Echinacea: properties and uses of this great immunostimulant plant

Echinacea (Echinacea angustifolia either Echinacea purpurea) it is probably the best known North American medicinal plant and used in western phytotherapy. It has earned the unanimous agreement of experts in considering it one of the most effective herbal remedies for strengthen the immune system. Today it is used to alleviate different respiratory conditions such as colds, flu, pharyngitis, bronchitis or respiratory allergies and is also considered very effective for the treatment of dental and dermatological disorders, for example herpes.

However, the history of echinacea as a medicinal remedy reveals that the discovery of its immunostimulant properties is relatively recent.

It is known that up to fourteen native peoples of North America used echinacea to ward off health problems as diverse as toothache, swollen tonsils or snake bites.

In 1870, Dr. Meyer incorporated this native knowledge into his own formulas to purify blood and cure bites. Barely two decades later, in 1887, the plant was integrated into the practice of conventional medicineespecially in the treatment of skin problems such as abscesses, boils and eczema.

in 1910 American researchers discovered these immunostimulating propertiesand twenty years later it was taken to Germany, where this plant has been very successful and has been the subject of numerous studies.

With the discovery of antibiotics, its use has declined, but in recent decades its properties have led to a resurgence of interest in its applications and have popularized its use in many sectors of the Western population. Although there is still some controversy about the properties and benefits of echinacea due to the conclusions of different scientific studies, countless products containing echinacea can be found on the market today.

Echinacea properties

Echinacea preparations come from up to nine different species of this same genus. The most used are:

Echinacea angustifoliaEchinacea purpureaEchinacea pallida

These three species of echinacea grow in the American Midwest naturally, but its cultivation has spread to other parts of America, Europe and Asia. They are also highly valued plants in gardening.

The echinacea with greater therapeutic power would be the first, the narrow-leaf echinacea: the Echinacea angustifolia DC

for therapeutic purposes the part of the plant that is mostly used is the root and, to a lesser extent, its flowering tops, that is, its large floral chapters and the upper leaves. Both parts of the plant are used equally, although they do not share the same active ingredients:

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Echinacea root: Contains cynarin and caffeic, chlorogenic and chicoric acids, traces of alkaloids, resins and polysaccharides (sugars).Flowering tops: They contain essential oil, with borneol and caryophyllene, among other volatile substances. Also anthocyanosides in its pigments.

Due to this composition, different health properties are attributed to echinacea:

Immunostimulant properties Anti-inflammatory properties Bacteriostatic properties Antipyretic properties Sudorific properties Anti-allergic properties Digestive properties Choleretic properties Antifungal properties Healing properties

How it works on the skin

At the epidermal level, echinacea blocks hyaluronidase, thereby prevents the spread of infectionstimulating the transformation of fibroblasts into fibrocytes, and favoring the tissue regeneration and healing.

That is why with echinacea they prepare ointments and compresses for skin irritation and burnsand it is also included in many formulations of face and body creams (combined with lanolin), mouthwashes, soaps and toothpastes.

How it acts on the immune system

Echinacea influences macrophages, enhancing the ability of these cells to engulf and eliminate or neutralize pathogens foreign, such as bacteria or virus-infected cells.

Its glycoproteins act on some families of lymphocytes of the immune system, stimulating the production of cytokines and increasing interferon levels (which is the cellular response to the attack of viruses and other microorganisms) and of properdina non-specific indicator that defines the resistance capacity of the organism.

What is echinacea used for?

The great protective and healing capacity of echinacea has made it an exceptional herbal remedy with multiple benefits. It is primarily used for:

Stimulate the defenses non-specific to the organism and increase the defenses against the incidence of infections. Prevent and treat bacterial and viral infections that affect the respiratory trunk, such as flu processes, bronchitis, pharyngitis, rhinitis, sinusitis and tonsillitisR.reduce the tenths of fever in respiratory, digestive or urinary infections, since echinacea is a very effective antipyretic. Treat different dermatological problems currents, such as the appearance of dermatitis, eczema, boils, abscesses, and on minor injuries, sores, hives, burns and non-serious scalds.Treat mouth conditionssuch as canker sores, inflammation of the tongue or glossitis, oral candidiasis and irritation of the oral walls. Echinacea extract is intended for the treatment of Genital herpes, but some studies do not give it a very relevant efficacy on this point. treat the ear pain due to infectiononly internally in the form of herbal tea, never directly topically on the ear.

