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Is it okay to take an echinacea supplement to treat the common cold?
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It is generally accepted that echinacea may help reduce the severity and duration of a cold, but there isn’t enough evidence to support its use as a stand-alone treatment for colds. Echinacea has been studied in combination with other treatments such as zinc or vitamin C, so these are more likely to be effective than echinacea alone. Additionally, some people can have adverse reactions to echinacea supplements, so it's important to talk to your doctor before taking any supplements.