiation and chemotherapy for cancer patients. Many clinical tests have shown that echinacea stabilized the white blood cells in patients undergoing cancer treatment, whereas, the patients not receiving echinacea had shown a continued decline in the white blood cells.
Dosage:
As an immune system stimulant, echinacea is best taken for a specific period of time. At the onset of a cold, it can be taken three to four times per day for ten to fourteen days. To prevent a cold, many people take echinacea tablets or capsules three times per day for six to eight weeks. A "rest" period is recommended after this, as echinacea's effects may diminish if used longer.
If preferred, powdered echinacea, in about 900 mg amounts, can be taken.
Liquid extracts are typically taken as 3-4 ml, three times per day.
Dried root: (or as tea): 1-2 grams
Freeze dried plant: 325-650 milligrams
Safety:
Echinacea is essentially nontoxic when taken orally. People should not take echinacea without consulting a physician if they have an autoimmune illness, such as lupus, or other progressive diseases, such as tuberculosis or multiple sclerosis. Those who are allergic to flowers of the daisy family should take echinacea with caution. There are no known contra-indications to the use of echinacea during pregnancy or lactation.
What are the possible side effects of echinacea?
Although uncommon, allergic reactions to echinacea have been reported. Stop taking echinacea and seek emergency medical attention if you experience symptoms of a serious allergic reaction including difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives.
Other less serious side effects have also been infrequently reported. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you experience
a fever, or
nausea or vomiting.
Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.