Echinacea and the Common Cold: Does it Work?

Echinacea and the Common Cold: Does it Work? Taking Echinacea did not significantly alter the duration or severity of the common cold, although small benefits were seen, a randomized, carefully blinded trial found. Mean duration of symptoms was 6.34 days in patients taking Echinacea in a blinded fashion and 6.76 days in patients who knew they were receiving the herb. It was concluded that Echinacea is likely to have “only a small beneficial effect” for treating colds. Annals of Internal Medicine, Dec 21, 2010.