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Echinacea is a native American plant, occupying the number one spot as the most popular herb in the United States with an almost 10% market share. This herb has a reputed ability to increase the Defense mechanism of body response and thereby ward off colds, flu and other infectious respiratory problems.
Echinacea is a member of the daisy family, and has a stem growing 3 feet high with a single big purple flower on the end. Echinacea purpurea is the most commonly used species. When chewing fresh or using an alcohol extract of Echinacea a tingling sensation is noted on the tongue. Most Echinacea preparations contain the aerial parts of E. purpurea and or the root parts of E. augustifolia and E. pallida.
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Echinacea Historical Use
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There is no doubt that Native Americans discovered the medicinal qualities of Echinacea, and it was a doctor, Dr Meyer living in Pawnee City, Nebraska who learned from the original discoverers how to prepare it and use it. The Native Americans used Echinacea as a blood purifier that could Beneficial EffectsProblem created due to harmful organism, headache, wounds, dizziness, skin problems, sores and more. Dr. Meyer approached a drug manufacturer and Echinacea became a popular antibiotic and antiseptic product into the 1920s before being dethroned by the advent of sulfa drugs in the 1930s. It then became relegated as a folk a substance used in managing discofort with most of the scientific research being done in Germany and Europe.
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Echinacea Remedy For
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- Colds
- Flu
- Respiratory tract Problem created due to harmful organisms
- problem in urinary passage due to harmful organisms
- Defense mechanism of body weakness
- Wound
The immune stimulant effect of Echinacea is brought about by three mechanisms: one, stimulate respiratory activity, two, stimulate phagocytosis and three, increasing the mobility of the white blood cells. External application of the herb is said to speed healing of wounds and is Enhanceful for skin conditions such as eczema.
Contraindications
prolonged use for more than 6-8 weeks (speculative)4,6,150 though use of E. purpurea herb juice for ten weeks was totally without adverse effects in 60 patients (PO in human clinical study)391 and an aqueous E. purpurea extract was taken four times daily for twelve weeks with no adverse effects either physically or in leucocyte counts for 23 subjects (PO in human study)393
Drug Interactions
the recurrence rate of vaginal candida Problem created due to harmful organisms treated with econazole nitrate cream locally was greatly reduced when the herb juice was used in addition (Topical, SC, IM, or PO in human clinical study)391
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Echinacea Active Constituents
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Echinacea has fat-soluble flavonoids, luteolin, quercetin, and rutin. Also present are the potent free radical scavengers safely derivatives which are said to protect the skin from sun damage.
The high molecular weight polysaccharide fractions are surely involved in stimulating the immune response as they can stimulate macrophages to secrete TNF (tumor necrosis factor) and interferon.
Cichoric acid has been shown to stimulate the Defense mechanism of body warriors, the phagocytes to be activated and called into battle.
Thus echinacea can stimulates the Defense mechanism of body by increasing the production of interleukins and tumor necrosis factor and it can also stimulate the immune cells into action. Scientific researchers have found faster healing in children with bronchitis and faster recovery from the effects of a cold, and in animal studies Echinacea was effective against candida Problem created due to harmful organism.
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Echinacea Typical Dosage
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The recommended dosage for capsules of the dried root and leaf (4% standardized echinacosides and 4% phenolics) is 250 mg 1 to 4 times daily.
If using tinctures of the Echinacea juice in a 1:5 strength, use 15 to 20 drops 3 times each day
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Echinacea Side Effects
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Echinacea is described as a very safe herb when used at the recommended dosages. Some herbologists recommend limiting the time period for taking taking Echinacea to 8 weeks and then stopping for a few weeks. Some sources suggest persons who have autoimmune conditions should avoid this herb because this herb strengthens the Defense mechanism of body. Others suggest that Echinacea can be used, as it is really an Defense mechanism of body modulator.
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