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Feverfew has long been used for the treatment of fever, arthritis, migraine, menstrual problems
and other disorders. More recently, it attracted much popular and scientific interest resulting
from favourable reports concerning its use for the prophylactic treatment of migraine headaches.

Echinacea

Three species are currently important. Roots of Echinacea augustifolia DC., the narrow-leaved
coneflower, and E. pallida Nutt., the pale cornflower and the whole plant of E. purpurpea (the
purple coneflower) which is much used for the commercial preparation of herbal medicaments,
it being the largest of the three species and easy to cultivate.

Constituents:

Water-soluble immunostimulating polysaccharides (4-O-methylglucuronylarabinoxylans, acidic
arabinorhamno-galactans)
Volatile oil.
Flavonoids: ferulic acid derivatives including cichoriic acid, cichoriic acid methyl ester and others.
Alkamides.
Polyenes.

Actions / Uses:

Echinacea activity is directed towards the nonspecific cellular immune system. The herb exerts
anti-inflammatory, immunostimulating, bactericidal, and wound healing actions, depending on
the type of plant species.

Contraindications / Drug Interactions:

Because of a possible activation of autoimmune aggressions and other overreactive immune
responses, the drug should not be administered in the presence of multiple sclerosis, leukosis,
collagen disease, AIDS or tuberculosis. Echinacea may interfere with drugs that have
immunosuppressant effects. Interaction may occur when using cyclosporine or other
antirejection drugs. Echinacea may also interfere with the cancer chemotherapeutic effect of
corticosteroids.

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