The level of therapeutic potential of some plants is not inferior even to powerful antibiotic drugs. Echinacea purpurea is often used instead of drugs. The main thing is that the medicinal properties and contraindications of Echinacea correspond not only to the needs, but also to the individual characteristics of the patient's health.
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Echinacea herb - healing and beneficial properties
Echinacea is a perennial plant of the Astrov family. Despite the fact that the plant’s homeland is in the east of the North American continent, tall grass stems topped with purple-pink inflorescences can be found in most of our household plots.
For many gardeners, echinacea (or rudbeckia) is, first of all, an ornamental plant. Nevertheless, the healing properties of the flower are known even to people far from gardening. What is not surprising - many popular medicines have been created on the basis of the herb extract.
The plant owes its healing capabilities to its rich chemical composition.
Due to the presence of essential oils, vitamins A, C and E, organic acids, natural antimycotics, glycosides, tannins, antioxidants and trace elements such as iron, selenium, silicon and calcium, the total benefit of echinacea is equivalent to the action of several drugs, including multivitamin complexes and antibiotics.
The use of the plant provides a therapeutic result in several directions at once.
Active substances of Echinacea purpurea:
- participate in hematopoiesis;
- stimulate the formation of bones, nail plates, hair and teeth;
- prevent cell aging;
- inhibit the development of tumors;
- activate the synthesis of interferons and increase immunity;
- bind free radicals and toxins and contribute to their elimination;
- support the restoration of damaged tissues;
- enhance the protective potential of the liver.
It is characteristic that, unlike other medicinal herbs, all the terrestrial parts of purple coneflower, both inflorescences and stems with leaves, are of pharmacological interest.
What diseases does it help?
The powerful effect of the active components of Echinacea purpurea enhances the therapeutic effect in the treatment of most infectious diseases (including sexually transmitted diseases), as well as with exacerbations of a neurological nature.
The use of plant extracts is indicated for:
- respiratory and viral diseases - influenza, acute respiratory infections;
- diseases with a chronic course - hepatitis, rheumatoid arthritis, prostatitis, nephritis and cystitis;
- skin lesions - purulent wounds, trophic ulcers, boils, eczema, psoriasis, burns, including sunburn;
- pathologies of ENT organs - rhinitis, pharyngitis, tonsillitis, sinusitis;
- fungal infections - thrush, trichophytosis;
- infectious pathologies - urinary tract damage, gonorrhea, syphilis, typhoid fever, scarlet fever, meningitis, typhoid, malaria, diphtheria, human papillomavirus.
In addition, the use of echinacea is appropriate for septic processes, bee stings, mosquitoes and snakes, exacerbation of the herpes virus, hemorrhoids, oncological processes, streptococcal infections, as well as headaches and dizziness.
Echinacea for immunity
Due to its powerful immunomodulating properties, Echinacea herb is recognized worldwide as one of the most effective medicinal plants for enhancing immunity. The effect of grass is expressed in increasing the resistance of cells to damage by pathogenic microorganisms.
Echinacea purpurea not only prevents the penetration of microbes through the cell membrane, but also blocks the very possibility of their spread throughout the body.
Moreover, the active substances of the herb increase the number of leukocytes in the blood, enhance phagocytic processes and stimulate the production of immunoglobulins.
Benefits for children
Echinacea purpurea has received the most successful and widespread use in the treatment of childhood respiratory diseases. Strengthening the body's resistance to damage by a viral infection, the plant allows not only to shorten the recovery period, but also to strengthen the immune system.
No less effective are plant extracts used to prevent childhood diseases.
In oncology
Thanks to the existence of plants such as Echinacea purpurea, the possibility of treating cancer with herbs has gained real promise.
It is proved that the use of Echinacea drugs stops the development of malignant tumors already in the initial stage.
One of the components of the herb, glycoprotein, has the ability to directly affect atypical cells.
In addition, the overall effect of the active components in the plant provides powerful support for the immune system:
- increases the number of phagocytic cells;
- stimulates the synthesis of interferon;
- enhances the functionality of T-lymphocytes;
- promotes the production of immunoglobulins that neutralize the action of antigens.
