Echinacea For Mononucleosis

If you are recovering from mononucleosis, or wanting to bolster your own defences against the epstein-barr virus that causes it, echinacea offers wide-spectrum immune and antiviral properties to protect your health and fight against pathogens. One of the most popular herbs on the market today, echinacea roots and aerial tops are a rich source of active chemicals that promote the proliferation of white blood cells, safely and naturally promoting the strength of the immune system as a whole. Consult with your health care professional before combining herbs with prescribed medications.

Immune function

Echinacea is one of the most popular herbal medicines used in western herbal medicine for stimulating the immune system and increasing resistance against a range of pathogenic microorganisms. In a study published in "The Journal of Medicinal Food" by Iowa State University in 2007, extracts made from echinacea stimulated the increased production of white blood cells including T cells and interferon, while inhibiting inflammatory chemicals such as interleukin. Echinacea is a safe and effective herbal supplement for increasing general immune health and supporting defences against a range of infections such as mononucleosis.

Inflammation

In a study published in "Phytotherapy Research" by the University of British Columbia in 2009, researchers discovered extracts of echinacea reduce or reverse inflammation caused by viral infections in people. Inflammation occurs through a variety of discomforting symptoms in mononucleosis, including but not limited to tonsilitis, swollen lymph nodes and skin rashes. Taking echinacea during a mononucleosis infection may reduce inflammation through the inhibition of chemicals called interleukin, which control inflammatory processes in the body.

Anti-viral Activity

Echinacea works specifically as an anti-viral agent, in addition to stimulating non-specific immune function. In a study published in "Virology Journal" by Justus-Liebig-University in 2009, researchers found echinacea work on a spectrum of levels against viruses. The study tested echinacea extracts against strains of bird flu and swine flu, discovering that echinacea inhibits the replication of viral cells, interferes with the binding of viruses onto cell receptors, and is just as effective on medication-resistant viruses as it is against normal viruses. Though more research on the effect of echinacea and the epstein-barr virus is still required, taking echinacea as a herbal medicine may provide a natural anti-viral to use as a complementary treatment to support recovery.

Lymph Nodes

Echinacea is a traditional herbal medicine used for treating conditions of the lymphatic system, including swollen lymph nodes. During a study published by the Ruprecht-Karls-University in Germany in 2003, researchers found echinacea worked on a variety of symptoms in respiratory conditions in animals, including reducing the swelling of lymph nodes. Swollen and tender lymph nodes in the neck and armpits during mononucleosis can be a discomforting symptom of the condition. Herbal medicines like echinacea that alleviate the inflammation and swelling of lymph glands while treating the underlying cause of the condition are an important addition to the treatment plan.

Chronic fatigue

Long-term chronic fatigue is one of the risk factors associated with mononucleosis, sometimes affecting people many years after recovering from the initial viral infection. While more research is needed to understand the link between mononucleosis and chronic fatigue syndrome, some research has been done on the supportive effects of natural herb treatments. In a study published in "Immunopharmacology" in 1997, echinacea and ginseng were both found to significantly increase the production of immune cells in patients suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome. Echinacea combined with ginseng may offer a long-term complementary treatment option for those with chronic fatigue syndrome, boosting immune health when immunity has been compromised.