What is it used for?
(Traditionally) used in Herbal Medicine to help relieve cold symptoms [Source note 2].
(Traditionally) used in Herbal Medicine to help relieve symptoms of upper respiratory tract infections [Source note 3].
Supportive therapy in the treatment of upper respiratory tract infections (e.g., common colds) [Source note 4].
Helps to relieve the symptoms and shorten the duration of upper respiratory tract infections (e.g., common cold) [Source note 5].
The above uses can be combined on the product label if from the same traditional or non-traditional system of medicine (e.g., Traditionally used in Herbal Medicine to help relieve cold symptoms and symptoms of upper respiratory tract infections).
For multiple-ingredient products:
To prevent the product from being represented as a “traditional medicine”, any indicated traditional use claim must refer to the specific active ingredient(s) and recognized traditional system of medicine from which the claim originates when 1) both traditional and modern claims are present or 2) when claims originate from multiple systems of traditional medicine (e.g., Echinacea is traditionally used in Herbal Medicine to help relieve cold symptoms).
When ALL of the active ingredients (MIs) in the product are used within the SAME identified system of traditional medicine AND the product makes ONLY traditional claims, listing of MIs in the traditional claim(s) is not required.
Who does this guide cover?
As specified below.
How is it taken?
Oral
Which forms are covered?
this reference excludes foods or food-like dosage forms as indicated in the Compendium of references Guidance Document.
Children 2 years: The acceptable dosage forms are limited to emulsion/suspension and solution/ liquid preparations (Giacoia et al. 2008; EMA/CHMP 2006).
Children 3-5 years: The acceptable dosage forms are limited to chewables, emulsion/ suspension, powders and solution/ liquid preparations (Giacoia et al. 2008; EMA/CHMP 2006).
Children 6-11 years, Adolescents 12-17 years, and Adults 18 years and older: The
Quantities
Methods of preparation: Dry, Powdered, Non-Standardized Extracts (Dry extract*, Tincture, Fluid extract, Decoction, Decoction concentrate, Infusion, Infusion concentrate)
| Subpopulation(s)¹,² | Subpopulation(s)¹,² | Dried root (g/day) / Minimum | Dried root (g/day) / Maximum | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Children | >2-4 years | 0.06 g | 0.5 g | |
| Children | 5-9 years | 0.09 g | 0.8 g | |
| Children | 10-11 years | 0.18 g | 1.5 g | |
| Children | Adolescents | 12-14 years | 0.18 g | 1.5 g |
| 15-17 years | Adolescents | 0.36 g | 3.0 g | |
| Adults | 18 years and older | 0.36 g | 3.0 g |
¹Children and adolescent doses were calculated as a proportion of the adult dose [Source note 6]. The use of Echinacea pallida in children is supported by the following references: Bove 2001; Schilcher 1997. ²Adult dose supported by the following references: EMA 2018; Blumenthal 2003; Blumenthal et al. 2000; Blumenthal et al. 1998; Dorn et al. 1997.
*Note: Solvents allowed for the method of preparation “Non-standardized extracts (Dry extract)” as part of this reference are ethanol and/or water only.
How is it used?
Start treatment at first signs of common cold [Source note 7].
How long is it used?
Ask a healthcare professional for use beyond 8 weeks [Source note 8].
Warnings and precautions
Ask a healthcare professional if symptoms persist or worsen.
Ask a healthcare professional before use if you have a progressive systemic disease such as tuberculosis, collagenosis, multiple sclerosis, or an immune system disorder [Source note 9].
Ask a healthcare professional before use if you are taking medications to suppress the immune system [Source note 10].
When should it be avoided?
The reference does not require an additional label statement in this section. This does not establish an absence of risk.
Possible side effects
The reference does not require an additional label statement in this section. This does not establish an absence of risk.
Storage
Must be established in accordance with the requirements described in the applicable product regulations.
Preparation details
Ingredient identity, preparation requirements, and other details that define the scope of this guide.
Ingredients and preparations
| Proper name(s) | Common name(s) | Source information / Source material(s) | Source information / Part(s) | Source information / Preparation(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Echinacea pallida |
| Echinacea pallida | Root | Dry |
References: Proper name: USDA 2024; Upton 2010; Common names: USDA 2024; ITIS 2018; Gardner and McGuffin 2013; Upton 2010; Source information: Blumenthal 2003; Dorn et al. 1997.
Other ingredients
Must be chosen from the current source ingredient database and must meet the limitations outlined in the database.
Preparation and quality requirements
The finished product specifications must be established in accordance with the requirements described in the source authority source’s product quality guidance.
The active ingredient must comply with the requirements outlined in the source ingredient database.
Guide change history
Updates to this SupplementSafety.org guide.
Minor updates
Updated guide wording, organization, and source presentation. Added our editorial change history.
Initial release
Initial SupplementSafety.org guide prepared from source reference material.
Validation: Not yet completed. Editorial updates do not constitute clinical validation.
Sources
Source information
This guide organizes source material about uses, preparations, amounts, and precautions. Read the conditions alongside each statement; the information may apply only to particular preparations or populations.
The source document includes supporting references. We have not independently summarized or assessed every cited study for this guide.
- Source document version
- December 19, 2025
- Source captured
- Aug 15, 2026
- Editorial work
- Editorial preparation. Independent clinical review has not been recorded for this guide.
Full citations are available through the link above. Verification is required to open them; reading this guide does not require verification.
Taking a medication too?
Explore our supplement–medication interaction checker. Its coverage and review status are shown with the results; a missing finding does not establish that a combination is safe.