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Echinacea used.herbal medicine to treat and alleviate the symptoms of colds, coughs and flu..(more)

What is Echinacea? Echinacea is a perennial plant native to Northern America used as herbal medicine by the Native American Indians....(more)

Echinacea Preparation Echinacea tea is prepared from dried roots, leaves and flower added to a boiling water. Echinacea tea is taken 3 times a day....(more)

Scientific Name: Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench

Other Names:
American Cone Flower, Black Sampson, Black Susans, Brauneria Angustifolia, Brauneria Pallida, Comb Flower, Coneflower, Echinacea Angustifolia, Echinacea Pallida, Echinacea Purpurea, Echinaceawurzel, Échinacée, Échinacée Angustifolia, Échinacée Pallida, Échinacée Pourpre, Échinacée Purpurea, Equinácea, Fleur à Hérisson, Hedgehog, Igelkopfwurzel, Indian Head, Kansas Snakeroot, Narrow-Leaved Purple Cone Flower, Pale Coneflower, Purple Cone Flower, Purpursonnenhutkraut, Purpursonnenhutwurzel, Racine d'echininacea, Red Sunflower, Rock-Up-Hat, Roter Sonnenhut, Rudbeckie Pourpre, Schmallblaettrige Kegelblumenwurzel, Schmallblaettriger Sonnenhut, Scurvy Root, Snakeroot, Sonnenhutwurzel

Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea) common name  purple coneflower is a perennial herb native to central and western region of North America. Echinacea is a genus of herbaceous flowering plants in the daisy family, Asteraceae.

Echinacea purpurea has tall stems growing to about 150 centimeters in height bearing a single pink or purple flower with florets seated around a central cone that is usually purple or brown in color. The flower cone is actually a seed head with sharp spines.  The Echinacea seeds are four-sided achenes.  Echinacea leaves are rough and scattered that become smaller toward the top of the stem. Echinacea roots are tapering and cylindrical.

Echinacea comes from the Greek word “echinos” meaning hedgehog probably because of its spiky appearance and feel of the flower heads. Echinacea has long been used by Native American Indians for its many health benefits. Traditional health benefits from Echinacea included treatment for colds, flu and to fight infections. American settlers eventually adopted the medicinal use but its popularity faded by mid 20th century when  drug antibiotics were discovered. Lately, the health benefits from Echinacea are being studied to determine a more natural way of maintaining a healthy body.

Alkylamides betain, caffeic acid caryophyllene; copper, echinacin; echinacoside; essential oil, fatty acids, flavonoids. glycoside, humulene; inulin iron, polyacetylenes, polysaccharides, protein, sesquiterpenes and tannins, vitamins A, C, and E.

Echinacea has a unique phytochemical fingerprint where some active compounds have antimicrobial activity while others have been known to boost the immune system. The synergetic interactions of these constituents make Echinacea herb a potent herbal medicine.

Echinacea has long been used by Native American Indians to fight infections including colds, coughs and flu.  Echinacea tea is taken to prevent the onset of colds and flu, or to lessen the severity of its symptoms and to hasten the recovery.

Echinacea tea when taken is widely believed to possess a potent antimicrobial and antiviral activity within the body. Medicinal uses of Echinacea tea include the treatment of urinary tract infections, vaginal yeast infections, genital herpes, , gum disease, tonsillitis, syphilis, typhoid, malaria, bloodstream infections (septicemia), streptococcus infections and diphtheria.

Echinacea poultice is also applied to the skin to treat and prevent skin infections associated with boils, skin wounds, burns, insect bites, bee stings, eczema, psoriasis, sunburns, herpes simplex, and hemorrhoids.

Other claims of health benefits from Echinacea included pain alleviation associated with migraines, and rheumatism, as stomach anti acidity, and  rattlesnake bites.

Health Benefits of Echinacea for Common Colds

In as tudy publisned in The Lancet Infectious Diseases, 2007 entitled “Evaluation of Echinacea for the prevention and treatment of the common cold: a meta-analysis” has shown that in a study group that were given Echinacea supplement, the incidence and duration of the common cold has been decreased. This study affirms Echinacea's benefit in decreasing the incidence and duration of the common cold.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17597571

Health Benefits of Echinacea for Rheumatism

In a study published in Toxicology and Industrial Health, 2011 entitled “The effectiveness of Echinacea extract or composite glucosamine, chondroitin and methyl sulfonyl methane supplements on acute and chronic rheumatoid arthritis rat model” has shown that the rheumatic markers in female rats were decreased significantly in Echinacea and genuphil treated groups compared to arthritic none-treated acute or chronic groups. Although the reduction of rheumatic markers were demonstrated, the composite Echinacea and genupil treatment for rheumatism needed further studies over the dose and duration of the treatment to assess its preventive effects against the bacterial arthrogenicity.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22173958

Echinacea extract has Antiviral and Antimicrobial Activity

In a study published in Journal of Biomedicine and Biotechnology, 2011 entitled “Applications of the phytomedicine Echinacea purpurea (Purple Coneflower) in infectious diseases” reported that extracts of Echinacea purpurea (purple coneflower) contain potent and selective antiviral and antimicrobial activities. In addition Echinacea extract display multiple immune-modulatory activities, such as phagocytic activity of macrophages and suppression of the pro-inflammatory responses of epithelial cells to viruses and bacteria,. The bioactivities of Echinacea appear to be due to multiple components rather than the individual chemical compounds that characterize Echinacea extracts. The study further suggested that the potential health benefits from the bioactive extracts may go beyond their traditional uses.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22131823

