Echinacea

1. Wipe or rinse out the mouth.
2. Give a serving size of water to drink.
3. Call 1-800-222-1222 for additional instructions.

Quick Facts About Echinacea:

Echinacea (also called coneflower) is a flowering plant native to North America. Native Americans used it in traditional medicine hundreds of years ago. Now, it is promoted as an over-the-counter herbal supplement for the common cold or flu and to help relieve pain and inflammation as a topical product. There are studies showing echinacea may slightly reduce the chances of catching a cold, but research does not show it shortening the length of a cold.  As with all supplements, the FDA does not approve echinacea for these conditions.

What to do if your child ingests echinacea supplements?

Echinacea appears to be safe for most adults to take on a short-term basis.  If a child gets into a bottle of echinacea, it is not expected to cause serious symptoms. With larger amounts, the most common side effects may include nausea and stomach pain. Some individuals are allergic to echinacea, and anaphylactic reactions have occurred.

If you find your child with an opened bottle of echinacea, do not panic.  Take the supplement away from them, wipe out the mouth with a soft, wet cloth, and give them some water to drink.  If problems start or you have questions, call the Missouri Poison Center right away at 1-800-222-1222. The poison center is open all day, every day for poisoning emergencies and questions.

Learn more

If you would like to find out more about how to protect yourself and your loved ones from possible poison exposures, visit our First Aid for Poisoning page. Learn more about the four different routes of posing that can occur and how to react to each. We have first-aid videos in the event of swelling, skin contact, eye exposure, or inhalation.

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