The herb Echinacea is a natural remedy commonly used for the treatment or prevention of cold and flu.
This Native American plant is also known as the purple cone flower. It has purple flowers which bloom from the last months of summer until the first half of the autumn season.
Its use as a medicinal plant to cure wounds and treat infections goes back to the seventeenth century.
How to Use It
Scientific studies and experiments on remedies based on the extract of the purple cone flower have been conducted in Germany.
The roots, leaves and stems of the plant can be used for treatments.
The plant is dried to make tea or squeezed to obtain liquid extracts and prepare tinctures for external use.
It is believed by many generations that the purple cone flower can be used to treat anything from toothaches to insect and snake bites.
However, scientists appreciate the effect it has on:
- Improving the human immune system
- Fastening the wounds’ healing process
- Helping the body fight infections
- Reducing inflammation
- Lowering the intensity of the cold and flu
- Shortening the illness process
- Allergies
- Problems related to sinuses
In order to maintain its effectiveness, its use should be limited to no more than three weeks.
Constant use of Echinacea will decrease its effectiveness due to your body adjusting to the herb.
Side Effects
Echinacea can cause side effects like nausea, dizziness or stomach aches. In the case of asthmatic patients, it can increase the symptoms. Additional side effects refer to rash, swelling or breathing difficulties. It is also not recommended for people who suffer from auto-immune disease as scleroderma, lupus or similar and for HIV-positive patients.
If you are using antibiotics it is safe to take because its role is to improve your immune system. However, you should always consult the doctor when taking Echinacea simultaneously with other drugs.
