Echinacea to Help Fight Colds and the Flu

Updated on November 3, 2026

Summary: Echinacea for Colds and the Flu

In this column, Lynn Goneau, a naturopath from La Boite à Grains, discusses echinacea, a plant native to North America that has traditionally been used during cold season. She explains how it can be used to support the immune system, particularly at the first sign of symptoms, while emphasizing the importance of sleep, nutrition, and stress management.

She also discusses the various available forms and A. Vogel’s Echinaforce line, emphasizing the need to follow the specific recommendations for the chosen product.

1) A Plant Associated with Cold Season

Recognizable by its purple flowers, echinacea is a plant native to North America that has traditionally been used to treat respiratory tract infections.

2) When to use it?

Lynn explains that it can be used preventatively or at the first signs of a cold: a scratchy throat, a runny nose, or the feeling that you’re coming down with something. She notes that echinacea provides support but does not make a cold go away instantly.

3) Lifestyle Habits That Remain Essential

Sleep, a balanced diet, and stress management remain important for supporting the body’s natural defenses. Lynn also reminds readers to follow the product’s recommended usage instructions.

4) Various Formats to Suit Your Preferences

Echinacea is available in forms such as tinctures, sprays, tablets, and herbal tea. Lynn highlights A. Vogel’s Echinaforce line, made with organic echinacea, which offers various formats as well as “Junior” versions designed for children.

About the Author

Lynn Goneau, Certified Naturopath

Specializes in:

• Digestive Health
• Hormonal Health
• Stress and Fatigue
• Memory and Concentration
• Weight management

Frédéric Bisson, radio host on 104.7 FM

Host at the Cogeco network’s 104.7 FM radio station. Frédéric Bisson has been hosting the show *L’Outaouais Maintenant* from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. every weekday since February 27, 2023.

Transcript

Frédéric Bisson - Host, 104.7 FM:

So it’s November now, and November means the return of colds, stuffy noses, and throats that start to feel scratchy. And today, Lynn Goneau, a naturopath at La Boite à Grains, is going to help us with that. Hello, Ms. Goneau.

Lynn Goneau - Naturopath at La Boite à Grains:

Hello, Fred.

Frédéric Bisson - Host, 104.7FM:

It’s a plant we’re actually quite familiar with. I think it’s common to find it in our flower beds, and it’s called echinacea.

Lynn Goneau - Naturopath at La Boite à Grains:

And indeed, echinacea is a plant that’s really associated with cold season right now—we all recognize it. It’s native to North America, but it’s been used for a long time as a medicinal plant, particularly for respiratory infections.

Frédéric Bisson - 104.7FM Host:

It looks like a purple daisy.

Lynn Goneau - Naturopath at La Boite à Grains:

Yes, actually, I think it becomes especially interesting once you learn when to use it, Fred. Because we’ve all been there, you know—you wake up in the morning with a slight tickle in your throat. Then you tell yourself it’s nothing, it’ll go away. Then the next day, your nose starts running. Then two days later, you’re walking around with your box of Kleenex under your arm, as if it’s become your best friend.

Frédéric Bisson - 104.7FM Host:

Well, I’ve heard that you have to plan ahead. It’s hard to predict when you’re going to get sick, but that’s the idea. I think you shouldn’t wait until you’re sick to take echinacea.

Lynn Goneau - Naturopath at La Boite à Grains:

No. In fact, traditionally, echinacea is used preventatively or even as soon as the first symptoms appear to support our immune system. That’s an important point. Echinacea isn’t a magic wand. You don’t take a single dose and expect your cold to disappear. Rather, it’s a herb used to support the immune system during the time of year when we’re more exposed to respiratory viruses. So when you start to feel those familiar early signs—a tickling throat, a runny nose, or the sensation that a cold is setting in—that’s usually when you start taking echinacea.

Frédéric Bisson - Host, 104.7FM:

It’s a bit like a small wildfire—when you’re just a step ahead. It’s interesting because it’s a plant that’s truly native to this region. So what does it do for our immune system?

Lynn Goneau - Naturopath from La Boite à Grains:

Think of your immune system as your daily defense team—it monitors what enters your body. And it reacts when it encounters something that shouldn’t be there. The idea behind using echinacea is to support the body’s natural response. But obviously, it doesn’t work on its own. If you’re sleeping four hours a night, or you’re stressed out, or you’re snacking all day long, you’re eventually going to need some backup. Okay?

Frédéric Bisson - Host, 104.7FM:

So, can we basically take it every day? It might be easier to do it that way, especially during cold and flu season.

Lynn Goneau - Naturopath at La Boite à Grains:

Yes, absolutely. It can definitely be part of your daily routine during cold season. You can use it preventatively to support the immune system, but it’s also particularly helpful as soon as you start feeling the first signs of a cold. The key is really simple: just follow the recommendations for the product you’ve chosen.

Frédéric Bisson - 104.7FM Host:

I don’t think you can overdose on it, but you still have to take the right dose. Yes, that’s right. Because there are several forms available.

Lynn Goneau - Naturopath at La Boite à Grains:

Yes, that’s what’s great about this plant—it comes in liquid tincture form, as a spray, as a tablet, and even as herbal tea. Someone who doesn’t like swallowing tablets might prefer a liquid form. Like me. I really enjoy a nice herbal tea in the evening. It’s wonderful.

Frédéric Bisson - 104.7FM Host:

But when you say “tincture,” you buy it in a bottle. It’s already prepared, right? Okay, tell us about your star product—the one you actually prefer?

Lynn Goneau - Naturopath at La Boite à Grains:

Yes, I really like the Echinaforce line from A. Vogel. It’s a company with over 100 years of experience that uses organic echinacea extracts. That’s what I love about it. As I mentioned earlier, it’s available in various forms, including tablets and lozenges, and there are also Junior versions suitable for children.

Frédéric Bisson - 104.7FM Host:

I know that lozenges really help me when I have a sore throat. So, Lynn Goneau, let’s remind listeners that if they have a slight cold or something like that, it’s time to make an appointment with you.

Lynn Goneau - Naturopath at La Boite à Grains:

Oh, yes, that’s super easy. Just check out the La Boite à Grains website. All my contact information is there—just send me a quick email. I’ll suggest a time slot. Then we can go over all your symptoms. We can basically look at everything going on with your health.

Frédéric Bisson - Host, 104.7FM:

Lynn, have a great week—we’ll talk again next week.