What is echinacea purpurea?

Echinacea purpurea, also called purple coneflower, is a flowering plant native to North America. It has a long history of use in traditional herbal medicine by Native American communities and later in European phytotherapy. Echinacea contains a variety of bioactive compounds including alkamides, caffeic acid derivatives (like chicoric acid), polysaccharides, and flavonoids — all of which contribute to its traditional reputation. Our Immune Complex uses the whole herb (aerial parts) as a powder, preserving the natural plant matrix.

How much echinacea is in your Immune Complex?

Our Immune Complex contains 250 mg of Echinacea purpurea whole herb powder per daily serving. This is a traditional dose aligned with typical herbal supplement usage. Unlike standardised extracts that isolate specific compounds, we use the whole herb form to capture the full range of naturally occurring phytonutrients as they exist in the plant. This approach reflects the traditional philosophy that the plant’s full profile may offer benefits beyond isolated constituents.

Is it safe to take echinacea long term?

Echinacea has a long history of traditional use and is generally well tolerated. However, as with any herbal ingredient, it is intended for use as directed. Those with autoimmune conditions, allergies to plants in the Asteraceae family (daisies, ragweed, marigolds), or who are pregnant or breastfeeding should consult a healthcare professional before use. We recommend following the dosage on the product label and taking breaks as part of a balanced supplementation routine.

Why do you combine echinacea with other ingredients?

Our Immune Complex is designed as a comprehensive formulation, combining echinacea with ginger extract, rose hip extract, zinc, selenium, and L-histidine. This multi-ingredient approach provides a broad spectrum of nutrients that support various aspects of normal immune function. Zinc and selenium contribute to normal immune function as recognised by EFSA, while ginger and rose hip add their traditional nutritional profiles — all in one convenient daily capsule.

Ingredient Deep Dive · Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea)

Echinacea

Echinacea purpurea — a botanical ingredient in Immune Complex.

Echinacea purpurea — the purple coneflower — has been used in European and North American herbal traditions since the 18th century. Our Immune Complex includes 250 mg of whole herb echinacea powder.

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What is Echinacea?

Echinacea is a genus of flowering plants in the daisy family (Asteraceae), native to North America. Three species are used in herbal medicine: Echinacea purpurea, Echinacea angustifolia, and Echinacea pallida. The aerial parts (flowers and leaves) and roots of the plant are used for their bioactive compounds, which include alkamides, caffeic acid derivatives (such as chicoric acid and echinacoside), polysaccharides, and glycoproteins. These compounds are thought to work synergistically — the whole herb profile offering more than any single isolated constituent.

Echinacea has one of the longest histories of traditional use among medicinal herbs in North America, where it was used by Native American tribes for various purposes. Today it is one of the most widely used herbal supplements in Europe and North America. The traditional use of echinacea in herbal medicine is well documented, and modern research continues to investigate its bioactive constituents and their mechanisms of action. Echinacea preparations are standardised to specific marker compounds to ensure consistent quality.

Traditional use

Echinacea has a well-established tradition of use as a herbal supplement, particularly during the colder months and seasonal transitions. Its traditional use is recognised across European and North American herbal medicine traditions.

Why we use Echinacea in Nutri-Leaf formulas

Nutri-Leaf Immune Complex includes echinacea in a formula alongside zinc, selenium, vitamin C from rose hip, and ginger. The echinacea used is standardised to ensure consistent levels of its key bioactive compounds. By combining echinacea with complementary nutrients, the formula pairs a traditional herbal profile with zinc, selenium, and vitamin C, which contribute to the normal function of the immune system.

Products containing Echinacea

The Nutri-Leaf product featuring echinacea is Immune Complex, where it works alongside zinc (10mg), selenium (50µg), vitamin C from rose hip, and ginger in one daily capsule.

Explore our Immune Support health guide to learn more about nutrients that support immune health. Learn more about our approach to herbal ingredients on the Ingredient Philosophy page.

Food supplements are not a substitute for a balanced and varied diet and a healthy lifestyle.

Ingredient profile

A traditional herbal ingredient with modern nutritional relevance.

What it is
Echinacea is a genus of flowering plants in the daisy family (Asteraceae), native to North America. Nutri-Leaf Immune Complex includes echinacea root extract.
Why we use it
Every ingredient in our formulas serves a specific nutritional purpose. What you see on the label is exactly what’s in the capsule.
German quality sourcing
All ingredients are sourced to meet German and EU pharmacopoeia quality standards, then manufactured into finished supplements in Germany by an FSSC 22000 certified food-supplement producer.
Benefits & research
Role in the body
The echinacea used in Immune Complex is standardised to ensure consistent levels of its key compounds in every batch.
Role in the formula
Nutri-Leaf Immune Complex combines echinacea with zinc, selenium, vitamin C from rose hip and ginger in a single daily capsule, alongside the nutrients with approved vitamin and mineral claims.
EU quality standards
Nutrient Reference Values (NRVs) are set by EU Regulation 1169/2011. Our formulas are designed to provide meaningful percentages of these reference values per daily serving.

Nutri-Leaf

Immunity Complex

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Frequently asked questions

Your questions about Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea) and quality.

Echinacea purpurea, also called purple coneflower, is a flowering plant native to North America. It has a long history of use in traditional herbal medicine by Native American communities and later in European phytotherapy. Echinacea contains a variety of bioactive compounds including alkamides, caffeic acid derivatives (like chicoric acid), polysaccharides, and flavonoids — all of which contribute to its traditional reputation. Our Immune Complex uses the whole herb (aerial parts) as a powder, preserving the natural plant matrix.
Our Immune Complex contains 250 mg of Echinacea purpurea whole herb powder per daily serving. This is a traditional dose aligned with typical herbal supplement usage. Unlike standardised extracts that isolate specific compounds, we use the whole herb form to capture the full range of naturally occurring phytonutrients as they exist in the plant. This approach reflects the traditional philosophy that the plant’s full profile may offer benefits beyond isolated constituents.
Echinacea has a long history of traditional use and is generally well tolerated. However, as with any herbal ingredient, it is intended for use as directed. Those with autoimmune conditions, allergies to plants in the Asteraceae family (daisies, ragweed, marigolds), or who are pregnant or breastfeeding should consult a healthcare professional before use. We recommend following the dosage on the product label and taking breaks as part of a balanced supplementation routine.
Our Immune Complex is designed as a comprehensive formulation, combining echinacea with ginger extract, rose hip extract, zinc, selenium, and L-histidine. This multi-ingredient approach provides a broad spectrum of nutrients that support various aspects of normal immune function. Zinc and selenium contribute to normal immune function as recognised by EFSA, while ginger and rose hip add their traditional nutritional profiles — all in one convenient daily capsule.

Discover German quality supplements

Traditional echinacea in a modern immune-support formula.

manufactured in Germany by an FSSC 22000 certified producer. Plant-based HPMC capsules. Free shipping from €20 across the EU.

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Echinacea

Echinacea purpurea — a botanical ingredient in Immune Complex.

What is Echinacea?

Traditional use

Why we use Echinacea in Nutri-Leaf formulas

Products containing Echinacea

A traditional herbal ingredient with modern nutritional relevance.

Benefits & research

Supplements containing Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea).

Immunity Complex

Guides about ingredients and nutrition.

Zinc and Selenium: The Dynamic Duo for Immune Health

How to Read a Supplement Label Like a Nutritionist

Seasonal Immune Support: A Practical Guide for Autumn and Winter

Your questions about Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea) and quality.

Traditional echinacea in a modern immune-support formula.

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