As half of the world heads into winter, it’s time to pay tribute to one of the oldest remedies used to combat infections and colds - Echinacea.
Echinacea purpurea, also known as the purple coneflower, is a member of the daisy family that is native to North America. The name comes from the Greek word ekhinos, as a tribute to the animal that resembles the spiky brown center of the plant.
Echinacea supplements are easy to find, but the dosage of the capsules or tablets can vary. I’ve seen echinacea supplements range from anywhere between 3,000 to 10,000 mg each, and the dosage should be tailored as needed.
During the winter months, it’s helpful to take a lower dose echinacea tablet every day, to boost your immune system. As they say, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, and having that little extra bit of help could be just what your body needs to fight off a virus trying to make its way into your system.
If you do end up getting sick, you can increase the dosage to help get your body into fight mode and shorten the duration of your cold or sore throat. Some studies have shown that echinacea supplements increase the amount of white blood cells your body produces, which are needed to take care of infections.
Before taking any supplement, study up on the side effects and consult your doctor if you are potentially at risk of complications. Side effects of echinacea include rashes and worsening asthma symptoms. In addition to this, people with autoimmune disease and pregnant or nursing women should take extra care, so please be safe and make sure this is good for your own body before going ahead.
Of course, taking pills isn’t your only option. People have been using echinacea as a medicinal herb since long before bottles of tablets became commonplace. If you prefer, you can purchase dried echinacea, or grow your own if you have the space for a garden. The flower is a perennial plant, meaning that once planted it will grow back again from the root the following year.
As a traditional folk remedy, echinacea can be made as either a tea or a tincture. Tea is always a good remedy for a cold or sore throat, since the warm beverage will soothe the raw and swollen areas as you drink it.
Echinacea tea is simple to make. You simmer water on your stove top, add ½ cup of fresh echinacea plant (or ¼ cup if you're using dried echinacea that you stored for the winter), then cover. Let the tea infuse for 15 minutes, then strain, pour into a cup, and add lemon, honey, or both.
Making a tincture is a bit more complicated, but it’s a medicinal extract that can be stored and used throughout the winter as needed. For a tincture, you will need a glass jar, enough dried echinacea leaf (or leaf and root) to fill the jar between ? and ½ full, and a food-grade alcohol that is at least 80-proof, such as vodka or rum.
Fill your jar with the dried echinacea, add a few tablespoons of hot water to moisten it, and then add the alcohol. Screw the lid on tightly and store your mixture in a cool, dark place, shaking daily for at least six weeks.
After the infusion is complete, strain the liquid through a cheesecloth and store in fresh glass jars. You can add 10 to 30 drops to a glass of water for an adult-sized dose, up to three times a day.
Although these homemade herbal remedies will give you a more active, hands-on role, a bottle of echinacea tablets will still do the trick to keep you strong throughout the winter. The herb is a staple for any winter medicine cabinet, and I wish you all a healthy season ahead.
Sources:
https://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/cold-guide/echinacea-common-cold#1
http://thepaleomama.com/2015/07/21/homemade-echinacea-tea/
https://wellnessmama.com/25999/echinacea-benefits-uses/
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