Echinacea augustifolia, Echinacea palida, Echinacea purpurea or Echinacea is
a known herbal plant through out the world. It is also called Samson roots,
purple coneflower, red sunflower and black Samson. Native American was the first to use Echinacea. The plant was used to heal wounds such as animal bites specifically snakebites. The root part of the plant was being used to cure, sore throat and other mouth sores. It is also used to treat toothaches.
All the plants' parts are usable. Its leaves, roots and purple flowers are
the parts used. According to the many researches are conducted on this herb, researched and proved to really have curative properties. Roots and flowers of Echinacea contain echinacosides, while leaves of the plant contain polysaccharide heteroylan.
As of today, the plant is widely used as an infection-fighting agent because
of its healing properties. Scientist and community health groups have proven
that the plant Echinacea is of good health benefits.
Properties of this plant are believed to be alternative, anti-fungal-
anti-septic, anti-inflammatory, astringent, diaphoretic, carminative, anti
bacterial, depurative, immune stimulant, digestive tonic, sialagogue,
vulnerary and stimulant. With all of these, it is truly obvious that
Echinacea is a wonder plant.
The plant is obviously a food supplement. A food supplement is an addition
to your food that that you eat. This includes vitamins, minerals as well as
herbals. The FDA or U.S. Food and Drug Administration consider this. These
food supplements do not require manufacturers to be effective and safe. You
should also keep in mind that these supplements can give you benefits but
can also possible to harm you.
How is it used? Actually, there are no specific explanations on how does
this plant works. The possibility of its stimulation to immune system is
identified. With studies mad, it is proven that somehow Echinacea acts by
doing the following.
• By stimulating phagocytes. Phagocytes are a process by which white blood
cells and lymphocytes consume foreign organisms in the body.
• By increasing the rate on which the foreign body is ejected by the immune
system in the body.
• By increasing the production of the major component of the body's immune
system, the interferon.
• By increasing the amount of cells working as part of immune system.
As a food supplement, the possible health benefits of Echinacea are the
following:
• It heals sore throat than other mouth problems
• Helps in some cases of peritonitis
• Helps in wound healing as well as in other skin problems such as
abrasions, boils, psoriasis and eczema.
• Helps reduces inflammation
• Helps in the healing of fever blisters
• Helps reduce signs and symptoms of flu and colds
• Helps in bladder problems
• Helps in treating kidney infections
• Helps fights fungal infections
• Helps fight viral infections
• Helps fight bacterial infections
• Helps strengthen the immune system
• Helps promote wound healing
• Helps in healing burns
• Soothes insect bites and stings
• Helps treat sinus infections
So far, side effect may or may not appear. In rare cases, allergic reactions
may occur and can be serious. The plant should not be taken more than 8
weeks, over use of it can cause the suppression of the immune system.
Echinacea is used to stimulate immune system; immunosuppressant may be
cancelled out if it is being overused.
This plant are not recommended for use by people with systemic diseases such as, AID1S, HIV, MS, TB, leucosis and collagenosis. It can also cause harm to following conditions, tuberculosis, multiple sclerosis, ulcerative colitis, crohn's disease, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, asthma and other autoimmune disease not included.
In addition, people who are taking immunosuppressant by any reason are not allowed to take Echinacea. People with these diseases cannot use the plant as a dietary supplement as it can cause undesirable reaction to the body.
Pregnant women should also avoid taking this herb.
In some cases adverse effect can also occur. Some of the side effect that
has been noted were, nausea, vomiting and abdominal upset.
The plant is available in several forms, lozenges, pills, tablets, extracts,
capsules and tinctures. It is also available in topical ointment form, with
mixture of other healing agents. Echinacea is truly a gift we should truly
be thankful of.
Joyce Dietzel writes articles for your vitamins.com a website dedicated to
vitamin and supplements including Echinacea
