Often plants have such healing power that often some medicines do not. Echinacea is a plant where medicine and nature have stood on one side. The roots, leaves and flowers of purple echinacea have become the basis of many drugs with antiviral, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, antifungal, immunomodulatory, diuretic, bactericidal, anti-allergic, antirheumatic properties. In this article you will learn about how to use the herb Echinacea for immunity, about its properties and methods of application.
What is this plant?
Echinacea is a perennial that belongs to the family of asters. The flowers of the plant have a pleasant pink tint that can turn purple - therefore it is called purple coneflower. There are several types of plants that differ in appearance and color, but they all have the same healing properties. In ancient times it was called the "flower of health", due to the healing properties that it possesses. The plant is a powerful immunomodulator with virtually no side effects. Numerous studies of scientists show that the herb Echinacea for immunity is of great importance.
What does it contain?
Scientists studied the chemical composition of the plant and concluded that echinacea contains seven groups of nutrients. Among them are flavonoids, insulin, polysaccharides, alkylamides, sinorin and chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid derivatives - echinosides, antioxidants, essential oils, trace elements - magnesium, aluminum, potassium, iron and vitamins.
The best way to raise immunity - echinacea
The grass is considered a strong immunostimulant, no other plant can boast of this. It has another unique property - the ability to suppress the growth of staphylococci and streptococci, bacteria that cause most purulent and inflammatory diseases, such as sinusitis, tonsillitis, furunculosis.
Echinacea grass for immunity is taken as an immunostimulant both during exacerbation of infectious diseases, and for their prevention. Echinacea will bring particular benefit in the autumn and spring. It is at this time that there is an increase in the incidence of influenza and the common cold, due to the fact that the body at this time is most weakened.
Echinacea activity to enhance immunity
Specialists conducted a lot of research, and the following conclusions were made: echinacea helps stimulate the production of white blood cells in the body, the main role of which is to combat the invasion of foreign particles. Due to the many valuable components that make up the plant, and such an impact is possible. Due to a number of complex substances called phenolic compounds, all this leads to the effect of immune enhancement. All components of this unique herb - leaves, roots, flowers - contain the most diverse immunostimulating components. The result of which is an increase in human immunity.
Indications for use
In what cases should you take echinacea? Consider some factors that indicate a decrease in immunity, and it's time to take care of your health:
- often suffer from colds;
- boils appear on the body;
- the recovery process is difficult and slow;
- herpes often appears on the lips;
- the need to strengthen immunity;
- the appearance of weakness;
- insect bites, burns (externally);
- poor sleep, irritation;
- female diseases, including thrush;
- take alcohol, smoke;
- treatment of staphylococcus, streptococcus, E. coli;
- take antibiotics;
- ear infections;
- temperature increase for no apparent reason to 37.2 degrees;
- diseases of the bladder and liver;
- live in an environmental disaster area.
Beneficial features
Although the herb Echinacea for immunity and other diseases is not a panacea, its beneficial effect on the human body can not be underestimated. It has a general strengthening effect, increases the protective functions of the immune system, thereby helping to avoid frequent colds, and in case of their occurrence - a speedy recovery.
All funds, which include echinacea, have a lot of useful properties.
- Activate macrophages, lymphocytes and granulocytes, increase the body's defenses (increase immunity), relieve bacteria, inflammatory processes and viruses.
- They increase the productivity of hormones, gently act against allergic reactions to the body.
- They have a beneficial effect in the treatment of cystitis, hepatitis, nephritis and many inflammatory diseases in women.
- Accelerate the process of blood coagulation and contribute to the rapid healing of wounds.
- Show high results in the treatment of diseases of the male reproductive system.
- Help with ulcers, constipation and gastrointestinal tract diseases.
Side effects and contraindications
Despite the fact that Echinacea purpurea (grass for immunity) is extremely beneficial for the body, there are a number of reasons why some people should refuse to take decoctions and infusions from this plant. Who should refrain from using echinacea? Those who have the following diseases:
- tuberculosis;
- diabetes;
- oncological diseases;
- AIDS;
- acute leukemia;
- autoimmune diseases;
- individual intolerance;
- red systemic lupus erythematosus.
Among the side effects, the occurrence of allergic reactions (isolated cases) to the substances that make up the plant can be noted. Usually they appear in the form of a rash and itching. The regular use of tinctures and decoctions of Echinacea in large quantities can provoke an upset gastrointestinal tract and increased excitability of the nervous system. You should not be treated with these drugs for acute tonsillitis, cerebral arteriosclerosis. Alcohol tinctures should not be taken by pregnant women during lactation. In addition, there are contraindications to the use of herbal tea for young mothers, it is best to start using it after completing breastfeeding.
Echinacea Pills
Medicines are made from Echinacea purpurea and are used to treat chronic diseases, viruses, and acute respiratory infections. The components that make up the tablets show high effectiveness in the fight against herpes and liver diseases, and contribute to the purification of blood. When taking medicines based on the herb Echinacea (for immunity) - the instructions must be strictly observed.
