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Page 62
| Toxicity, Contraindications and Other Guidelines |
| Because of echinacea's widespread popularity and its indiscriminate inclusion in many multivitamins, herbal products and fruit juice, it is important to know about its potential for toxicity. There are various issues of concern regarding toxicology. What long-term effects may the herb have? What are the side effects? Will it interfere with conventional medications or with other herbs? What about using it for children or in pregnancy and lactation? With few exceptions, there is a large measure of safety associated with the majority of commercially available herbs, including echinacea. This is due to the fact that many of the more powerful herbs, such as aconite, gelsemium or poke root, which possess a high potential for toxicity, are not commonly used except by experienced herbalists. |
| The Eclectics, who used echinacea extensively for 50 years, considered it free of side effects when used within its normal dosage range. The experience of modern herbalists is similar. Symptoms associated with excessive consumption of echinacea reported by the respected Eclectic physician Harvey Wickes Felter include headache, joint pain, dry tongue, reduced temperature and gastrointestinal disturbances |
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