However, the benefit for which it has earned worldwide recognition is its important ability to strengthen the immune system, widely demonstrated by clinical studies. There are various scientific studies that support, with nuances, the efficacy of the different species of echinacea in the treatment of flu and other respiratory conditionsas an antiviral and antipyretic remedy.

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How is echinacea used?

Echinacea can be used in different ways, depending on the presentation:

Alcoholic tincture. Up to 50 drops of echinacea tincture are indicated, dissolved in water, three times a day, for a maximum of 10 days. Not suitable for children.Liquid extract. It is ideal for children. It is indicated in viral affections of the respiratory system, 25 drops in 3 daily doses, dissolved in juice or water.Echinacea syrup with propolis. It is mixed with propolis, sage and plantain. You can take up to 3 tablespoons a day.Juice. The doses are up to 60 drops of echinacea in 3 daily doses in the first phase, to gradually reduce to 40 and 30 drops in treatments that do not exceed 12 days. They can be safely administered to children over 2 years of age.In infusion. A decoction of the root is made using Echinacea angustifolia, sometimes combined with elderberry or licorice. Three cups of this echinacea infusion are taken daily, in discontinuous treatments.In tablets or capsules. 400 or 500 mg, up to 4 units a day, to strengthen the immune defenses.topical use. Echinacea ointments and restorative and healing creams or tinctures diluted in water are used to alleviate epidermal disorders.In the form of rinse or mouthwash. The purified echinacea decoction is used to make mouthwashes or use as a mouthwash.

Echinacea and propolis, an ideal combination

Herbalists and some pharmacies offer various echinacea products with propolis, a combination rich in vitamin C that accentuates its anti-inflammatory and immunostimulant benefits.

It often occurs in syrupbut also in vialsin drops of extract and in capsules.

Is echinacea suitable for children?

echinacea is suitable for children taken in the form of syrup or infusion, in doses appropriate to their age. Echinacea helps increase their defenses and can shield them against some infections.

However, it is preferable to avoid the use of presentations in the form of alcoholic tincture, as well as overly concentrated infusions (no more than 4-5 g of dry plant).

How to take echinacea for…

increase defenses

To increase defenses and prevent respiratory infections, you can prepare this simple echinacea infusion.

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Mix echinacea, gentian, licorice, elderberry and star anise in equal parts. Separate a tablespoon of the mixture per cup of water. Boil 3 minutes, let stand 10 more minutes and strain. Add agave or stevia syrup to offset the bitter taste of the gentian

Up to three glasses of infusion are taken a day.

Earache

For otitis or ear pain you can get a preparation of medicinal plants with juice:

Mix echinacea, thyme and mullein in equal parts. Separate a teaspoon of this mixture and add it to a glass with the juice of one or two lemons. Drink the preparation three times a day.

You can also make a infusion of echinacea with thyme, gordologo and mint:

Mix the plants in equal parts. Separate a tablespoon of the mixture per cup of water. Boil for two minutes, let it rest and add the juice of one lemon. Take up to three small glasses a day, until the earache subsides.

Pharyngitis

To relieve pharyngitis you can prepare this echinacea rinse for gargling:

Arrange a tablespoon of root of E. angustifolia in a glass of water. Boil the mixture for five minutes, strain and let stand for a few minutes. With the preparation, gargle three times a day.

Echinacea Side Effects

A study carried out by Australian researchers has brought to light the existence of possible side effects of echinacea in oral use, in the form of allergic reactions.

These would be unforeseeable effects, which could affect allergy sufferers, prone to developing pollen allergies from trees like willows and poplars, to grass and plants of the Compositae family.

The echinacea allergy would manifest with various symptoms such as sore throats, asthmatic attacks, rashes on fingers and toes, coughing, and in extreme cases, anaphylaxis. The Australian study found that one in five allergic patients You could develop symptoms after taking echinacea preparations.

On the other hand, the echinacea preparations in liquid form taken orally have caused a mild irritation on lips and tongue in some people and may increase salivation.