Echinacea plant – Effects and health benefits of coneflowers
If you've been looking for antiviral herbs that help fight many diseases, you've probably come across the Echinacea plant. Using the pink or purple sun hat could have a positive health impact from colds to cancer. Echinacea purpurea stimulates the overall activity of the cells that are responsible for fighting all types of infections. Unlike antibiotics that directly attack bacteria, this allows our own immune cells to attack these bacteria, viruses and abnormal cells, including cancer cells, more efficiently.
Coneflower Echinacea plant as a remedy
The most frequently proven echinacea effect is the stimulation of phagocytosis. That means the consumption of invading organisms by white blood cells and lymphocytes. So this is a powerful plant that is currently booming in the natural health market. But why is the popularity of this attractive flower growing? Because the Echinacea plant benefits our health and well-being like few other plant varieties on the planet. But can a tea made of purple flowers really fight off colds and diseases so effectively? Some people believe that it can even relieve pain, prevent cancer, and eliminate skin problems. However, the scientific community does not agree on the benefits, and some experts have raised concerns about the side effects.
Formerly known as an alternative method for preventing colds, Echinacea is now suitable for a wide range of applications – from fighting cancer to relieving pain. You also don't have to buy such products all year round to prevent illness. Instead, try making your own extract to take advantage of the healing properties of the Echinacea plant. You can even use it to treat external wounds. The active ingredient can kill harmful germs and slow or even stop the multiplication of such bacteria. In addition, its effect stimulates tissue regeneration and supports the body in the fight against inflammation.
Extract for tea or food supplements
As a herbal drink, the most common way to make tea is from the Echinacea plant. Other varieties are also suitable as ingredients in some tea preparations and extracts. Usually, people use the plant's purple, cone-shaped flower dried or freshly cut to make tea. However, you can also use the roots and leaves for this. Echinacea is a perennial plant that typically grows in North America and Europe. This species is closely related to sunflowers, daisies and broomweed. The side effect of taste when drinking this tea is often described as a tingling sensation on the tongue. In fact, some manufacturers of herbal products consider this quality as evidence of the effectiveness of the herb. Echinacea is usually combined with mint or other ingredients such as lemongrass to get a more pleasant taste. However, if you don't like this, you can take the remedy in the form of tablets or tinctures.
Before 1950 and the introduction of antibiotics, the Echinacea plant had a respected medical status. As the healthcare industry shifted, antibiotics became a hit, and the now famous herb lost much of its esteem. Most people do not know that the chemicals in the root differ significantly from those in the upper part of the plant. When analyzing the roots of purple coneflower, it can be seen that they contain high concentrations of volatile oils. The parts that grow above the ground tend to contain more polysaccharides that are known to trigger an immune response. The extract from the Echinacea plant is essentially a tincture from the upper part.
Important components
Indeed, many of the chemical components of Echinacea are powerful immune stimulators and can provide significant therapeutic value. Some of the ones you are probably familiar with are essential oils, flavonoids, inulin, polysaccharides and vitamin C. In addition to reports of the plant's nutritious extracts, we have learned that the part of the plant that grows above ground is the most effective . Interestingly, dietary supplements are regulated by the government in Germany, and above-ground parts of Echinacea purpurea are actually approved as natural remedies for urinary tract infections, upper respiratory tract infections, colds, and slow-healing wounds.
Health benefits of the Echinacea plant
Although there seem to be infinite benefits from the coneflower, some advantages are particularly noticeable. There are also fascinating research results related to the medicinal value of the phytochemicals it contains. In addition, it is clearly evident that these active ingredients, as well as the ingredients not yet discovered in other herbs, can be valuable instruments for combating tumors. Using Echinacea as another alternative cancer treatment is now literally recommended alongside or even instead of conventional therapy, according to researchers.
However, the most important results for flu and colds were the effects of recurrent infections. Previous research has shown that the Echinacea plant is likely to reduce cold symptoms. However, it also seems that the Echinacea effect becomes stronger after the onset of cold symptoms. Such plant extracts are therefore able to fight viral infections of the respiratory tract, including the flu, to reduce inflammation and to reduce the risk of bacterial complications. For this reason, you can see why many such products are used for viral diseases such as the common cold and flu. This applies in particular to extracts that are an integrative recommendation from homeopaths and naturopaths for their patients.