Echinacea Tincture
Usually it is used to raise immunity for colds and flu. Often, tincture of echinacea is recommended to improve memory, treat infertility. Both in men and in women. And also to enhance potency. In addition to using the Echinacea herb for immunity in the form of tinctures, its use reduces appetite, which allows you to lose weight and fight obesity. Sometimes tincture is used (albeit extremely rarely) as a lifesaver from anxiety and depression. With the help of numerous experiments, it was proved that tinctures from echinacea are not toxic.
Herbal tea
Such a drink stimulates the immune system, assists the body in the fight against various infections and colds. However, it is necessary to pay attention to contraindications and the rules for using the Echinacea herb for immunity.
Homemade Herb Recipes
Consider how to make at home tincture of echinacea. In order to preserve all the healing properties of the plant, you need to know how to do it correctly. Take:
- 200 g of fresh Echinacea (or 50 g of dry);
- liter of vodka.
Pour phyto raw materials with vodka, always of good quality, remove to a dark place for 15-20 days, shake regularly. After which we filter the mixture and can be used as intended.
Infusion and decoction
You can make an infusion according to a simpler and quicker recipe, which also does not contain alcohol. Should be prepared:
- 1 tbsp. l dry grass;
- 0.5 l of boiling water.
The best option for making an infusion is to use a thermos. We place raw materials in it, pour boiling water, leave overnight, filter in the morning.
To prepare a decoction of Echinacea herb for immunity is also quite simple. Connect 1 tsp. herbs and 200 ml of boiled water and insist on a water bath, and then filter.
Tea picking
Tea collection with echinacea has a positive effect on raising immunity, prevention, treatment of colds and flu. Raw materials can be purchased at any pharmacy or prepared by yourself. Take a teaspoon of chopped roots and leaves of the plant, mix with three flowers of echinacea and fill with freshly boiled water. Within an hour you can enjoy a tasty and healthy drink.
Echinacea: herb for immunity - how to take?
In fact, there are many different recommendations on how to properly take such drugs at different ages. Experienced herbalists advise you to do this as follows.
- Decoctions based on Echinacea for adult patients are recommended to be taken in a volume of not more than 300 ml per day strictly before meals (divided into 3 doses).
- The recommended dose of infusion from Echinacea herb (for immunity to adults) is 150 ml three times a day before each meal for 30 minutes.
- Tincture is taken as follows. 26 drops twice a day half an hour before meals.
Please note: the duration of admission can last no more than ten days, then you should take a break for five days and continue treatment again, which should be repeated two more times for ten days. In the event that a need arises for repeated treatment, this can be done no earlier than a month's respite.
Tablets are taken according to the instructions for at least 7 days, but not more than 8 weeks.
Echinacea tea should be taken one glass three times a day with meals.
Is it possible to give children?
All preparations from the herb Echinacea for immunity for children, as well as decoctions and teas, have practically no contraindications. Exceptions can be only those cases when allergic reactions occur or there is an individual intolerance to echinacea. In addition, it is strictly forbidden to give children alcohol-based tinctures based on plants. Children under one year old should give decoctions of grass. Syrups may be contraindicated due to the fact that they contain sugar, which can cause diathesis.
Echinacea herb for immunity: how to take children? Consider the instructions for the use of drugs.
Medicines in the form of tablets are recommended for children after the age of four for colds and flu. Until the age of twelve, the recommended dose is no more than 3 tablets per day, if there is no disease. Give 1 tablet three times a day. If the child is sick, then up to 5 per day. After the age of twelve, give 2 tablets twice a day outside the disease. And five times for the treatment of diseases.
Children from the age of three can be given tea - 50 ml three times a day, but not longer than five weeks. It is best to mix Echinacea infusions with compotes and juices. And take it just like tea.
Where to get Echinacea herb and drugs from it?
All funds can be purchased at any pharmacy in the form of a collection, herbal tea, tablets, alcohol tincture. According to reviews, the herb Echinacea for immunity is presented in a wide assortment in the form of high-quality organic preparations in collections, non-alcoholic drops, capsules with a variety of additives for adults and children. Carefully reading the presented assortment, you are sure to find the right dosage form for you.
If you have no contraindications for the use of Echinacea, be sure to find a place for it in your home pharmacy. Be sure to take drugs in the autumn-winter period as a preventive measure to combat colds.
Reviews
Increasingly, experts recommend using echinacea-based drugs as an immunomodulator during colds, after mental or physical overwork, after a course of radiation therapy, and taking antibiotics. However, when using the herb Echinacea for immunity, they recommend that you strictly follow the instructions for use. What do patients themselves think about the effectiveness of such treatment? Many of them note that the use of echinacea for the prevention of colds really gives a positive effect. It is noted that the incidence of diseases has decreased significantly. In addition, it can not but rejoice at a very affordable price. No side effects were found while taking the drugs.
Many people know that after infections, the body needs time to restore the imbalance in the immune system. For this reason, many patients use immunomodulators, the effect of which is really proven and works great, as consumers say. According to reviews, echinacea helps get rid of even chronic herpes. It is only necessary to drink the whole course.