Health Benefits of Echinacea

Because of the benefits of echinacea, this herbal plant, which is also called the purple coneflower, has been used for over 400 years as a medicinal herb. Echinacea was known to fight against cold, heal wounds and treat fever. Echinacea is now widely used for many other ailments and to fight viral and bacterial infections.

Studies found that taking echinacea releases the increase in production of interferons by lymphocytes. These interferons attack bacteria and virus and prevent them from reproducing and multiplying. This is one of the reasons why echinacea is effective to treat viral infections. It benefits those who have urinary tract infections, boils, flu and fever.

Echinacea also helps the body produce white blood cells called macrophages. One of the functions of the macrophages is to remove dead cells from the lungs and dead cells on inflammations. This makes echinacea a beneficial herb to treat or prevent upper respiratory tract infections.

Echinacea also assist in the prevention of the production of enzymes called hyaluronidases. If uncontrolled, the enzymes may allow bacteria to penetrate cell membranes and transport the bacteria to other parts of the body and cause infections.

Here are some other health benefits of echinacea

1. The reasons stated above make echinacea an herb that help build the body defense system. It stimulates and strengthens the body's immune system against infections.
   
   
   
2. Taking echinacea at the first signs of a cold for about 8 to 10 days may reduce the symptoms of cold or shorten its length.
   
   
   
3. One of the other benefits of echinacea is its effectiveness in treating sore throat if taken at the beginning of the symptoms. It can speed up the healing process.
   
   
   
4. As mentioned earlier, it is effective in fighting respiratory infections. If you have bronchitis, sinusitis, strep throat and earache, echinacea is the best herb to take.
   
   
   
5. Reduces your need to take harmful conventional medications and antibiotics.
   
   
6. It may help boost immunity levels for people who are undergoing chemotherapy as some preliminary studies found that echinacea may produce an immunostimulant property.
   
   
7. The benefits of echinacea include healing skin problems such as acne, eczema, hives and psoriasis. And because of its immunostimulant and antibiotic properties echinacea is helpful in treating burns, cuts, wounds, boils, abscesses, canker sores, herpes infections including genital herpes, cold sores and shingles.
   
   
8. It may help overcome chronic fatigue syndrome.
   
   
9. When taken together with goldenseal root, the positive effects are more powerful especially in treating colds and flu.

There are several ways to take echinacea purpurea. Echinacea extracts are sold in capsules, tablets, echinacea tea, a combination with golden seal, liquid extract, tincture and syrup. You can choose any form that suits you.

If you have earache, dipping a few drops of the tincture may help relief earache. A cup of echinacea tea may help if you are having urinary tract infection. You can use echinacea liquid to apply on your skin problems.

The possible echinacea side effects are allergic reactions such as rash. Gastrointestinal problems may also arise. Echinacea may not suit people with HIV, multiple sclerosis and tuberculosis. Check with your doctor first to confirm before taking echinacea especially if you are taking any prescription medication.

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