The history of the echinacea flower – or echinacea – is short. Its first scientific discovery was in the eighteenth century, and this is because the original homeland of echinacea is the North American continent, which we did not even know existed.
The whites settled in the new land after Columbus’ voyage and learned a lot from its indigenous people. Among what they learned was treatment with herbs and plants. Echinacea was one of those plants used by tribal healers. They used the flower, leaves, and roots.
Echinacea was used so much that it was one of the most famous medicinal preparations in Europe in the nineteenth century, so they began to cultivate it in Europe.
What are the benefits of echinacea herb? How is it used?
The benefits and uses of echinacea herb
The echinacea flower contains a mixture of active substances with health benefits, such as anti-inflammatory, antifungal, and antibacterial agents, because these substances fall under a chemical group called phenols.
Phenol protects the flower from infection and from harmful sunlight, and it also protects us.
Echinacea is a plant rich in antioxidants that play an important role in protecting the body from various diseases. We talked about antioxidants in detail in a previous article about the role of antioxidants in resisting aging.
This is why echinacea is included in many products that treat different symptoms.
Here are the benefits of echinacea:
- Treats cough
- Helpful in bronchitis
- Treats upper thoracic tract infections
- Gingivitis improves
- Relieves ear infections
- Relieves vaginal infections
- Fights yeast infections (parasites)
- Alleviating eczema
- Treatment of bee stings
- Wound treatment
- Immune diseases
- Migraines
The truth is that most of these uses have not been scientifically proven, so we do not recommend using herbs and supplements to treat diseases without consulting a doctor.
Scientifically proven benefits of the echinacea herb
Scientists conduct a lot of research on plants to be able to determine the correct use and appropriate dose to treat a specific disease, and then monitor the side effects of this dose.
Some of the benefits of the echinacea herb have been proven by scientific experiments, including:
May protect against colds
There is a lot of research and studies that try to prove the effectiveness of echinacea in raising the ability of the immune system, and indeed 14 studies agreed to prove the ability to improve immunity and protect the body from catching a cold by 50%.
May reduce blood sugar levels
Some laboratory studies have shown the ability of echinacea extract to inhibit the enzymes responsible for digesting starches, which means they are not absorbed and blood sugar levels decrease.
In another laboratory study, it was found that echinacea extract increases the sensitivity of cells to the hormone insulin.
The effectiveness of echinacea has not yet been tested in humans, but laboratory experiments are promising.
May reduce feelings of anxiety
Scientists have discovered that echinacea contains some substances such as rosmarinic acid, caffeic acid, and alcamide, all of which have a role in alleviating feelings of anxiety.
Echinacea extract has been successful in relieving stress and anxiety in mice without causing a decrease in their activity, but research is still ongoing into its effect in humans before it can be approved as an effective treatment.
Anti-inflammatory properties
Inflammation is a vital process that protects the body and helps it heal, but sometimes it gets prolonged and it becomes important to reduce it.
In a trial on mice, echinacea successfully reduced hormones and markers of inflammation.
In another 30-day study, human adults with arthritis experienced relief in pain, inflammation, and swelling when they took a supplement containing echinacea.
May treat skin
In a laboratory study, researchers found that echinacea extract was able to eliminate Propionibacterium acnes, the bacteria that causes acne on the skin.
In another study on ten healthy adults, they found an improvement in the hydration of their skin and the appearance of wrinkles after using products containing the echinacea herb.
Echinacea and cancer
Scientists are making every effort to search for a cure for different types of cancer, and it seems that the echinacea herb may have a role in combating cancer in the future.
A laboratory study has shown that echinacea extract was able to inhibit the growth of cancer cells and even accelerate their death.
In another laboratory study on human cancer cells from the colon and pancreas, echinacea was able to stimulate a vital process called Apoptosis Or “apoptosis” or “programmed cell death.”
Echinacea may succeed in its upcoming tests and experiments on humans, and it may save lives in the future.
Echinacea and the new coronavirus
Scientists have joined forces over the past year, trying to find any solution that will save humans from this virus that cannot be satisfied.
Some of them worked on producing the vaccine, while others tried to find the appropriate treatment for patients.
A study in 2020 indicated that a specific product containing echinacea extract may prevent acute respiratory diseases caused by the Corona virus, but due to the weakness of the study, echinacea was not approved as a treatment for Corona.
Unfortunately, there is no evidence that echinacea can treat Corona, but perhaps it may increase immunity, as we mentioned previously, in addition to a healthy, balanced diet.
Benefits of Echinacea for children
As we mentioned, studies are not conclusive regarding the benefits of the echinacea herb for children, but the most important things mentioned in those studies are as follows:
- Colds
- Ear infection
- It helps get rid of acne-causing bacteria
Benefits of echinacea honey
There is no honey extracted from the herb, but what is meant is to mix echinacea flowers with honey.
After mixing and storing for a long period of up to 4 weeks, remove the flowers from the container.
As for the benefits of echinacea honey, the main benefit is strengthening immunity to prevent infections of all kinds, especially respiratory infections.
Benefits of echinacea for poultry
You may not have thought that echinacea could benefit poultry, but it actually boosts immunity even in poultry.
In a study conducted on some poultry after giving them echinacea and garlic, the symptoms of diseases decreased and the death rate decreased significantly.
How to use echinacea herb?
You can find the echinacea herb in several forms on the market:
- Dried, such as tea bags.
- Pills and capsules as nutritional supplements.
- Prepared to be applied to the skin.
- Squeezed.
As for the dosage, there is no official dosage described in pharmaceutical encyclopedias, and this is because the research on it is very mixed.
But there is research on the appropriate doses of echinacea when used as an immune system support:
- Dry extract of echinacea: It is recommended to take 300 to 500 milligrams of echinacea three times daily.
- Liquid extract of echinacea: It is recommended to take 2.5 milliliters of echinacea three times daily.
Or follow the instructions for use written on the product packaging.
I also advise you to choose a reliable brand when purchasing a product that claims to contain echinacea, as it has been found that 10% of products that claim this do not contain any echinacea.
Side effects of echinacea herb
In most cases, the use of echinacea is safe, but some side effects or allergic reactions may occur if a person is allergic to the flowers.
Side effects of echinacea when taken orally:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Headache
- diarrhea
- stomachache
- Feeling of bad taste
- Difficulty sleeping
- Feeling unbalanced
- Muscle and joint pain
Side effects of echinacea when used on the skin:
Echinacea is safe for the skin, but an allergic reaction may occur if a person is allergic to the flowers.
It may cause redness and itching of the skin.
Warnings for using echinacea:
- Echinacea for children:
Some health organizations do not recommend giving echinacea to children under 12 orally, but dermal use is safe. - Echinacea during pregnancy:
It is not preferable to use echinacea during pregnancy, due to the lack of research on its safety for the mother and fetus. - Echinacea during breastfeeding: It is not preferable to use echinacea during breastfeeding, due to the lack of research on its safety and solubility in breast milk.
- Allergies: It is prohibited to use echinacea for patients with multiple allergies, due to the possibility that they may be allergic to it as well.
I hope you liked our article about the benefits of the echinacea herb.
I repeat my advice to consult a doctor before taking any nutritional supplement to treat some symptoms, as we explained, scientists are still working hard in their research on this flower.
