The Immune Boosting Benefits of Echinacea

By Ruth Pritcher

Native American Tribes have known the value of Echinacea for centuries. At least fourteen of them used it to fight off cold symptoms and infections. In the early 1900's in the United States, Echinacea was the best selling herb. However, it virtually fell into disuse for two reasons. First the discovery of antibiotics supposedly far exceeded the value of herbs. Second, in about 1930, the AMA pronounced Echinacea to be "useless." Today we are taking a second look at this herb and have found many medicinal values. In fact, it is one of the best known herbs in modern times.

Echinacea is popularly called coneflower. There are nine species of Echinacea, but the best known is purpurea. It is a perennial, growing to a height of 3 to 4 feet and produces beautiful purple flowers 4 to 6 inches across. The flowers are also called droops because the petals droop after growing outward from the cone.

Most of the research done on Echinacea purpurea was done by Dr. Gerhard Madaus in Germany. Among other things, he developed Echinacin, a juice made from the flowers, leaves, and stems of the Echinacea plant. Though all the plant has value, the roots are the most potent part of the plant.

Scientists have reconsidered this herb since the AMA's first erroneous conclusion. Now Echinacea is believed to be an excellent infection fighter and is used as an effective natural antibiotic. It is often mixed in combination with other herbs, such as yarrow, goldenseal, and cayenne. It is commonly used to treat problems in the blood such as poisonous bites of snakes and insects, carbuncles, gangrene, and abscesses.

Echinacea is best known today as an immune builder, treating infections of the respiratory and digestive tracts. The ingredients so effective in stimulating the immune system are believed to be the water-soluble polysaccharides. Echinacea also contains anti-inflammatory, antiviral, bacteriostatic, antiexudative, and fungistatic properties. Some preliminary research indicates that it may be used as a cancer fighter.

Echinacea is very effective at cleansing the glands and lymphatic system. Therefore, it is used in the treatment of strep throat, prostate problems, tonsillitis, ear infections, and swollen lymph glands. Mixed with chickweed, Echinacea helps with weight loss too. Echinacea is effective in attacking bacterial, viral, and fungi invaders. Therefore Echinacea is great in the treatment of vaginal yeast infections, tuberculosis, upper respiratory infections, sinusitis, sties, and athlete's foot. It actually speeds the recovery time from an infection without the accompanying side effects of some medications.

It is easy to make Echinacea tea from the root powder or dried leaves. The tincture is effectively applied both internally and externally. For example, one dropper of tincture in tea can be applied for earaches or for treating athlete's foot. Echinacea powder is said to produce its greatest results when freeze-dried. Of course, it is available as a capsule also.

Echinacea should not be taken on a regular basis but only when a need arises. However, it can be taken prior to a time when infection might occur. The roots of the plant have a very potent concentration of the same chemicals found in the tops. This means that using the whole plant is best when possible. The list of uses of Echinacea above is by no means exhaustive. It does, however, underscore the usefulness of the herb.

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