Echinacea information page

The herb echinacea is originally a North American Indian remedy and stimulates various aspects of the immune system (such as the macrophages and natural killer cells) and is helpful in energizing certain white blood cells and having anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties, which makes it a powerful ally to have when wishing to bolster the immune system as well as the lymphatic system.

Echinacea is used for

Echinacea is indicated for use in problem areas stemming from an under-functioning immune system and is also of benefit to the lymphatic system.

It is often used in the treatment of colds, flu, colic and other infectious illnesses, while it is also useful in anti-inflammatory conditions such as tonsillitis and chest infections and is said to reduce sensitivity to allergies. Various clinical studies have shown varied success of this herb in the treatment of the common cold.

This herb is also known as the purple or prairie coneflower, snakeroot and hedgehog and is part of the daisy family. There are nine different echinacea species, but only three are used medicinally - being Echinacea angustifolia, Echinacea pallida & Echinacea purpurea. Although some quarters claim that certain of the species are more effective than others, some experiments indicate that the effects of the different species are nearly the same.

It contains a selection of compounds such as: arabinose, betaine, copper, echinacen, echinacin B, echinacoside, echinolone, enzymes, fructose, galactose, glucose, glucuronic acid, glycosides, humulence, inulin, inuloid, iron, pentadecadiene, phenolics, polyacetylene compounds, poly-saccharides, potassium, rhamnose, sucrose, sulfur, tannins, xylose as well as vitamin A, C & E.

This natural "antibiotic" and infection fighter is useful to kill bacteria, viruses, fungi as well as other microbes that can cause infection and disease. Over-and-above the stimulating effect has on the immune system, it also is helpful in stimulating the production of interferon - which is a virus fighting substance.

The advisability of using echinacea while suffering from HIV infection is however not clear, and people with HIV should first discuss supplementation of echinacea with their health care professional before taking it.

It is an immunostimulant and inhibits hyaluronidase activity and stimulates the activity of the adrenal cortex. The inhibitory activity of lipoxygenase accounts for its anti-inflammatory activity.

If taken orally echinacea can assist the body's immune system from not catching colds and flu easily, but is also useful in limiting the duration and severity of infections.

It is also useful in middle ear infection, urinary tract infection, sore throat, herpes infections, and bronchitis as well as sinus infections.

Great sums of money are currently being spent by large multi-national pharmaceutical corporations on further research, by prestigious universities, on the benefits of this humble little plant, and we can expect that echinacea will be used far wider in allopathic medicine in the near future.

Contra-indications of echinacea

If you are allergic to any herb of the daisy family you may have an allergic reaction to echinacea and the oral intake of echinacea may also worsen the symptoms of people suffering from lupus, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis.

Echinacea is contained in the following Zest for Life products

• BodyGuard immune boost supplement
  

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Nutritional information

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