Echinacea: benefits and harm to the body, what it is used for, adverse reactions

Echinacea is a popular garden perennial, characterized by long flowering and unpretentiousness. It is also medicinal. By growing it in your garden, you can always have valuable medicinal raw materials. In order for the plant to bring maximum health benefits, you need to know exactly what the medicinal properties of echinacea are.

Echinacea is included in the catalogs of medicinal herbs in many countries around the world.

Chemical composition of Echinacea

The healing properties of the perennial are due to its rich chemical composition. Moreover, useful components for human health are contained in all parts of the plant - stems, leaves, flowers, roots.

The chemical composition of Echinacea includes:

• essential, fatty oils;
• polysaccharides;
• flavonoids;
• hydroxycinnamic, organic, phenolcarboxylic acids;
• saponins;
• tannins;
• resins;
• unsaturated ketospira – echinolone;
• polyamines;
• echinacoside;
• phytosterols;
• inulin;
• glucose;
• betaine;
• enzymes;
• macro- and microelements.

What are the benefits of Echinacea herb?

The perennial is widely used in traditional, folk medicine and cosmetology. Studies have shown that when using echinacea, the human body’s resistance to viruses, infections, and bacteria increases. In addition, it has a strong immunomodulatory effect.

Echinacea-based products relieve inflammation and have a diuretic and antiviral effect. The plant also helps lower blood sugar levels. This is achieved due to the fact that echinacea extract inhibits enzymes that process carbohydrates, thereby reducing glucose production. And thanks to the high content of antioxidants, the perennial helps slow down the aging process in the human body.

Echinacea is used to treat:

• stomatitis;
• tonsillitis;
• ARVI;
• otitis;
• sinusitis;
• tonsillitis;
• myocardial dystrophy;
• periodontal disease;
• boils, carbuncles, ulcers, difficult-to-heal wounds;
• thrush, trichophytosis;
• typhoid fever
• scarlet fever;
• gonorrhea;
• syphilis;
• infectious diseases of the urinary tract;
• malaria;
• herpes;
• adnexitis;
• cystitis;
• sepsis;
• burns;
• psoriasis;
• eczema;
• prostatitis;
• diabetes mellitus;
• pancreatitis;
• hypertension;
• diphtheria.

Plant-based products help improve the process of hematopoiesis and have a beneficial effect on the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue. The plant’s effectiveness has also been proven for the treatment of depression, increased anxiety, and irritability. The use of echinacea in this case helps to improve the psycho-emotional state of a person.

The pharmaceutical industry produces about 200 drugs based on Echinacea

Benefits of Echinacea for Men

The plant helps maintain men's health due to its ability to improve blood circulation in the pelvic organs. Also, the use of echinacea allows you to treat and prevent the development of inflammatory processes in the prostate gland.

The plant also has a beneficial effect on the male body as a whole. Echinacea-based products promote rapid recovery after excessive physical exertion, improve mental performance, and increase endurance.

Benefits of Echinacea for Women

The healing plant is also useful for women. Echinacea helps to prolong youth, restore the elasticity of the epidermis, and enhance regeneration processes. It also speeds up metabolism, which promotes weight loss.

The chemical composition of Echinacea has a beneficial effect on hair. The plant helps strengthen the roots, enhance their growth, give shine and a healthy appearance to the curls.

The use of echinacea in folk medicine

The medicinal plant is widely used in folk medicine.However, it needs to be used in different ways to treat diseases. Therefore, it is important to know how to drink echinacea correctly in each specific case so that the treatment is effective.

For treatment, it is recommended to use echinacea at least two years old

Echinacea to strengthen the immune system

To increase the body's resistance to pathogens, tea, decoction, or infusion of the plant should be used. They are especially recommended for people living in unfavorable climates and environmental conditions, who work a lot, and often experience stress. Echinacea therapy is also suitable if the correct diet is not followed, which causes a lack of vitamins and minerals in the body.

Characteristic signs indicating decreased immunity:

• susceptibility to infections, viruses;
• depressed mood;
• sleep disturbance;
• fast fatiguability;
• chronic fatigue.

If you have at least one of the listed symptoms, it is recommended to undergo a course of therapy for 2-3 weeks. To boost immunity, you need to drink Echinacea tea or tincture three times a day after meals, 100 ml and 30 drops, respectively.

Echinacea for cough

The herb can be used to treat cough. To do this, it is recommended to drink Echinacea tea, as well as use a decoction to rinse the mouth. This therapy relieves inflammation and promotes mucus separation. Moreover, relief is felt after the first use of the products. In the case of a wet cough, it is recommended to take Echinacea during attacks, and for a dry cough - three times a day.

Echinacea for sore throat

The plant produces interferon, which has an antiviral effect. Therefore, it helps in the treatment of sore throat. To do this you need to use echinacea infusion.Take three times a day after meals, drinking 100 ml at a time. Duration of therapy is 10 days.

You can repeat the course of Echinacea every six months

Echinacea for oncology

All cancer diseases are accompanied by uncontrolled cell division, which leads to the formation of a malignant tumor. And the peculiarity of echinacea is that it is able to suppress this process due to its high content of antioxidants and immunostimulating effects.

