Echinacea

Echinacea is one of the most widely used plants in the United States today. The prickly scales on Echinacea's big conical seed head like the spines of an enraged hedgehog (echinos is Greek for hedgehog).

People nowadays use echinacea to relieve symptoms including fever, sore throat (pharyngitis), and cough, as well as to decrease the duration of the common cold and flu. Echinacea is also recommended by several herbalists to help improve the immune system and fight infections.

General Uses

Echinacea may include active chemicals that reduce inflammation, increase immune function, ease pain, and have antioxidant effects, hormonal, and antiviral, according to several laboratory and animal studies. As a result, echinacea may be prescribed to treat urinary tract infections, ear infections (also known as otitis media), vaginal yeast (candida) infections, hay fever (also known as allergic rhinitis), athlete's foot, sinusitis, and slow-healing wounds by expert herbalists.

Plant Description

Echinacea is a perennial plant native to North America's midwestern area. It features long branches, purple blooms or solitary pink, and a purple or brown center cone.

The huge cone is a seed head with stiff comb-like sharp spines.

What Is It Made Of?

Echinacea includes several compounds that contribute to its medicinal properties. Polysaccharides, glycoproteins, alkamides, volatile oils, and flavonoids are among them.

The compounds found in the root differ significantly from those found in the plant's higher parts. The roots, for example, have a high concentration of volatile oils (odorous chemicals), but the plant's above-ground sections have a higher concentration of polysaccharides (substances that are known to activate the immune system). The positive effects of echinacea are due to a mixture of these active compounds, while research indicates that the above-ground section of Echinacea purpurea is the most beneficial.

How to Take It Pediatric

To determine pediatric dose, see your child's doctor or an herbal practitioner who specialized in children.

For children, use alcohol-free recipes.

Adult

For general immune system stimulation, during colds, flu, upper respiratory tract Take echinacea 3 times a day until you feel well, but not for more than 10 days, for general immune system activation during colds, flu, upper respiratory tract infections, or bladder infections.

Echinacea should not be taken on an empty stomach. Take it with a meal or a big glass of water instead.

Slow-healing wounds should be treated with lotions or ointments as needed.

If you have any concerns, speak with your doctor.

Precautions

Herbs have been used for centuries to help strengthen the body and heal sickness. Herbs, on the other hand, include active ingredients that might cause negative side effects and interact with other herbs, vitamins, and pharmaceuticals. As a result, you should only take herbs under the guidance of a health care practitioner who is informed about botanical medicine.

Stomach discomfort, nausea, dizziness, and dry eyes are all minor side effects.

One person had erythema nodosum (a painful skin disease) after using echinacea to treat the flu, according to one study.

Echinacea may induce temporary numbness and tingling on the tongue when taken by mouth. If you have any questions, talk with your doctor.

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