the Stakeholder Panel on Dietary Supplements

Background • The genus Echinacea contains nine species ( E. angustifolia , E. atrorubens ,  E. laevigata , E. pallida , E. paradoxa , E. purpurea , E. sanguinea , E. simulata ,  E. tennessensis ) • The main Echinacea used in commerce are as follows: • Echinacea angustifolia root • Echinacea pallida  root • Echinacea purpurea fresh herb,  • Echinacea purpurea dried herb • Echinacea purpurea rhizome and root • Therapeutic indications include the short‐term prevention and  treatment of common cold (oral intake), or topically for the  treatment of small superficial wounds

Background (continued)

• The phytochemicals responsible for the  immunostimulant properties of Echinacea spp.  are not known • The following compound classes have been  linked to bioactivity: – Alkylamides (alkamides) – Phenolic compounds  – Polysaccharides – LPS and lipoproteins produced by bacterial  endophytes