Using Echinacea-based products is a great way to prevent cancer.
During pregnancy
It is known that the majority of traditional medicines are contraindicated for expectant mothers, therefore, preference is usually given to herbal remedies. And since echinacea is on the list of the most popular immunomodulatory plants, it is chosen first.
However, the opinions of doctors on this issue are not so clear.The reason is that there has been very little research into the effect of echinacea on the development of pregnancy and the fetus. And although there were no specific contraindications to treatment with echinacea by pregnant women, doctors do not recommend the use of plant-based products for more than a week.
Echinacea with a cold
The most important property of Echinacea is the ability to strengthen the immune system and support the body in the fight against pathogens. The use of the plant during colds allows you to use the entire rich composition of the plant and thus increase the level of resistance to any microorganisms, including viruses.
Studies by scientists have shown that regular intake of echinacea extract reduces the likelihood of developing colds by 55%.
Instructions for use Echinacea
You can use the healing power of Echinacea purpurea by using a decoction, tincture and tea from the plant, or use ready-made pharmaceutical products based on it.
Tincture
Echinacea tincture - a drug created on the basis of extracts from the roots of the plant and ethyl alcohol 60%. In addition, alcohol tincture of Echinacea can be made at home. To do this, four parts of the crushed plant material are poured with one part of alcohol with a strength of 70% and incubated for a month.
You need to take such a tincture 15 drops before a meal - adding to tea or diluting with water.
The use of tincture is indicated for patients prone to frequent respiratory diseases and patients with slowly healing trophic ulcers.
Echinacea Pills
Medicines based on echinacea are also available in the form of tablets, the pharmacological activity of which is ensured by the action of grass juice. Among the indications for taking tablets based on Echinacea purpurea juice are colds, flu, long-term antibiotic treatment, as well as preventive measures.
Children from 4 to 12 years old take one tablet three times a day. The adult dose is two tablets three times a day. For colds, the number of doses is recommended to be increased up to five times a day.
Decoction
Decoctions and teas from Echinacea purpurea are prepared at home.
To prepare a decoction, take 10 g of a dry plant and 500 ml of water. The tool is brought to readiness with a slight boil, then insisted for about three hours in a warm place and filtered.
You need to take a decoction of echinacea before eating. Children under 7 years old - one tablespoon, children from 7 to 14 years old - two to three tablespoons within two weeks. A single dose for adults is half a cup of decoction.
In ampoules or capsules
Intramuscular administration of Echinacea purpurea is possible using the complex preparation Echinacea compositum. The composition of the product, in addition to echinacea, includes several medicinal plants with anti-inflammatory, immunomodulating and detoxifying properties.
A single dose of injection for children depends on the age and weight of the patient, so it is determined by the doctor. Adults are shown the introduction of one ampoule of the drug with a volume of 2.2 ml three times a week.
Echinacea: side effects
In case of individual intolerance by the patient of the active components of the plant, the use of drugs with echinacea extract can cause the development of adverse reactions.
The characteristic signs of allergies are:
- urticaria, erythema, and itchy rashes throughout the body;
- cough, runny nose, sneezing;
- nausea, vomiting, diarrhea;
- weakness, feeling tired, dizziness;
- headache.
The most pronounced manifestation of adverse reactions is Quincke's edema.
If there is the slightest ailment after taking funds based on echinacea, it is necessary to stop taking the drug and immediately consult a doctor.
Contraindications
The optimal therapeutic effect when taking Echinacea is achieved only in case of full compliance with medical recommendations.
Doctors are considered undesirable to use plant-based products in the following cases:
- with tuberculosis;
- after organ transplantation;
- if the patient has a history of allergic reactions to plants of the family Asteraceae - chamomile, chrysanthemum, marigold;
- with liver dysfunctions.
The use of echinacea in case of autoimmune and systemic pathologies - leukemia, AIDS, HIV infection is categorically contraindicated.
Also, do not use drugs based on the plants in question as an additional immunomodulator when taking drugs with a similar effect.
Echinacea purpurea is an amazing gift of nature that can restore health only with a reasonable approach to treatment and under watchful medical supervision.
