Echinacea
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There are nine species of Echinacea, all belonging to the botanical family Asteraceae, and all native to the United States and South Canada. The name stems from the Greek word echino which means spiny because of the plant’s spiny central disk. And because of its purple flowers, Echinacea is also known as purple coneflower. Native Americans used it as a herbal remedy more than any other plant. It is the best known herb as well as one of the most researched ones for stimulating the immune system. Today, millions of Americans and Europeans take Echinacea against colds, flu, and other infectious diseases.
Echinacea Health Benefits
Echinacea increases the activity of the immune system by stimulating the overall activity of white blood cells to attack invading organisms. While antibiotics are only lethal to bacteria, Echinacea helps the immune cells to attack bacteria, viruses, and abnormal (cancerous) cells, and therefore works more efficiently than any antibiotic. Echinacea speeds up wound healing as well as recovery from illness. Externally it is very effective for inflammatory skin conditions, such as psoriasis and eczema. It is further believed to increase restistance to bronchitis, herpes, candida, and other infectious conditions.
Echinacea Research
In more than 500 scientific studies, Echinacea was found to increase the number and activity of white blood cells as well as anti-tumor cells. It was further found to promote T-cell activity, to stimulate new tissue growth for wound healing, to reduce inflammatory skin conditions and inflammation in arthritis, to help prevent bacteria from accessing healthy cells, and to have anti-viral and anti-fungal properties.
Echinacea Uses
Traditionally, it was the Echinacea root which was used as a herbal remedy, but today almost all parts of the plant are used. There are a number of Echinacea products on the market, such as tablets, capsules, dried root or herb, liquid extract, powder, and also creams and gels. Recommended dosages for liquid extracts are 1.5 - 15 ml a day, depending on the strength of the extract, for tablets, capsules, and tea, the recommended dosage is 1.5 - 6 g a day.
Echinacea Risks and Safety
Echinacea has a good safety record and is normally well tolerated. There is no known toxicity. Echinacea should not be taken by patients who suffer from progressive systemic and auto-immune disorders, such as connective tissue disorders, for example lupus erythematosus, tuberculosis, and leicosis. Echinacea should not be used together with other known hepatoxic drugs, such as anabolic steroids, methotrexate, amiodarone, or ketoconazole.
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