Echinacea
Echinacea is the primary herbal immune support. It has become one of the most popular herbs of our age.
Name: The 2 kinds of Echinacea commonly used today are Echinacea angustifolia and Echinacea purpurea. In Europe, purpurea dominates the market. Echinacea is commonly called ‘purple cone flower’.
Part used: The root is the most commonly used part. However, the whole plant can be used as the leaves and flowers contain useful medicinal constituents as well as the root.
Active Constituents: There are several groups of chemicals in Echinacea that contribute to its overall activity. For this reason Echinacea is best used as a whole extract, such as a tincture, rather than a standardised extract. Standardised extracts are made with one specific chemical used as a measure of the herbs activity. An extract should also be made from the root and the herb, as we saw above, there are actives in both parts of the herb. The chemical makeup of purpurea and angustifolia vary slightly, so to gain maximum benefit, an extract should be made from both species. The Swiss Herbal Remedies Echinacea tincture is a 50:50 mix of purpurea and angustifolia and is made from roots and tops of the herb.
What is Echinacea used for? Echinacea first came to the attention of the western world thanks to the American Indians. They used Echinacea, mainly angustifolia, in the treatment of any kind of infection or poisoning. In the 1800′s the Eclectic physicians of America picked up on the traditional use and soon it was being applied in the treatment of all manner of serious infections such as TB, syphilis, diptheria, typhus, abscesses, septicaemia, gangrene etc. It was also applied externally as a cleansing and anti-inflammatory agent in the treatment of any infected, foul or discharging ulcer, wound, venomous bite, injury etc.
As the Eclectic movement wound up, Echinacea use in the US declined. Echinacea re-emerged as a useful medicine again during the 1970′s and 80′s when, after much work on Echinacea in Germany, it came back to popular use as public interest in the immune system came to the fore with the emergence of diseases such as AIDS and ME.
To date there are over 400 scientific studies that have been carried out into the use of Echinacea. What the studies have shown is that Echinacea helps us to fight infection, not by killing disease causing organisms directly, as would an antibiotic, for example, but by activating certain cells of our immune system to attack the disease causing organisms. These cells include T-lymphocytes, macrophages, neutrophils and natural killer cells. These are the types of immune cells that wander around our blood stream and tissues, and upon contacting a bacteria, virus, fungus, parasite or malignant cell attach to it and attack it, disabling it with enzymes and engulfing it. Once activated, these immune cells then produce chemicals such as interleukins that leads to further immune activation and amplification of the immune response. Interferon levels are elevated and this specifically helps to fight viruses.
Echinacea also inhibits hyaluronidase. Hyaluronidase is an enzyme produced by certain organisms that breaks down our connective tissues and allows invading organisms further into our bodies. Blocking this enzyme helps to maintain a solid barrier to invasion by disease causing organisms. To back this up, Echinacea stimulates fibroblasts, the cells that create new connective tissues and lead to wound healing, whilst exerting an anti-inflammatory effect.
Specific applications of Echinacea: Due to the fact Echinacea causes an increased immune response then the number of conditions that could be approached with it are obviously quite numerous. Echinacea could, in theory, be used as part of the treatment any bacterial, viral, fungal or parasitic infection.
Respiratory infections - Echinacea helps to reduce the symptoms of colds and influenza and speeds the recovery process. Echinacea can also be used in the treatment of bronchitis, tonsillitis, laryngitis, sinusitis and middle ear infections. Echinacea is useful if the cause is viral or bacterial.
Urinary tract infections - Acute or chronic cases of cystitis, urethritis and prostatitis will benefit from the addition of Echinacea to the treatment regimen. Echinacea is also useful in the treatment of vaginal infections such as Candida and Trichomonas.
Gut infections - Any type of gut infection will benefit from the use of Echinacea. Nowadays gut parasites and Candida seem to be an ever increasing problem and Echinacea is perfectly poised to help us fight these problems.
Skin infections - Echinacea can be taken internally and applied externally to all types of bacterial and viral skin infection. In fact externally, Echinacea is not only useful to fight infection but to clean wounds reduce inflammation of the skin and encourage healing.
Cautions and contraindications: Echinacea is a very safe herb for children as well as adults.
You should not take Echinacea if you are a transplant patient, or are on immuno-suppressive therapy mediactions.
Those suffering from leukaemia or HIV should consult a Doctor before using Echinacea.
Avoid in cases of known hypersensitivity to Echinacea preparations.
Echinacea Myth: Many time restrictions have been suggested, but they are not necessarily correct. There is no reason why Echinacea purpurea should not be used long term for up to eight weeks, at a maintenance dose, if you have a weak immune system and want to avoid getting colds all winter. However, if you are suffering from a cold or flu and your symptoms persist for longer than 10 days, you should go to your doctor.
Echinacea can be taken both short and long term.
