Description
Echinacea is a plant mainly known for its potential to enhance the immune system and help fight some infections. It is known for its purple flower.
Possible Benefits
- May improve the immune system
- Combats the symptoms of the common cold
- May help to heal wounds and burns
Required Equipment
Capsules, tablets, lotion, extract or raw plant
How to Do It
If you want to treat the common cold, you can prepare an infusion with echinacea leaves and drink it as a tea several times a day. To treat wounds or burns, apply echinacea-based lotion to the affected area. You can also use it as a supplement to strengthen your immune system.
Why it works
- The main action of echinacea is immunomodulation. It influences the cells of the immune system, helping them to protect more effectively from different infections.
- Echinacea also promotes the generation of fibroblasts, a cell type that stimulates the reconstruction of affected tissues, and the formation of scars.
Time Commitment
1-5 minutes
Suggested Frequency
At least 3 times a day to treat a cold
For other uses, according to the manufacturer's instructions
Time of Day
Any
Possible Side Effects
- It can cause minor discomforts such as stomach upset, nausea and dizziness.
- If you have an immune system disorder, it is best to consult your doctor before taking echinacea.
- Avoid during pregnancy.
Tips
- It has been shown that if echinacea is consumed when the first cold symptom appears, there is a moderate chance of avoiding the rest of the symptoms.
- Its potential to strengthen the immune system in the long term is still being investigated.
- In the 19th century, echinacea was one of the most widely used drugs in the United States
Supporting Studies and Articles
Expand Collapse- Echinacea for preventing and treating the common cold. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24554461
- Medicinal properties of Echinacea: a critical review. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12622467
- Safety and Efficacy Profile of Echinacea purpurea to Prevent Common Cold Episodes: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3457740/
- Skin improvement and stability of Echinacea purpurea dermatological formulations. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20384903
- The potential use of Echinacea in acne: control of Propionibacterium acnes growth and inflammation. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20830697
- Immunomodulators Inspired by Nature: A Review on Curcumin and Echinacea. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6278270/
