Echinacea is a medicinal herb useful for immune support. It is known as Echinacea purpurea Purple Coneflowers.
It reduces or prevents some common diseases and ailments.
Echinacea also boosts the immune system and provides support to many systems of the body. It generates activity in the immune system stimulating the production of T-cells, as well as lymphocytic activity.
It is a potent natural antiviral and contains compounds that hinder bacteria and viruses from penetrating healthy cells.
Echinacea is considered a broad-spectrum antibiotic that inhibits a broad range of viruses, bacteria, and fungi.
There are different species of the echinacea plant used to make medicine from its flowers, leaves, and roots. The various species of Echinacea plants have many biologically medicinal active components.
The Echinacea plants contain phytochemicals in a high concentration of vitamin C. In addition to selenium, polysaccharides, glycoproteins, antioxidants, alkyl amides, and other compounds.
One of its compounds is Alkylamides, which reported having several biological pharmacological effects. Including immune modulators, antimicrobial, antiviral, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic activities.
Echinacea contains antioxidants. The antioxidants are molecules that help defend your cells against oxidative stress. Some of these antioxidants are rich in flavonoids.
Flavonoids help your body ward off everyday toxins, harmful molecules and fight off free radicals. They decrease your risk of some chronic health conditions. Flavonoids rein in inflammatory reactions and help your body function more efficiently.
Echinacea Health Benefits:
- Alleviate pain,
- Reduce inflammation,
- Improve skin problems,
- Treat upper respiratory issues.
- A rapid cure to the common cold
- Lower blood sugar levels.
- Shorten recovery time faster from illness.
Echinacea is available over the counter in many forms. You can find it as a supplement, dry powdered extract, capsule, tablets, tea, liquid extract tinctures, ointments even drops.
The products are decidedly variable, and this makes it hard to set a standard recommended dosage. The suggested dosages vary with the form of echinacea used. It is prudent to follow the instructions that come with your specific supplement.
Echinacea is considered safe and well-tolerated for short-term use. However, it may not be safe for people with certain health conditions or those taking certain medications. It might increase the effects or side effects of some. Echinacea might change how the body breaks down some medications.
When taken at suggested doses, echinacea causes few side effects. But, some reported side effects include stomach pain, nausea, shortness of breath, sore throat, drowsiness, rashes, itchy skin, and hives. Sometimes echinacea can cause allergic reactions.
There seems to be wide-ranging medicinal value stemming from echinacea. However, since this herb has many chemical components, it is prudent to talk with your doctor before taking echinacea.