What is Echinacea?

Echinacea is a coneflower and a popular herb in the world. It has been used by different people across different continents to treat different illnesses for centuries. It is more common to people living in America. Today, Echinacea is used as an ingredient in many over-the-counter medications. It is used in the improvement of many health conditions like flu and cold.

In addition, migraines, pain, and inflammation are also health conditions that Echinacea is effective at remedying. Echinacea is packed with plant compounds like alkamides, calfeic acid, rosmarinic acid, phenolic acids, and polyacetylenes.

This article elaborates on the health benefits, uses, dosage, and side effects of the purple herb.

Health Benefits of the Echinacea Plant

The following are health benefits of the echinacea plant;

Rich with Antioxidants

Echinacea is mostly made up of compounds that have been discovered to be antioxidant plant compounds. These antioxidants function as combatants that help your body fight against damages caused by oxidative stress. It protects the cells of the body by preventing oxidative damages caused by free radicals – a condition that results from metabolic processes. This oxidative damage can lead to severe health conditions like heart diseases, diabetes, and kidney diseases.

The antioxidant compounds in Echinacea are effective in the prevention and treatment of the above-mentioned health conditions.

Some of the antioxidants contained in Echinacea include; chichoric acid, rosmarinic acid, and flavonoids.

Research has shown that most of these antioxidant compounds are concentrated more in the fruits and flowers of the herb compared to the roots, leaves, and other parts of the plant.

Strengthens the Immune System

Echinacea offers the body numerous amazing health benefits. Some of these health advantages include the strengthening of the immune system. Echinacea has properties that are effective in boosting and strengthening the immune system.

The plant compounds in Echinacea are known to help your immune system fight off viruses and infections, thereby helping you recover faster from illnesses. In addition, another health benefit for which Echinacea is known is the treatment of the common cold and flu. In fact, modern studies have shown that consuming Echinacea regularly can help in the prevention of cold by a whopping 50%

Regulates Blood Sugar

One of the major agents of diabetes is high blood sugar. This condition could threaten your life if not properly maintained. Some other health conditions that high blood sugar can lead to include heart diseases, type 2 diabetes, and other severe health problems.

Research has shown that the plant compounds in Echinacea can help regulate blood sugar levels by preventing it from dropping dangerously below normal while also preventing it from shooting up high. In other words, Echinacea is a natural herb that can help keep your blood sugar in check and also help in the prevention of the health conditions associated with high blood sugar.

Further studies showed that Echinacea has the ability to reduce the enzymes that digest carbohydrates, thus diminishing the amount of sugar in your blood. In addition, it can help activate the PPAR-y receptor. This is what all diabetes drugs focus on in order to improve the condition of diabetes victims. Echinacea activates this receptor by making your body cells more sensitive to the effects of insulin. It also eliminates fats from the blood, thereby making the cells more responsive to sugar and insulin.

Improves Anxiety

Anxiety is a very general mental health condition that affects almost one 1 out of 10 of the population of the world. However, in recent times, Echinacea has been discovered to be an effective remedy for anxiety. This is because it is packed with plant compounds that can improve your moods and suppress the feeling of anxiety. Some of these compounds include; rosmarinic acid, alkamides, and caffeine acid.

Research carried out on some adult men and women showed that those who drank echinacea herbs regularly experienced an improvement in their mood and a reduction of anxiety.

Anti-inflammatory Compounds

One of the normal and natural body’s responses to healing and all cases of self-defense is inflammation. Although, this can be natural and normal and sometimes does not even require any treatment for it. However, in some cases, inflammation can get out of hand and cause severe havoc in the body by paving the way for other chronic health conditions, increasing your risk of developing these diseases by up to 40%.

Echinacea has been demonstrated to be effective in the treatment of inflammation, especially the inflammatory markers that have the tendency to lead to memory loss. In addition, people with osteoarthritis that took supplements containing Echinacea showed significant improvement in their conditions, including the swelling and the severe pain associated with the condition.

Improves Skin Conditions

The skin is the most obvious part of the body, hence the need to care for it and keep it as healthy, supple, and strong as possible. People with severe skin conditions tend to feel low of themselves and fight tooth and nail to battle the condition and return their skins to normal.

Echinacea, on the other hand, can help improve some common skin conditions. This is as a result of its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. These essential plant properties help suppress the bacteria and other infections that cause certain skin conditions like acne, eczema among others.

I’m addition, Echinacea is now an essential ingredient used by many cosmetic industries, especially in the production of creams that reduce wrinkles on the skin and encourage skin hydration. Skincare products that are made from Echinacea extracts have been shown to protect the thin outer layer of the skin, as well as prevent it from eczema.

However, Echinacea has a short shelf life. Thus, making a DIY skincare remedy from it needs extra caution.

May Prevent Cancer

Cancer is caused by the accumulation or growth of unwanted cells. Echinacea had shown positive results in the suppression of those growths. In fact, in recent times, research has shown that Echinacea can not only suppress the growth of those cancerous cells but can also kill the cells. Some of the compounds found in Echinacea that cause the death of cancer cells include the historic acid. These compounds kill cancer cells in different parts of the body, especially in the colon and in the pancreas.

Research has shown that taking echinacea herb with cancer medications can lead to drug interaction. Thus, it is important to speak to your health care service provider first before combining echinacea herbs with your cancer medication.

Side Effects of the Echinacea Herb

Side effects of Echinacea occur when the herb is taken in very large doses and when they are consumed excessively. Some people have noticed some side effects after consuming excessive amounts of echinacea herbs. Some of these side effects include;

• Swelling
• Rashes
• Hives
• Itchy skin
• Shortness of breath
• Nausea

Another group of people who might experience the side effects of echinacea herbs is people who have allergic reactions to flowers.

In addition, people who have autoimmune illnesses might experience side effects as well because Echinacea stimulates the immune system. This is why it is most satisfying to consult your doctor first before consuming echinacea herbs, especially if you are suffering from autoimmune diseases.

Dosage

Being a natural herb, Echinacea does not have any specific recommended dosage for consumption, just like most other natural herbs. However, some experts have suggested some dosages that have been considered to be safe for consumption. This suggested dosage has also proven to be effective in boosting the immune system, as well as preventing health conditions associated with inflammation. According to experts, the safest suggested dosage of Echinacea include;

300 to 500 mg of echinacea powder, at most 3 times per day

Or

205 ml, at most 3 times per day

In addition, since Echinacea these days comes as a supplement, it is best to follow the dosage recommended by the brand or by the physician.

In conclusion, Echinacea is a natural herb that is now mostly used as a supplement. They are entirely natural and have natural health benefits, which it adds to the body. Despite these health benefits, Echinacea still has some side effects. Some of these side effects include rashes, itchy skin, swelling hives, and so on. Also, there is no recommended dosage for the echinacea herb, as sometimes people use the herb naturally without taking it in supplements. However, some experts have put heads together to suggest a safe dosage for consumption. Despite the safeness of this dosage, people who are suffering from certain autoimmune are expected to avoid the herb.