I have been taking echinacea for a cold, starting three or four days ago. I have never taken it before. Tonight I seem to have additional symptoms such as sneezing, burning throat, and itchy ears. Actually, my cold seemed to be getting much better. I am allergic to many plants. I am wondering if echinacea could be triggering these symptoms.

Unlike pharmaceutical companies, manufacturers of herbs and dietary supplements are not required to report adverse events, such as allergic reactions. Therefore there are minimal data on side effects of products such as echinacea. Sneezing, itching and throat burning could certainly be allergic reactions, but could also be part of the cold that you're treating with the echinacea. You have two choices, really. You could simply avoid echinacea in the future. Alternatively if the reaction that you've had hasn't involved any lightheadedness, rash, difficulty breathing, swelling in the mouth or throat, or other potentially dangerous symptoms, and you plan to take echinacea again, you could try taking a little echinacea after your cold clears to see if it elicits the same symptoms. I'd recommend that this only be done under the care of an allergist. If you react with the same symptoms, the likelihood is that you're allergic to echinacea, and I'd recommend not taking any more.

Good luck, Dr. White

-- Dr. Martha Vetter White, MD, is cofounder and director of research at the Institute for Asthma &Allergy in the Washington, DC metropolitan area, one of the nation's most active clinical research centers devoted to allergy, asthma, and sinusitis.

First published May 3, 2004
Last updated June 23, 2008