Echinacea has Liver Protective Health Benefit

In a study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 2011 entitled “Echinacea alkamides prevent lipopolysaccharide/D-galactosamine-induced acute hepatic injury through JNK pathway-mediated HO-1 expression” reported that compound called  alkamides dodeca-2E,4E,8Z,10Z(E)-tetraenoic acid isobutylamides (Alk-8/9) that is isolated from Echinacea purpurea root has anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective effect against acute fulminant hepatitis induced by lipopolysaccharide/D-galactosamine (LPS/D-GalN) in mice. This study suggests that Echinacea extract may offer potential health benefit against liver damage.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21985290

Anti-inflammatory Health Benefit from Echinacea

In a study published in Phytomedicine, 2011 entitled “Effects of Echinaforce treatment on ex vivo-stimulated blood cells” has shown that Echinacea treatment reduced the proinflammatory mediators TNF-α and IL-1β by up to 24% (p<0.05) and increased anti-inflammatory IL-10 levels by 13% (p<0.05) in comparison to baseline for a study group of 30 volunteers. The study demonstrated the anti-inflammatory health benefit from Echinaforce a commercial brand of Echinacea extract.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21726792

Echinacea has Immune Boosting Health Benefit

In a study published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 2011 entitled “A comparison of the immunostimulatory effects of the medicinal herbs Echinacea, Ashwagandha and Brahmi” has shown that Echinacea in combination with other medicinal herbs can boost the immune system by increasing immunoglobulin production.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21619924

The Two Fold Benefit of Echinacea for Acne

Phytotherapy Research,2011 entitled “The potential use of Echinacea in acne: control of Propionibacterium acnes growth and inflammation” reported that Echinacea herbal preparation could provide a safe two-fold benefit to acne individuals by inhibiting proliferation of the organism and reversing the bacterial-induced inflammation.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20830697

Echinacea has Benefits against Influenza A.

The goal of this study that was published in International Immunopharmacology, 2010 entitled “Echinacea and its alkylamides: effects on the influenza A-induced secretion of cytokines, chemokines, and PGE₂ from RAW 264.7 macrophage-like cells” was to determine whether extracts and isolated alkylamides from Echinacea purpurea would be useful for prevention of the inflammatory response that accompanies infections with H1N1 influenza A. The results of  in vitro experiments suggest that Echinacea purpurea extracts offers potential benefits for use in alleviating the symptoms and pathology associated with infections with influenza A.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20674883

Echinacea can treat Fungal Infections

Medical Mycology, 2010 entitled “Disruption of fungal cell wall by antifungal Echinacea extracts” showed that the Echinacea has antifungal activity aside from its antimicrobial activity. It is further suggested that Echinacea can be used to treat fungal infection.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20429770

Echinacea Skin Health Benefits

In a study published in International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2010 entitled “Skin improvement and stability of Echinacea purpurea dermatological formulations” reported that  Echinacea purpurea contains constituents that protects the skin from oxidative stress, in addition it benefits the skin by improving hydration.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20384903

Echinacea can Prevent and Treat Herpes Simplex

In a study published in Intervirology. 2009 entitled “Echinacea purpurea polysaccharide reduces the latency rate in herpes simplex virus type-1 infections” showed that Echinacea purpurea extract was able to exert an antiviral action on the development of recurrent herpes simplex virus type 1 disease when supplied prior to infection.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19372701

Echinacea Potential Benefit for Benign Prostate Hyperplasia

In Phytotherapy Research, 2010 entitled “The effect of Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench extract on experimental prostate hyperplasia” suggests that extract from Echinacea purpurea administered to rats with benign prostate hyperplasia for 4 and 8 weeks gradually and significantly reduced the prostate mass and reversed the degenerative changes in the structure of the prostate gland. The study suggests that the extract of purple coneflower prevents the development of benign prostate hyperplasia.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19288499

Echinacea is available in many nurseries and through seed catalogs. Echinacea roots has to be 3 years old to be used for medicinal purpose while matured flowers and leaves can be readily be used.

Echinacea is available over the counter alone or in combination with other herbs. Echinacea can be bought in tablets, powder, tincture or tea preparations.

When using Echinacea capsules or tinctures, be sure to choose the standardized form to contain 4% Echinacosides,

The typical dosage of Echinacea in capsule form is 300 mg 3 times per day. The dosage for standardized tinctures is about 2 to 3 ml per day, and 2 to 3 g of dried root is considered sufficient.

How to prepare Echinacea tea

Add 1 tsp of dried plant parts of Echinacea (leaves, roots, flower) for every cup of boiling water. You may add slices of lemon, ginger or honey to bring flavor. Let it simmer for 10 to 15 minutes (do not boil). Strain the parts and drink while warm. Echinacea tea may be taken up to 3 times a day.

Many health food and nutrition stores also sell echinacea in a tablet or capsule form, which simplifies the consumption process.

Echinacea is also available in online health stores and in amazon such as the Echinacea 760 mg, Whole Herb, 250 Capsules

Echinacea is considered safe for short term use for most people including children.

Side effects for long term use are not yet determined. To be safe take only for up to two weeks.

Potential side effects of Echinacea include fever, vomiting, nausea, unpleasant taste, numbness of the tongue, sore throat, stomach pain, diarrhea, headache, dizziness, insomnia, disorientation, and joint and muscle aches.

Echinacea can have allergic side effects for those who are sensitive to ragweed, marigolds, or daisies. Echinacea may also cause skin irritation and itchiness as potential side effect.

Pregnancy or breast-feeding: There are no sufficient studies made to determine the side effects of Echinacea to pregnant and breast feeding mothers. Use is therefore discouraged.

Echinacea can affect the immune system. It is recommended that people suffering from “auto-immune disorders” or taking immunodepressant medications should avoid Echinacea.

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