Echinacea is a beautiful looking plant, similar to daisies, is known as conical flower and consists of long ligules and floral discs that may sometimes contain thorns.
Echinacea is rich in fibre, vitamins C and B and beta-carotene, as well as minerals such as iron, sodium, magnesium and calcium. Nowadays there are many natural products that we can find elaborated with echinacea, since this plant can be used almost in its totality, since for these remedies they are used from the root to the flowers, happening through the stems, the leaves and its seeds.
You can find echinacea products in most pharmacies or health food stores. It comes in teas, capsules, pills, liquid extracts, or dried herbs. It is one of the most popular herbs in the United States.
Many people use echinacea as a dietary supplement for infections such as the common cold. They believe it stimulates the immune system. This helps the body do a better job of fighting infection. This can make the disease not last as long. Some people take it when they are fine to avoid getting an infection.
Avoid taking echinacea on an empty stomach. Echinacea should be taken with food or a large glass of water. Echinacea should not be taken for more than a few weeks.
Some people are allergic to plants in the daisy family. These plants may include daisies, ragweed, calendula, or chrysanthemums. This could put you at greater risk of having an allergic reaction to echinacea.
Echinacea is generally safe, but not for everyone. Do not take echinacea if you have any of the following conditions: an autoimmune disorder (eg, lupus), multiple sclerosis, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), tuberculosis. In addition, echinacea should not be taken if immunosuppressants are taken.
While short-term intake of echinacea is considered safe - as long as the person has no allergic contraindications to the plant - it can be counterproductive for those with autoimmune diseases. Increasing the body's defenses increases the cellular damage caused by the individual's antibodies against his or her own tissues.
The future of echinacea's medical uses looks promising. Scientists are looking for standardization that would result in better quality control at different stages of their production chain, from cultivation to packaging for final sale.
Before using echinacea, check with your doctor to make sure there are no contraindications for you.
Sources
Karsch-Volk M, et al. Echinacea for preventing and treating the common cold. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD000530.pub3/full. Accessed Jan. 12, 2017.
Echinacea. Natural Medicines. https://naturalmedicines.therapeuticresearch.com. Accessed Jan. 12, 2017.
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