Echinacea has been used for hundreds of years to treat a variety of ailments. It helps improves your immune system, enhances your wound-healing abilities and is helpful for treating the common cold and viral infections. Echinacea, although largely safe and effective, should be taken under the care and guidance of a qualified health care professional such as a naturopathic physician or medical doctor who is trained in herbal medicine.
Plant Information
Echinacea, sometimes called purple coneflower, grows throughout the eastern and central regions of North America. Echinacea plants prefer growing conditions that range from moist to dry. These plants also thrive with exposure to the sun, often growing on the prairies or in open, yet wooded locations. The echinacea plant bears a large flower that blooms in the summer. The leaves and roots of the echinacea plant are used in herbal medicines.
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Echinacea has many useful health-supporting properties. Ed Smith, a master herbalist and author of "Therapeutic Herb Manual," states that echinacea helps tone and modulate the immune system and also acts as an anti-inflammatory agent to reduce inflammation throughout your body. Echinacea encourages the growth of connective tissue and improves wound-healing ability. Echinacea is known for its ability to fight bacterial and viral infections and it also stimulates certain kinds of white blood cells. This herb may also help cleanse the blood and lymphatic fluid.
Uses
Echinacea has been used to treat many ailments. According to Phyllis A. Balch, certified nutritional consultant and author of "Prescription for Nutritional Healing," echinacea helps treat colds, flu, allergies and other infectious conditions. Echinacea, notes Smith, is helpful for treating any condition where your immune system is under stress. Echinacea has been used to treat arthritis, boils, carbuncles, eczema, psoriasis, hives, stings, bites, lymphatic congestion and malaise. Echinacea has also been used to treat septicemia, which is also known as blood poisoning.
Warning
Echinacea is an herb that possesses many health benefits, but it may not be appropriate for everyone. For example, echinacea should not be used if you are allergic to ragweed. Before using any herbal remedy to treat your health problems, talk with a health care provider who has extensive training in botanical medicine. Your best defense against experiencing unwanted side effects associated with herbal remedies is knowledge about the herbs you are taking, which includes knowing when to discontinue their use.
References
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center: Echinacea
- "Therapeutic Herb Manual"; Ed Smith; 2007
- "Prescription for Nutritional Healing"; Phyllis A. Balch, CNC; 2010
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