Echinacea

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Echinacea Purpurea TRADITIONAL USE: Helpful in building resistance to infections of the respiratory and digestive tracts. Used for inflammatory conditions, bacterial and viral infections, yeast infections, cold and flu. Better known as an immune system stimulant. Classification: Mucilaginous herb. Cool energy. Echinacea Purpurea is the Latin name for an herb native to the central and southwestern U.S. The plants grow in open fields and rocky soils, and bear purple flowers which resemble black-eyed susans. Echinacea was widely used by the plains Indians. American settlers also adopted its use, and the herb has been valued by natural health care advocates since. It has been one of the most scientifically studied herbs, especially in Europe. In 1972, a study appeared in the Journal of Medical Chemistry showing that an Echinacea extract inhibited tumor growth en rats. Echinacea is

very high in chromium, iron, manganese, niacin, riboflavin, selenium and vitamin C. (Nature's sunshine) Native Americans were the first to use Echinacea to treat coughs, colds and sore throats. Over 350 scientific studies indicate Echinacea provides wound healing, anti-inflammatory and antiviral activity. Echinacea works with your body's natural defenses to help protect against invading microorganisms. Echinacea's powerful antioxidants, and many other beneficial elements, make it the perfect nutritional supplement. (The Herbalist, Spring 1997) We owe Native Americans a debt of gratitude for introducing the settlers to the wonders of this purple cone-flower plant. Indians of the Great Plains first used this herb as a remedy for snakebites and other skin wounds. They also applied the root of this plant directly to the mouth for toothaches and sore throats. Word of echinacea's

healing properties traveled back to Europe where it is one of the most sough-after herbs and one of the better researched as well. There is renewed interest in echinacea today in the United States because of this herb's positive effect on the immune system. Many studies have shown that echinacea prevents the formation of an enzyme called hyaluronidase, which destroys a natural barrier between healthy tissue and unwanted pathogenic organisms. Thus, echinacea helps the body maintain its line of defense against unwanted invaders, especially viruses. In 1972, a study appeared in the Journal of the Medical Chemistry showing that an echinacea extract inhibited tumor growth in rats. Echinacea function in patients receiving chemotherapy. In 1978, a study in Planta Medica showed that a root extract destroyed both herpes and influenza viruses. Several European studies show that echinacea appears to lessen the severity of colds and flu, and helps speed

recovery. Echinacea has also been used successfully to treat candida, an annoying and persistent fungal infection. Infact, patients treated with an antifungal cream and echinacea extract were less likely to suffer a recurrence than those treated soley with the antifungal cream. Other studies show that echinacea has been used successfully to treat psoriasis and eczemza. Many of the active compounds in echinacea can be destroyed during processing. Freeze drying is the most effective way to preserve this herb's healing properties. A fully potent echinacea preparation will create a tingling sensation on the tongue. If yours doesn't, you're missing out on some important compounds. (Earl Mindell's, Herb Bible) Resembling a black-eyed , echinacea or purple coneflower is a North American perennial that is indigenous to the central plains where it grows on road banks, prairies, fields and in dry, open woods. It is also

called snake root because it grows from a thick black root that Indians used to treat snake bites. Herbalists consider Echinacea one of the best blood purifiers and an effective antibiotic. It activates the body's immune system increasing the chances of fighting off any disease. This popular herb has been used to help ward off the common cold and to relieve the symptoms of hay fever. The Plains Indians used various species of echinacea to treat poisonous insect and snake bites, toothaches, sore throat, wounds, as well as mumps, smallpox, and measles. The settlers quickly adopted the therapeutic use of the plant, and since that time it has become one of the top selling herbs in the United States. Since the early 1900's hundreds of scientific articles have been written about echinacea. Most of the research during the past 10 years has focused on the immunostimulant properties of the plant. The constituents of echinacea

include essential oil, polysaccharides, polyacetylenes, betain, glycoside, sesquiterpenes and caryophylene. It also contains copper, iron, tannins, protein, fatty acids and vitamins A, C, and E. The most important immune-stimulating components are the large polysaccharides, such as inulin, that increase the production of T-cells and increase other natural killer cell activity. Fat-soluble alkylamides and a caffeic acid glycoside called echinacoside also contribute to the herb's immune empowering effects. It has been shown in animal and human studies to improve the migration of white blood cells to attack foreign microorganisms and toxins in the bloodstream. Research suggests that echinacea's activity in the blood may have value in the defense of tumor cells. Echinacea properties may offer benefit for nearly all infectious conditions. Studies show echinacea prevents the formation of an enzyme which destroys a natural barrier between healthy

tissue and damaging organisms. Echinacea is considered an effective therapeutic agent in many infectious conditions including upper respiratory infections, the common cold and sinusitis. The herb is a mild antibiotic that is effective against staph and strep infections. Echinacea aids in the production of interferon has increases antiviral activity against, influenza (flu), herpes, an inflammation of the skin and mouth. It may reduce the severity of symptoms such as runny nose and sore throat and reduce the duration of illness. Echinacea's antibacterial properties can stimulate wound healing and are of benefit to skin conditions such as burns, insect bites, ulcers, psoriasis, acne and eczema. It's anti-inflammatory properties may relieve arthritis and lymphatic swelling. It has also been used in homeopathy treatments for chronic fatigue syndrome, indigestion, gastroenteritis, and weight loss. (Herbal Information

Center) USES: Echinacea was one of the most important herbs of Native Americans. It was used for snakebites, venomous insect bites and burns. They knew of echinacea root as a blood cleanser for boils, septic sores and abscesses. Modern research has since confirmed the antibacterial properties of echinacea root. It has been found to strengthen and stimulate the immune system. Echinacea increases the ability of the body to resist infections. It is known as the King of Blood Purifiers for it's ability to remove toxins from the blood. Echinacea improves the lymphatic filtration and drainage. A natural antibiotic, it has been used in conjunction with Chickweed to aid in weight loss. Anti-viral, Anti-catarrhal, Alterative, and Immunostimulant. A few of the many conditions which have been treated with Echinacea are: Animal or insect bites, burns, impetigo, diaper rash, acne, skin ulcer, celiac disease, food

poisoning, gastroenteritis, indigestion/heartburn, influenza, viral infections, sinusitis, rhinitis (common cold), chronic fatigue syndrome, food sensitivities, hayfever, mononucleosis and rheumatoid arthritis. (Health Trek) MEDICINAL ACTION AND USES---Echinacea increases bodily resistance to infection and is used for boils, erysipelas, septicaemia, cancer, syphilis and other impurities of the blood, its action being antiseptic. It has also useful properties as a strong alterative and aphrodisiac. As an injection, the extract has been used for haemorrhoids and a tincture of the fresh root has been found beneficial in diphtheria and putrid fevers. (Botanical

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