afc97589_Health_Information_Library__Why
[Used for] 1 Star HIV and AIDS Support Refer to label instructions [Why] 
Supplementing with echinacea may increase immune activity against HIV. A controversy has surrounded the use of echinacea in people infected with HIV. Test tube studies initially showed that echinacea's polysaccharides could increase levels of a substance that might stimulate HIV to spread.27 However, these results have not been shown to occur when echinacea is taken orally by humans.28 In fact, one double-blind trial found that Echinacea angustifolia root (1 gram three times per day by mouth) greatly increased immune activity against HIV, while placebo had no effect.29 Further studies are needed to determine the safety of using echinacea in HIV-positive people.
Health Information Library