Echinacea's history goes back to North American Plains Indians who used it medicinally more than any other plant and used it for a variety of ailments. In the 1800’s it became popular in the United States and was a widely prescribed natural remedy for infections and inflammation. Now it is regaining its importance and there are more than 200 pharmaceutical preparations made from Echinacea plants available.

Echinacea grows in the central United States from Texas to southern Canada. There are several types of ephinacea, each having a slightly different appearance, however only 3 of them have been used in American folk medicine: Echinacea purpurea, echinacea angustifolia and echinacea pallida. Echinacea plants have large, attractive flowers and can withstand high temperatures and humidities. They produce single, long-stalked, terminal flower heads up to 15 cm in diameter.

There are two active ingredients in echinacea, that are responsible for echinacea’s therapeutic properties: echinacosides, found in the roots and flowers, and polysaccharide heteroxylan, found in the leaves. Echinacin exhibits interferon-like activity and protects cells against virus-related diseases, such as herpes, influenza, canker sores, etc.

Health Benefits of Echinacea

Echinacea stimulates the overall activity of the immune system, increasing the chance of fighting off almost any disease. Clinical studies show that echinacea extracts improve white blood cell count and create other immune responses. It is also an effective herbal antibiotic. and before sulfa antibiotics were introduced in 1940, echinacea was the number 1 human cold and flue remedy in the United States.

A study done with over 200 children found that the group who took echinacea, along with two other herbs, had fewer colds and, when they did get sick, had fewer days of fever. Similar results were observed in studies with upper respiratory tract infections and viral infections. Echinacea is prescribed in Germany for colds and flu and appears also to have value in the defense of tumor cells.

Echinacea is considered a safe herb. Incidents of adverse reactions are rare and there is no known toxicity. Word-of-mouth among echinacea users and extensive press coverage have helped make echinacea one of the most used herbal nutritional supplements.

Immune Formula with Echinacea