April 17, 2022
If you grew Echinacea in your garden or could find it somewhere in wilderness, you probably had a desire to put it in a vase before you even thought about its health benefits. But this bright purple flower, native to North America, isn’t just a beautiful flower. It’s been used for thousands of years as a remedy for colds, coughs, bronchitis, upper respiratory infections, and even some inflammatory conditions.
Echinacea is very popular among herbalists, acupuncturists, and doctors since it is used to support their patients’ immune systems. If you are interested to know why, here is a brief information about history, science, and benefits of this powerful plant.
History
Echinacea was the most widely used medicinal plant of the Plains Indians. There are nine different species of Echinacea were used, either orally or topically for a variety of ailments, including toothache, coughs, colds, sore throats, snakebite, and as a painkiller. Lewis and Clark learned about it during their Expedition and in 1805 shipped the roots and seeds back to President Jefferson as one of their most important discovery.
The Benefits
Echinacea stimulates the immune system to fend off infections and speed recovery. In preclinical studies, Echinacea has demonstrated anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity . Studies have shown that taking Echinacea can reduce your risk of catching a cold and, when taken at the onset of a cold, could also cut down the duration of symptoms. Echinacea is packed with polysaccharides and vitamin C that help promote overall health and well-being. Echinacea tea is an herbal tea and naturally caffeine-free so it can be enjoyed all day long. Echinacea tea has a lovely earthy flavor that tastes soothing and delicious. Unlike some herbal teas that are challenging to drink because of strong flavors, this one is very pleasant. We would recommend brewing the Echinacea tea for 5 minutes and drinking one cup in the morning and one mid-afternoon.
The Science
Here’s how it actually works -- Early on, researchers determined that Echinacea has a profound effect on the number and kind of blood cells in the bloodstream. Echinacea stimulates macrophages and other cells of the innate immune system, which ultimately have a supportive effect. A macrophage is a type of white blood cell in your immune system that helps attack anything that’s not contributing to a healthy body. Echinacea works by promoting the production of white blood cells when the percentage is too low and helps them get to where they can fight the infection more effectively.
Side Effects of Echinacea Tea
Your health is very important for us, therefore we always recommend you to consult with a qualified healthcare practitioner before using herbal products, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, or on any medications.