For many, echinacea is medicinaland a plant with a beautiful purple flower (and a strange-sounding name) – the undisputed champion among plant boosters of the immune system.
This solid reputation has made Echinacea a top supplement to help protect against upper respiratory tract infections and reduce the severity and duration of symptoms, if an infection does occur. Conventional wisdom suggesting the benefits of echinacea (and sage lozenges) as an early sore throat remedy has found strong support in recent research.
This study highlights the potential of this plant as a valuable and safe intervention for the management of this common disease.
Moreover, in a review published in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, the authors reported that Echinacea supplementation has been shown to be beneficial in the prevention of common upper respiratory tract problems. But immunity support is not the only gift of this versatile herb. Read on to see what else Echinacea can do.
Beneficial flower: Echinacea is more than just a "pretty face"
Echinacea, originally prized by Great Plains Indian tribes as a remedy for toothache, snakebite, joint pain, infections and skin rashes, is commonly known as purple coneflower. Its daisy-like flowers make it a popular addition to cottage gardens – but don't let its dainty appearance fool you. This plant is rich in bioactive elements such as glycoproteins, polysaccharides, alkamides, flavonoids and vitamin C, and several studies have revealed antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anticancer and antidiabetic effects.
Tri are Echinacea species in common use: E. purpurea, E. pallida and E. augustifolia. Although all are believed to be beneficial, most studies have focused on E. purpurea.
Intriguingly, different parts of the plant are thought to have specific properties, with the roots containing more volatile oils and the leaves and flowers richer in polysaccharides believed to boost immune function.
Echinacea may work against cytokine storms
In a 2021 review published in the journal Metabolism Open, the authors presented echinacea as a potential weapon against cytokine storms. These destructive episodes occur when an infection causes a rapid release of pro-inflammatory chemicals in the body. The authors pointed out that echinacea can reduce the levels of pro-inflammatory molecules interleukin-6, interleukin-8 and tumor necrosis factor. Echinacea's potential to reduce inflammation means it can also effectively relieve pain. Topical creams containing echinacea have long been recommended by holistic health care providers to relieve pain from arthritis, insect bites and sunburns.
Echinacea can lift mood and relieve anxiety
Recent studies have highlighted the potential of Echinacea as a mild natural antidepressant. In a 2020 placebo-controlled study published in Phytotherapy Research, patients with anxiety were given 40 mg of E. angustifolia or a placebo twice daily for one week. The group receiving echinacea experienced an 11-point reduction in anxiety on the anxiety scale, compared to just three points in the placebo group. The researchers speculated that the improvement was caused by the effects of Echinacea alkamide on the cannabinoid CB1 and CB2 receptors. And in a clinical study published in 2021 in the Journal of Affective Disorders, 80 mg of E. augustifolie daily for six weeks worked better than a placebo in promoting emotional well-being in adults with mild to moderately severe anxiety.
Hope for stubborn eczema
Eczema, an inflammatory skin condition, can cause rashes, swelling, itching, blistering and peeling of the skin. A 2018 study published in the journal Clinical Cosmetology and Investigative Dermatology found that participants with atopic eczema experienced significant improvement in skin redness, burning, itching, and dryness after two to four weeks of using E. purpurea root extract emulsions. A separate three-month clinical trial showed that echinacea emulsion with linoleic acid improved symptoms in patients with acute and chronic pruritis (itching). Improvements lasted up to 12 weeks. The researchers speculated that echinacea might inhibit the release of histamine and called it a "promising" treatment. (By the way, integrative dermatologists report that echinacea has also been shown to improve skin hydration and reduce the appearance of wrinkles—never a bad thing!)
Echinacea is available in the form of tinctures, capsules, tablets, gums, teas, emulsions and creams. Recommended amounts vary considerably, depending on the condition being treated.
The plant is considered safe for short-term use, but digestive side effects have been reported. Consult your holistic practitioner before trying echinacea.
And don't use it if you're allergic to it – or any ingredient families. As the winter season is almost upon us, the value of echinacea is obvious.
But this beneficial plant clearly has more to offer.
By Lori Alton, Staff Writer | October 20, 2023 echinacea (NaturalHealth365) “Do you have a runny nose? Better take some echinacea!”
Sources for this article include:
NIH.gov
VeryWellHealth.com
DovePress.com
ScienceDirect.com
Wiley.com
ScienceDaily.com
ScienceDirect.com
DrHomeo.com