As a result of the studies, it was found that the components of the medicinal herb caused the death of pancreatic and intestinal cancer cells. However, you can take echinacea-based products for oncology only on the recommendation of your doctor. But they can be used to prevent cancer. In this case, it is recommended to undergo a two-week course of therapy 2-3 times a year. During this time, you can drink infusion, decoction, or Echinacea tea after meals twice a day, 100, 150 and 200 ml, respectively.

Echinacea in gynecology

The perennial also helps in the treatment of gynecological diseases. It has an anti-inflammatory effect and copes well with infections. To do this, it is recommended to use tea and echinacea decoction, drinking them three times a day after meals. The recommended dosage of folk remedies is 150 and 100 ml. The duration of the course of treatment is 10-14 days, after which they take a break for a month and repeat if necessary.

Echinacea stimulates adrenal function

Echinacea for herpes

For this disease, Echinacea relieves discomfort, reduces inflammation, and has an antibacterial effect. Infusion, decoction and tincture of the plant are suitable for treating herpes.The first two remedies are recommended to be taken orally three times a day, 30 minutes after meals, drinking 100 ml. Echinacea tincture should be used to treat painful rashes 3-5 times a day.

Echinacea for prostatitis

In this case, the plant helps relieve pain, strengthen the body's protective functions, relieve inflammation and has an antibacterial effect. For treatment, it is recommended to use an alcohol tincture of the roots and rhizomes of Echinacea. You need to drink the product twice a day in the morning and in the evening before meals, half an hour. Single dosage – 30 drops. The recommended course of therapy with Echinacea is three weeks.

For diabetes

The plant helps not only reduce blood sugar levels, but also increase the body's sensitivity to insulin. This property makes it possible to use echinacea to prevent the development of diabetes, but only with lifestyle changes. For the ego, it is recommended to undergo a course of treatment for two weeks three times a year. During this time, it is recommended to drink 100 ml of tea, decoction or infusion of the plant half an hour before meals.

For pancreatitis

Echinacea also helps with chronic pancreatitis to relieve inflammation of the pancreas. To do this, you can use a tincture of the plant. On the first day you need to drink 40 drops of the product, dissolved in a small amount of water, and then take 20 drops three times a day for 10 days.

For hypertension

Echinacea has a tonic effect and does not lower blood pressure. Therefore, the plant is contraindicated for hypertension. But it can be used for vegetative-vascular dystonia in case of low blood pressure.Echinacea tea is excellent for this, which is recommended to drink 100 ml three times a day after meals.

Ways to use Echinacea

There are several basic recipes for using echinacea at home, which can be used to prepare healing remedies. The main thing is to strictly follow the recommendations and observe the dosage.

Tincture

To prepare echinacea tincture, you need to tightly fold the crushed leaves, shoots, and flowers of the perennial into a glass container and pour in 500 ml of vodka so that it completely covers them. It is recommended to infuse the product in a dark place at room temperature for a month, shaking occasionally. At the end of the waiting period, strain the echinacea tincture and pour it into an airtight glass container. Its shelf life is three years.

For treatment, you can also use a tincture of Echinacea rhizomes. To do this, you need to grind 100 g of dried echinacea raw material, put it in a dark glass container and pour in 500 ml of vodka. It is recommended to infuse the product for 12 days in a dark place at room temperature. It is important to shake it daily and then strain. The shelf life of this echinacea tincture is also three years.

Infusion and decoction

These products have a similar preparation process. To make an infusion or decoction of echinacea, you need to pour 1 tsp. crushed herb collection 200 ml boiling water. In the first case, the product must subsequently be covered with a lid and left for half an hour, and in the second case, it must be simmered in a water bath for 15 minutes, and then set aside and allowed to cool to room temperature. Healing agents must be strained before use.

It is recommended to prepare echinacea infusion and decoction immediately before use.

Tea

To prepare this drink, you need to pour 30 g of dried crushed petals and leaves of the perennial with 300 ml of water, bring to a boil and remove from the stove. After the Echinacea tea has cooled to a comfortable temperature, you can add a little honey and lemon juice to improve the taste. It is recommended to drink the drink immediately; it cannot be stored for long periods of time.

Ointment

This healing remedy based on echinacea can be used externally to treat psoriasis, herpes, and burns. To prepare it, you need to melt Vaseline, lanolin (glycerin) in a water bath and add crushed dried leaves, shoots, petals and roots in powder form, maintaining a 2 to 3 ratio, and then mix everything well. Echinacea ointment can be used immediately after cooling. Its shelf life is one year. This product can be used 2-4 times a day.

Apply Echinacea ointment only to previously cleansed skin.

Oil

Echinacea can also be used to make healing oil. It is recommended to use it to enrich facial and hair care products, adding 10 ml to them for every 30 ml of base.

To prepare echinacea oil, you need to place tightly crushed petals and leaves of the perennial in a glass container. Then they need to be filled with olive or sunflower oil so that the liquid level is 1 cm higher. After this, the container must be tightly closed and left in a dark place for a month, shaking the mixture periodically. The shelf life of this product should not exceed six months.

