Echinacea
Echinacea purpurea (purple coneflower) is an herb and purple flower used historically as immune support and antimicrobial to help prevent and fight symptoms of infections including common colds and flu.
The purple coneflower is the common name for the flower Echinacea Purpurea. This flower has been used as herbal support for generations to help support healthy immune function and help the body fight off illness. The herb can help to soothe symptoms associated with flu, infections, common colds and much more as well as strengthen the body's defences to prevent infection in the future.
Echinacea Purpurea is a perennial plant that is part of the Asteraceae family. This family is also referred to as the daisy family and includes other plants such as sunflowers, calendula and chamomile. This plant is native to North America and found growing in the wild.
There are 10 different species of coneflower Echinacea plants in the Echinacea species including Echinacea Purpurea. In herbal medicine it is most often the E. Purpurea species that is used, however, it can also be combined with the Echinacea Angustifolia which has some medicinal properties as well. These herbal supports most often use a dried extract of the plant.
Other native members of the Echinacea species include Echinacea Pallida (pale purple coneflower), Echinacea Sarotina (narrow-leaved purple coneflower) and a few others. These other members of the species have not been shown to have any use as herbal support in alternative medicine to treat symptoms of infections in the same ways as the purple coneflower does.
What does the flower look like?
The Echinacea flower is a perennial plant that has a very distinctive look. The flower is purple to rose-pink with a centre of stems that could be said to resemble a sea urchin. Since it is a perennial plant, it means that the Echinacea Purpurea plant will live a minimum of 2 years. An echinacea extract is made from the flower and roots of the echinacea purpura plant in traditional herbal medicine.
Where the name comes from?
The name Echinacea is derived from Greek. The Greek term for this flower means sea urchin. This name is thought to originate based on the central appearance of the flower. Its centre appears spindly and spiny drawing parallels to the structure of the sea urchin.
Echinacea Purpurea as a medicinal plant
Medicinal Properties of Echinacea Purpurea
- immuno-modulator & immuno-stimulator
- antimicrobial - antibacterial and antiviral
- anti-inflammatory & anti-allergic
- diaphoretic
- anti-catarrhal
Echinacea contains many different constituents that all contribute to its overall medicinal actions on the body.
- Alkamides - anti-bacterial and anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory both by decreasing present inflammation and increasing anti-inflammatory activity
- polyacetylenic compounds ketolkenes and ketoalkynes - Immuno-stimulant, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal including activity against candida
- polysaccharides - immuno-stimulating
- echinacoside - antibiotic
It is the combination of each of these things that makes it so effective for supporting human beings. These compounds are found between the root and flower of the plant. Most often echinacea products and echinacea preparations use dried extracts of the plant. It can also be prepared as an echinacea tea. It has been studied extensively and has been shown to prevent and treat the common cold.
Benefits for sickness protection and immune support
Echinacea is an incredibly helpful herb with great health benefits. As a herbal remedy and dietary supplement, it not only helps the body to fight off infections and heal from illness but it also helps to support our immune function to prevent us from getting sick in the future. In this way, it both treats symptoms as well as supports the underlying reason why the body is getting an infection or common cold in the first place. The diversity of constituents in this herb actually helps to rebuild the body so that we can come back into balance and function more optimally on a daily basis. Its immune-boosting properties set it apart from other products both, pharmaceutical drugs, herbal supplements and over-the-counter that have benefits for fighting off infections including respiratory infections and the common cold.
Side Effects
Coneflower should be used with caution as it does have some side effects and precautions associated with it.
Echinacea products and echinacea extract should be used with caution in those with autoimmune diseases. In this condition, the immune system is overactive and acting our own bodies. Hypothetically taking something that enhances and stimulates the immune system could make autoimmune conditions worse. Therefore it should be used with caution to avoid echinacea-induced or echinacea-associated flare-ups.
As the Purpurea coneflower is also daisy-like and part of the Asteraceae family it should be avoided in those who have an allergy to this family as it can cause an allergic reaction.
In addition, echinacea may have an impact on liver metabolism. This means that it could increase the speed at which the liver removes things from the body such as medications. This can make certain medications less effective than they need to be and cause unwanted side effects as well as herb-drug interactions.
All side effects associated with Echinacea Purpurea are associated with other medicinal members of this family such as Echinacea Angustifolia. Caution should always be used when using any of these herbs. Consulting with a health care practitioner can help to minimize side effects by choosing the herb and product that is most beneficial for you.
Disclaimer
Pascoe Canada does not offer health or medical advice as we are not a healthcare practitioner. Please speak with your healthcare practitioner before beginning any program related to nutrition, diet, exercise, fitness, medical, and/or wellness. All content published by Pascoe Canada is developed through collaborating with licensed medical professionals and contributors. This includes text, graphics, images, and other material on the website, newsletter, and products (“Content”). This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The content does not substitute professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please always do your own research on whether this is for you along with your healthcare practitioner advice. Always consult your healthcare practitioner prior to use specific herbs because you might have underlined conditions needs professional care. The content is general in nature and are subject to change. It is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects.
What can Echinacea Help with
- stimulates the immune system
- improves resistance to infections
- repairs tissue damage
- supports the immune function to prevent and treat symptoms associated with respiratory tract infections, common colds, upper respiratory tract infections, upper respiratory infections, the flu, sore throats and much more.
What can Echinacea Help with
- stimulates the immune system
- improves resistance to infections
- repairs tissue damage
- supports the immune function to prevent and treat symptoms associated with respiratory tract infections, common colds, upper respiratory tract infections, upper respiratory infections, the flu, sore throats and much more.
What can Echinacea Help with
- stimulates the immune system
- improves resistance to infections
- repairs tissue damage
- supports the immune function to prevent and treat symptoms associated with respiratory tract infections, common colds, upper respiratory tract infections, upper respiratory infections, the flu, sore throats and much more.
What can Echinacea Help with
- stimulates the immune system
- improves resistance to infections
- repairs tissue damage
- supports the immune function to prevent and treat symptoms associated with respiratory tract infections, common colds, upper respiratory tract infections, upper respiratory infections, the flu, sore throats and much more.