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General description	Plant extract that boosts immune system.
Found	- Echinacea purpurea - Echinacea angustifolia
Anti-aging role	- immunostimulant - protect against virus infections, especially against flu and common cold - reduce symptoms of cold and flu - prevent and reduce symptoms of Herpes symplex and zoster infection - prevent cancer - decrease bad influence of stress on immune system - beneficial effect on urinary tract infections
Deficiency symptoms	Not possible.
Therapeutic doses	Not established.
Maximum safe level	- time limit for using echinacea (dose about 100 mg/day) is 8 weeks without a brake (immunosupression) - time limit for high doses (over 200 - 300 mg/day) is 2 weeks without a brake - small doses (about 50 mg/day) can be used long-term
Side effects	- rarely - skin rash - people with ambrosia, aster and other plant allergies can develop an allergy when using echinacea supplements
Contraindications	- progressive system diseases - HIV infection and AIDS - autoimmune diseases - pregnancy, lactating - children under 1 year of age
Interactions	- immunosupressants - caffeine
Composition formulas	- mostly as combination with natural sources of vitamin C and other plant extracts

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