How to use echinacea in cosmetology

Echinacea can be used to prolong youth and preserve beauty, thanks to its rich chemical composition.Therefore, it is widely used in cosmetology.

Echinacea for hair

With regular use, the perennial gives hair a natural shine, enhances its growth, helps to forget about dandruff and prevents hair loss. Echinacea-based products can be added to lotions, rinses, and also used as part of various masks.

The most effective of them:

1. Mask against hair loss. To prepare it, you need to mix 1 tbsp. l. onion juice, one egg, 1 tsp. honey and 50 ml of echinacea infusion, mix everything thoroughly. It is recommended to apply the mask to the roots and leave for 30 minutes. Regular use: twice a week for three months. And then take a break for the same period.
2. Anti-dandruff mask. To prepare the product you will need 30 ml each of echinacea and castor oil, as well as 1.5 tsp. honey All components must be mixed thoroughly. The mixture must be applied to the scalp and lightly rubbed into it. The mask should be kept on for 90 minutes. After this, you need to wash your hair with shampoo.
3. Mask to enhance hair growth. To prepare the product, you need to mix 50 ml of slightly warmed echinacea oil and six drops of tea tree ether and almond. Apply the mask to the roots and lightly rub into the skin. After this, you need to leave it for two hours, and then wash your hair with your usual shampoo.

Hair masks with the addition of echinacea give visible results after the first use

Echinacea herb for skin

Regular use of medicinal herbs helps the skin remain elastic, healthy and have an even tone.

Application options:

1. Rejuvenation mask. To prepare a cosmetic product, you need to mix 3 tbsp in a ceramic container. l.Echinacea oil and five drops of rose ether, and then gradually pour in 50 ml of purified water and 15 ml of camphor alcohol. Initially, it is recommended to use the mixture as a hot compress, and then apply the mask to the skin in an even layer and leave for half an hour. The product must be washed off with warm water.
2. Mask against inflammation and rashes. Squeeze 10 g of baby cream into a ceramic container, add a vitamin D capsule, yolk and 5 ml of echinacea oil. It is recommended to use the resulting mask in the evening, applying an even layer to previously cleansed skin. The duration of the procedure is 15 minutes. When finished, rinse off the product with warm water.

Side effects of Echinacea

The perennial is considered a safe plant because its parts contain no alkaloids. However, if the frequency and dosage of echinacea-based products is not observed, side effects may occur:

• nausea;
• vomit;
• bowel dysfunction;
• increased excitability of the nervous system.

If symptoms appear, Echinacea therapy should be discontinued and drinking plenty of fluids should be provided. You can resume treatment only after two weeks, strictly following the rules for using medicinal herbs.

Contraindications for use

Echinacea purpurea, narrow-leaved and pale can bring not only benefits, but also harm to the body. To avoid this, it is necessary to carefully study its contraindications before starting therapy:

• individual intolerance;
• leukemia;
• multiple sclerosis;
• rheumatism;
• destructive connective tissue processes in organs;
• lupus erythematosus;
• hay fever;
• autoimmune diseases;
• tuberculosis;
• AIDS.

Treatment should be carried out with caution when taking other immunostimulating agents.

The properties of echinacea have not been fully studied

Is it possible to take echinacea during pregnancy?

Echinacea-based products can be used in courses of 7-10 days to strengthen the immune system, but the exception is vodka tincture. However, such therapy must be previously agreed upon with a gynecologist.

Is it possible to take echinacea during breastfeeding?

Echinacea can change the taste of breast milk, so it is not recommended for use during lactation. If use is necessary, breastfeeding should be temporarily discontinued.

At what age can echinacea be given to children?

The use of echinacea is permissible for children to strengthen the immune system and for acute respiratory viral infections over the age of six years in the form of decoction, tea and infusion. The dosage in this case must be agreed with the pediatrician. In order for Echinacea to be beneficial for children and not cause allergies, it is recommended to start giving the medicine in a dose of 10 ml in the morning to monitor the body’s reaction. In the absence of unpleasant symptoms, the rate can be increased to 30 ml three times a day. The duration of treatment is 5-7 days.

When to collect and how to prepare echinacea

For treatment, it is recommended to collect plant materials at certain times when Echinacea accumulates the maximum amount of useful substances. Therefore, leaves and shoots must be harvested during the active growing season before flowering begins. It is recommended to dig up the roots no earlier than autumn, namely mid-September. Echinacea flowers must be collected as they bloom until the petals become bent back.

It is recommended to dry the raw materials in a shaded, well-ventilated place for three weeks. During this time, it must be turned over periodically. The collection should be stored in clothes bags in a dry place at room temperature for two years.

Echinacea is a honey plant

Conclusion

Having studied the medicinal properties of Echinacea, we can say that this plant is a real gift of nature. However, like any healing agent, it must be used correctly, following all recommendations.

Reviews from doctors and patients about Echinacea

Svetlana Stepnova, Moscow

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