| We owe the Native Americans a big debt of
gratitude for introducing the settlers to the wonders of
this purple cone-flower plant. Indians of the Great
Plains were first used this herb as a remedy for snakebites
and other skin wounds. They also applied the root of this
plant directly to the mouth for toothaches and sore
throats. Word of echinacea's healing properties traveled
back to Europe where it is one of the most sought after herbs and one of the better researched.
There is renewed interest in echinacea today in the
United States because of this herb's positive effect on the immune system. Many studies have shown that echinacea
prevents the formation of an enzyme called hyaluronidase,
which destroys a natural barrier between healthy tissue
and unwanted pathogenic organisms. Thus, echinacea helps
the body maintain its line of defense against unwanted
invaders, especially viruses. In 1972, a study appeared
in the Journal of the Medical Chemistry showing
that an echinacea extract inhibited tumor growth in rats.
Echinacea function in patients receiving chemotherapy.
In 1978, a study in Planta Medica showed that a
root extract destroyed both herpes and influenza
viruses.
Several European studies show that echinacea appears to
lessen the severity of colds and flu,
and helps speed recovery. Echinacea has also been used
successfully to treat candida, an annoying and persistent
fungal infection. In fact, patients treated with an anti-fungal cream and echinacea extract were less likely
to suffer a recurrence than those treated only with the
antifungal cream. Other studies show that echinacea has
been used successfully to treat psoriasis
, diarrhea, and eczemza.
Many of the active compounds in echinacea can be
destroyed during processing. Freeze drying is the most effective way to preserve this herb's healing properties.
Other benefits of the herb echinacea:
- is an excellent blood purifier
- works like penicillin in the body without the side effects
- has natural antibiotic properties
- helps the white bloods cells of the body
Part Used: Root
Common Use: Antiseptic for lymphatic system tonsillitis,
blood poisoning. Vasodilator, antimicrobial, antibacterial; Immune stimulant and support.
Echinacea is also known as:
Purple coneflower,
Coneflower, echinacea purpurea
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