MHRA advises Echinacea not be given to children under 12

[Guest guest]

I attach a link to their press release below:

http://www.mhra.gov.uk/NewsCentre/Pressreleases/CON180627

I immediately took a look at HMPC's latest assessment documents for Echinacea

angustifolia radix and Echinacea purpurea radix, dated 29/05/12 and 10/02/11

respectively. I wanted to ascertain if there was any new research that might

inform our practice as herbalists in this matter. However, I couldn't find

anything explicit. The MHRA have said themselves that it " is not a serious

safety issue " but with the way it is being reported in the press, concerned

parents are likely to ask us about it. It may be that in the context of a proper

consultation with a trained herbalist, who will screen each patient for atopy,

asthma, allergic tendencies etc., there is no need to change tack with regard to

prescribing Echinacea to children under 12.

However, if anyone knows of a reason for us as practitioners to change our

approach, or knows a bit more of the background to this change in decision by

MHRA and HMPC, it would be very useful to know?

Many thanks,