Echinacea is a medicinal plant from the genus Heliantheae, to which belongs nine species of perennials distributed throughout eastern North America. The most famous plant from that family that was imported to Europe is purple echinacea.
Echinaceae purpureae or purple rudbeckia is an annual or perennial plant that grows from 60 to 180 centimeters. The plant has specific ligulate flowers two to four centimeters long in a distinct purple color with characteristic drooping petals. Echinacea purpena is also the most common.
Action and composition of echinacea
Echinacea is among the few plants for which there are a number of clinical studies that prove and justify its use as an immunomodulator. The green aboveground part and the root are used for medicinal purposes.
Composition Echinacea Purpurea green part of the plant contains alkylamides, caffeic acid derivatives, polysaccharides, glycoproteins, flavonoids and essential oil. The root contains chicoric acid, alkylamides, polyacetylenes and polysaccharides.
Composition E. angustifolia, the root of the plantain contains alkylamides, polyacetylenes, caffeic acid derivatives, inulin-type polysaccharides and essential oil. Echinaceae angustifolia root is used against many diseases: toothache, headaches, to prepare compresses in the treatment of burns, against winter bites or mosquito bites, treatment of arthritis, rheumatism, sepsis and many other ailments.
The composition of E. pallida, the root of this plant contains ketoalkenes and ketoalkines, polyacetylenes, caffeic acid derivatives, echinacoside, glycoproteins and essential oil. It does not contain alkylamide, unlike the previous two types.
Fresh is best to use because ...
If you treat yourself with echinacea should pay attention to the composition and type of plant. The highest quality preparations are made from fresh plant extract. A fresh plant has three times more active ingredients than a plant that is dried. Alkylamides oxidize and are extremely volatile, so a large part is lost by drying, and they have an immunomodulatory effect. Echinacea preparations mainly come in the form of fresh juice, tincture of fresh plant, Sipf and dry standardized extracts.
There are more than 800 different echinacea preparations on the market. When choosing a product, one should pay attention to the type of echinacea because they have different effects. The efficacy of E. purpurna and E. pallida alone has been clinically established.
Proven antiviral activity of Echinacea
A study that lasted from 2009 to 2011 published scientific studies that confirmed the ability of echinacea to help prevent respiratory viruses. It has been found to act on influenza A / B viruses, herpes simplex virus and RSV.
The effect of Echinacea on the immune system was proven by a study at the University of London. The study confirms that echinacea supports a “weak” immune system in the stages of increased stress or viral infections. It has been confirmed that the immune system cannot be “stimulated” by taking her patent. Echinacea is also used for urinary tract infections, headaches, symptoms of chronic fatigue, eczema and allergies.
Caution!
It is not recommended to use the preparation for more than eight weeks. It is advisable to take them with food or a large glass of water. Echinacea preparations are intended for intensive and short-term therapy. In the first two weeks, large doses are taken, after which they are reduced.
Echinacea should not be used in the case of autoimmune diseases in which the immune system attacks its own tissue. Its use is not allowed in AIDS, tuberculosis and rheumatoid arthritis.
The preparations should not be used by pregnant women, small children and people who use some medications for chronic bolsets, due to side effects.
It should not be used even by those who have an allergic reaction to grasses (ragweed, daisies or chrysanthemums).