Oral echinacea plus vaginal hyaluronic acid: lesion regression 90% vs 67% to 71% with either alone
Riemma 2022, Medicina · Source
Echinacea
Echinacea purpurea · certified organic
The purple coneflower of the Great Plains, best known for immune support and recognized in Europe for use on the skin. In the Salve, it adds botanical support for irritated or healing skin.
203women in an early study on recurring yeast, alongside antifungal cream
EU-recognizedfor small superficial wounds
Nativeto North America's Great Plains
Why we love it
Echinacea has been used on wounds and irritated skin since long before modern medicine, first by Native peoples of the Great Plains. In the Salve, it adds botanical support for skin that is irritated or healing.
What does the research show?
Calming and healing in the lab
Echinacea compounds calmed inflammation in skin cells, stopped acne bacteria from growing, and helped skin wounds heal faster in animal studies. Root extracts were active against Candida, including strains that resisted a standard antifungal, by targeting the yeast cell wall.
Itch and dry skin
In three small open studies of echinacea creams and shampoo (not on vulvar skin), itch intensity fell from an average of 4.0 to 1.6 out of 10, and dryness improved in most people. There was no comparison group, and the studies were funded by the manufacturer.
Recurring yeast infections, alongside antifungals
A 1986 German study of 203 women gave all of them an antifungal cream, and some also took echinacea by mouth or injection. Six months later, yeast had come back in 61% of those on the cream alone, compared with 5% to 17% of those also given echinacea. The original paper couldn't be found online, so these numbers come from a later summary, and the echinacea in that study was not applied to the skin.
Mouth ulcers
In 50 people with recurring mouth ulcers, echinacea tablets meant fewer ulcers, less pain and fewer recurrences over 6 months.
Vaginal health, alongside other care
In a 2022 Italian trial of 153 women with mild cervical cell changes, those taking oral echinacea plus a vaginal hyaluronic acid gel had better results than either alone.
Studies
Human study tested in people Lab study a starting point, not proof
Echinacea tablets for recurring mouth ulcers: fewer ulcers, less pain and fewer recurrences over 6 months than no treatment.
Khozeimeh 2018, Open Dent J · Source
Echinacea creams and shampoo: less itch, dryness and redness over 2 to 4 weeks
Kilic 2018, Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol · Source
Antifungal cream plus oral or injected echinacea: yeast recurrence 5% to 17% vs 61% with cream alone (numbers from a secondary summary)
Coeugniet 1986, Therapiewoche · Source
Compounds from E. purpurea calmed inflammation in skin cells, and applied to skin they eased the symptoms of atopic eczema.
Oláh 2017, J Dermatol Sci · Source
Echinacea extract stopped the growth of acne bacteria and reversed the inflammation they triggered in skin cells.
Sharma 2011, Phytother Res · Source
Root extracts were active against most of the fungi tested, including Candida albicans isolates that resisted the antifungal amphotericin B.
Merali 2003, Pharm Biol · Source
Echinacea extracts targeted the yeast cell wall, a likely reason for their antifungal activity.
Mir-Rashed 2010, Med Mycol · Source
Echinacea extracts inhibited Candida yeasts, and light made them more active
Binns 2000, Planta Med · Source
Skin wounds treated with an echinacea ointment healed faster, with smaller wounds by days 6 and 9.
EMA assessment report 2008 · Source
How has it been used traditionally?
The European Medicines Agency recognizes echinacea preparations applied to the skin for traditional use on small superficial wounds. ESCOP, the European scientific herbal cooperative, lists recurrent infections of the urinary and genital tract among its uses for oral echinacea. Germany's Commission E approved oral echinacea as supportive care for recurring urinary tract infections.
Is echinacea safe on the vulva?
Echinacea is gentle for most people. It's in the daisy family, so if you're allergic to ragweed, chamomile or other daisy-family plants, patch test on your inner arm for 24 hours first.
Last reviewed: November 2026.
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Reviewed by the Momotaro Apotheca medical team, including OB-GYNs and naturopathic doctors. Educational information, not medical advice. All ingredient research