Only 5% of included children had been administered Echinacea or vitamin C in the 3 months prior inclusion, the remainder were therapy-naïve.

Echinacea: recommendations for its use in prophylaxis and treatment of upper respiratory tract infections.This might be explained by the fact that none of the participants received pure placebo and even the group with vitamin C may have expected some benefit. Besides, the right dosage of echinacea for children depends on the child’s age, weight, medical condition, type of echinacea product, and mode of use, that is, oral or topical (5). Presence and severity of the following symptoms ‘runny nose’, ‘blocked nose’, ‘sneezing’, ‘headache and aching limbs’, ‘sore throat’, ‘cough’, ‘chilliness’, ‘disturbed sleep quality of the child’, ‘malaise’, ‘need for additional care-giving’ were rated as “absent” [0], “mild” [1], “moderate” [2], “severe” [3] or “severity not assessable” [X] [ 17]. Previously taken concomitant medication could be continued without restriction, unless they lead to exclusion at V1 (see below).

Risks of side effects in older children and adults are reduced because they weigh more and in general catch fewer colds,”​ it said. Echinacea or purple cornflower is often used as a natural remedy for upper respiratory tract infections and other illnesses, such as the cold, flu, and fever in children. Several laboratory and animal studies suggest that echinacea contains active substances that boost immune function, relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and have hormonal, antiviral, and antioxidant effects. Upon observation of new respiratory symptoms suggesting a cold in their child, parents contacted the physician for confirmation of diagnosis and started with symptom assessment on e-diaries.Breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if echinacea is safe to use when breast-feeding. The UK medicine regulator has warned that the anti-cold and flu herb, Echinacea, is not suitable for children under the age of 12 due to potentially “severe” allergic reactions. e., Echinaforce Junior tablets) for the long-term prevention of RTIs, cold days, influenza and other enveloped virus infections, RTI complication and antibiotic usage in children 4 – 12 years.