Echinacea, a popular herbal remedy, has long been touted for its potential benefits in preventing and treating colds. Numerous studies have been conducted to investigate its efficacy, and the findings have been mixed thus far. Some studies suggest that certain preparations of Echinacea may have a modest effect in reducing the duration and severity of Cold symptoms, as well as potentially preventing colds. However, other studies have found no substantial evidence to support these claims.
One study published in the New England Journal of Medicine in 2005 examined the effects of Echinacea on the common Cold The researchers found that participants who took Echinacea extract had a slight reduction in the duration and severity of Cold symptoms compared to those who received a placebo. However, the effect size was relatively small, and more research is needed to fully understand the potential benefits of Echinacea in preventing or alleviating colds.
