Echinacea is believed to have a range of biomedical effects, including anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and immune-boosting properties. Some studies suggest that the plant's compounds could potentially help in the fight against cancer by enhancing the body's immune response to abnormal cells. Certain laboratory studies have shown that echinacea extracts can inhibit the growth of cancer cells in vitro, although these results have not yet been consistently replicated in human trials.