Echinacea Herb Boost Immunity
Echinacea is a genus of herbaceous flowering plants in the daisy family derived from 10 plant species commonly referred to as the purple coneflower. Echinacea is promoted as a dietary supplement for the common cold and other infections based on the idea that it may stimulate the immune system and help fight off infection. Several species of echinacea most commonly Echinacea purpurea or Echinacea Angustifolia may be included in dietary supplements is used in traditional medicine. Promoters of echinacea believe the supplement boosts the immune system reducing the symptoms of infection and other illnesses and lessening the duration of the common cold however researchers have yet been unable to confirm that it provides these benefits. Coneflowers may have petals that are pink or purple in color depending on the species of plant of native plant gardening. The prickly headed coneflowers belong to the genus Echinacea in the same family as the black eyed Susans Rudbeckia tough plants with course foliage but their abundant bloom makes up for the rough edges.
Echinacea has been used by North American indigenous peoples for centuries as a folk medicine that developed over generations before the era of modern medicine. Traditional uses included external application on insect bites wounds and burns on the body, chewing of roots used for throat and tooth infections, and internal use was used for stomach cramps, snake bites, pain, and cough. Early European settlers noticed the benefits of echinacea and began to develop their own uses. According to Wallace Samson, its modern use for the common cold began when a Swiss herbal supplement maker was told that echinacea was used for cold prevention by Native American tribes who lived in the United States, By the start of the 20th century, it was the most common herbal remedy in America. Many spices of echinacea have been cultivated for commercial use while other notable E.pallida, E.angustifolia, and E.purpurea are grown as ornamental plants propagated to keep their true type. The echinacea species is an herbaceous drought tolerant perennial plant that lives for more than 2 years that grows up to 140cm or 4 feet in height grown from taproots that spread out laterally except E. purpurea which grows from a short caudex plant stem.
These cheerful prairie native echinacea species are hardy colorful plants that adapt well to modern day garden beds. The purple coneflower Echinacea purpurea with its prickly orange dome and luminous purple petals is best known as native Coneflowers and was named Perennial of the year by the Perennial Plant Association in 1998. Since then the selection of coneflowers has exploded as modern day hybridizers introduced a vivid pallet of pale lemon yellow, soft pink, creamy white, and rich magenta-purple blooms sold in the garden centers for the enthusiastic gardener. Fruity orange flowers mop top doubles including fiery red flowers have come onto the market planted in landscapes across the U.S. and are all the rage. Studies indicate Echinacea herb is one of the best infection fighters that kills many viruses, bacteria fungi including other disease causing germs.
According to Varro Tyler Herbal Expert at Purdue University in Lafayette Indicia echinacea has a little something extra. Test tube experiments indicate it may behave like an intervention a virus killing chemical produced naturally in the body. Cells bathed in echinacea were able to resist infection when exposed to either the flu or herpes viruses. German researchers have used echinacea successfully to treat colds, flu, bronchitis, tuberculous, abrasions, wounds, and other ailments. Echinacea plants contain a complex mix of active substances that may have antimicrobial and antiviral properties while others support the immune system in other ways. Today people around the world use products that contain echinacea to support the treatment of many illnesses including cough, common cold, upper respiratory infections, bronchitis, influenza, gingivitis, ear infections, and wound healing. People can find products that contain echinacea fresh, dried or in herbal tea blends or found in supplement form. Nature Way Echinacea Vitamin C Herb has been clinically shown to support the immune system available in capsules, gluten free vegan form.
Cheers!
Patricia Lynn
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