Echinacea
Echinacea
Echinacea
SCIENTIFIC NAME
Purple coneflower
About
Echinacea is a renowned traditional herbal remedy for treating a variety of ailments. Native to areas east of the Rocky Mountains in the United States, as well as the western states, Canada and Europe, several species of the echinacea plant are used to make medicine from its leaves, flower and root. Every part of the plant, from the roots to the flower petals, is bursting with vital nutrients. It contains a compound called echinacein, which can help against bacterial and viral infections. Fresh herb extract made from Echinacea purpurea is a perfect remedy for symptomatic relief of colds, influenza type infections and similar upper respiratory tract conditions. By increasing the number of white blood cells, it helps your body fight infections better.
Dosage & Duration
Dry powdered extract: 300–500 mg of Echinacea purpurea, three times daily. Liquid extract tinctures: 2.5 ml, three times daily, or up to 10 ml daily However, it’s best to follow the instructions that come with your specific supplement. Keep in mind that these recommendations are for short-term use, as echinacea’s long-term effects on the body are still relatively unknown.
Benefits
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Boosts Immune System
Echinacea purpurea produces adequate quantities of glycoproteins, polysaccharides and caffeic acid derivatives that boosts immune system activity by activating macrophages and natural killer cells.
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Fights Infection
Throughout the day, the body is exposed to many unwanted pathogens, both bacterial and viral. An increase in the number of natural killer cells assists the body in fighting off the first stages of infection before the invaders causing symptoms such as those associated with the common cold. Continuous stimulation of these cells allows for the body to be better equipped to fight off the common cold.
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Stabilizes Blood Sugar Levels
While echinacea is not an alternative to traditional treatment options for diabetics, it can help stabilize blood sugar. For those with diabetes and pre-diabetes, this can help prevent blood sugar spikes and prevent individuals from becoming hypoglycemic.
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Aids Cell Growth, Repair and Regulation
Supplemental echinacea helps with healthy cell growth, repair and regulation. The antioxidants in echinacea extract kill off free radicals in the body, which damage naturally produced cells. This forces the body’s energy systems to work excessively to create more cells in order to replace the ones damaged. By combating these damaging chemicals in the body, antioxidants allow for cells to age naturally and function in full without demanding additional energy from the body for maintenance.
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Contains Cancer-Fighting Antioxidants
Antioxidants in echinacea extract may help fight against certain forms of cancer, especially breast cancer.
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Reduces Symptoms of Anxiety
Echinacea extract helps reduce symptoms associated with anxiety by intercepting signals passing forth between the body and the brain. Anxiety is caused by signals passing from the body to the brain in response to threatening stimuli. These stimuli may be visual, physical or conceptual. Echinacea can block these stimuli, decreasing the symptoms of anxiety and allowing individuals to relax.
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Reduces Symptoms of Arthritis
Echinacea can help stimulate the growth of cells and regular cell production as a part of the immune system. Its extract can reduce inflammation in chronic conditions such as arthritis. This reduction in inflammation causes a decrease in secondary symptoms such as pain and range of motion restrictions.
