Dear Tami,

I could find no reference supporting the safety of echinacea in pregnancy,
breastfeeding, infancy, or childhood.  I had difficulty finding evidence of
safety in adults.  I'm obviously looking in the wrong place.  It is possible
that Medline does not reference journals that publish toxicology of plant
extracts.  Perhaps the FDA or HPB have approved or investigated the substance.

Most drugs have not been formally investigated in newborn infants so their
safety is inferred from clinical use, toxicology and case reports.  I
personally would be wary about recommending a substance for pregnant women
or lactation without some evidence of safety in young children.  I would
appreciate being enlightened on a source for such information as it is not
unusual to be asked by parents about the safety of non-proprietary or
non-prescription drugs.

Thanks in advance.

Khalid

Khalid Aziz
Memorial University of Newfoundland