Pain relief and laxatives
Echinacea's history of pain relief began when Indians used the plant as a pain reliever. This is particularly effective for stomach pain, tonsillitis, headache, measles, sore throat and even toothache. Some common methods of using Echinacea in medical pain relief products are drinking herbal tea or even making a paste from the dried herb and rubbing it directly on the affected area.
Like many other herbs, the Echinacea plant can have a positive effect on the entire gastrointestinal tract. In addition, it has proven to be a mild laxative that can relieve constipation and act as a sedative. Drinking the herbal tea is particularly effective in this case too. With chronic illnesses, one cup of tea a day can help loosen the bowels, while 2 to 3 cups a day could work for sudden attacks. However, to reduce the risk of side effects, you should not use Echinacea too often. To be on the safe side, limit your tea to a maximum of two cups a day and take the supplements indicated on the labels.
Treat inflammation and skin problems
Inflammation is arguably the leading cause of death worldwide and the cause of most diseases. Various factors contribute to this, including stress, toxins in our food and poor sleep. Fortunately, regular consumption of Echinacea can effectively reverse them and relieve various types of inflammation. Products that contain the active ingredient can even help with uveitis or eye infections. It is a good idea for people struggling with chronic inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis to consume the herbal tea regularly to reduce system-wide inflammation.
The Echinacea plant also benefits the skin, including improving skin hydration and reducing wrinkles. Research shows that the use of skin products containing such plant extracts can help improve skin health. In addition, this showed no side effects such as skin irritation. Dosage is the key here too. It is recommended that only 20 milligrams are taken at the same time and no longer. In fact, taking more than 20 milligrams per dose can cancel out the benefits.
Risks and side effects
It is important to know that taking too much Echinacea can cause side effects. In some cases, high doses of the plant extracts can sometimes cause nausea and dizziness, especially in allergy sufferers. Therefore, it is not considered safe to use Echinacea, for example, to treat seasonal allergies. Injected coneflower has also been reported to cause more severe reactions such as diarrhea, loss of orientation, drowsiness, dry mouth, insomnia, muscle pain, nausea, numbness of the tongue or throat, and vomiting.
When it comes to the side effects of the Echinacea plant, you should not exceed safe and recommended amounts. Also, take a break every few weeks to avoid excessive long-term use if you regularly take supplements. Echinacea should not be used by people who are taking immunosuppressive drugs, who use tamoxifen, who have allergies or asthma, who are pregnant or breastfeeding, or who are undergoing eyelid surgery. This could also affect the effects of certain medications. It is best to speak to your doctor if you are taking medication or are currently treating an illness to ensure that echinacea is not a danger to you.
Forms and dosage of Echinacea plants
Echinacea is available over-the-counter in many locations, including health food stores, online, and even in pharmacies and supermarkets. The product is sold in many different forms, including liquid extracts, dried herbs, capsules and even as tea. While there is no formal evidence of how best to use Echinacea, taking it regularly on a daily basis can definitely benefit immunity and overall health. Some sources claim that Echinacea appears to be most effective when taken as soon as symptoms appear and taken several times a day for seven to ten days. It is also believed that liquid forms of Echinacea may be more effective than capsules due to the rate of absorption.
However, always remember to use a non-alcoholic preparation, regardless of whether you use it for yourself or your children. As a last warning, it is unfortunately common for products to be labeled incorrectly, since the extracts or preparations do not show the labeled amount of ingredients. That is why it is so important for people to use products from trustworthy and transparent brands. How to prepare Echinacea tea with loose leaves:
- Place the flowers, leaves and roots of an Echinacea plant in a teacup. Make sure that the plant parts are free of dirt.
- Bring water to the boil and then let it rest for a minute to bring the temperature down only slightly.
- Pour water over the vegetable parts.
- Let the tea infuse as long as you like. This is usually longer than the soaking of traditional teas and can take up to 15 minutes.
- Strain to remove the flowers, roots and leaves.
- Season to taste before drinking.
- Add honey, ginger, or other flavor enhancements and experiment with different flavors to find a combination that suits your taste.
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