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Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea) is also known as American cone flower, black susan, comb flower, pale coneflower, and snakeroot. Echinacea is perhaps best known for treating upper respiratory infections, but it is also believed to have some ability to stimulate the immune system and fight inflammation, which could make it useful in supporting prostate health and in treating prostatitis. According to the authors of The Peoples Pharmacy Guide to Home and Herbal Remedies, Echinacea is commonly used in Germany to treat prostatitis. (Graedon 1999)
A study published in Phytotherapy Research in October 2009 showed promise for Echinacea in treating benign prostatic hypertrophy. The study involved rats with benign prostate hypertrophy that were given an extract of Echinacea for 4 and 8 weeks, and the animals showed a significant reduction in their prostate mass as well as a reversal of the degenerative changes in the gland itself. (Skaudickas 2009)
Echinacea is commercially available as capsules, extract, tincture, expressed juice, and tea. A common dosing is 300 mg of standardized extract taken three times daily for 7 to 10 days. (University of Maryland) Side effects are not common but can include nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, heartburn, fever, dry mouth, sore throat, insomnia, dizziness, abdominal pain, and joint or muscle pain.
References
Graedon, Joe and Terry. The People’s Pharmacy Guide to Home and Herbal Remedies. 1999
Skaudickas D et al. The effect of Echinacea purpurea (L) Moench extract on experimental prostate hyperplasia. Phytother Res 2009 Oct; 23(10): 1474-78.
University of Maryland Medical Center: http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/echinacea-000239.htm
