Boost your Immune System with Echinacea

11 August, 2009 No Comment

Echinacea, the herbal remedy also known as coneflowers, is primary associated with immunity related issues such as the common cold and flu as well as other respiratory illnesses.

Herbalist has designated Echinacea for persistent inflammatory conditions that are skin related such as eczema, herpes, boils, and abscesses. Echinacea can also be successfully used for other inflammatory issues like arthritis and muscular-skeletal discomforts.

Allergy and Echinacea

And those stricken with allergy related illnesses can be treated with Echinacea on account of their perceived connections associated with toxicity. Then the allergen takes on the form of a “trigger” focusing on the condition to correct the problem.

Alternative Lifestyle

Echinacea falls in the classification of an alternative. They have been given names of this nature on account of their detoxifying or what is called eliminative effect with the intent of not showing any differentiations of elimination. The explanation behind this is identified by the herbs not being classified as laxatives, diaphoretics, cholagogues or expectants. Even though Echinacea can increase the flow of blood to tissues, but because of its diversity it cannot be classified as either of these.

Echinacea and the Immune System

There is research that shows the main reason why Echinacea is such a strong immune supporter. It is because of its ability to reduce the affects of pathogens, an agent that causes diseases. Your body’s immune reaction also gives stamina through the stimulation of lymphocytes, an immune system cell that is said to produce anti-bodies (designed to attack infections as well as cancerous cells) and macrophages that protects against infections as well. Then there are the polysaccharides, a complex carbohydrate, which has been shown to arouse the production of interferon, a protein that is produced in order to fight against viral replications.

How to use Echinacea

In order to get the best results out of the use of Echinacea, it would be smart to use when symptoms are first identified, then you want to utilize it in 2 hour intervals. If taken orally, then be prepared for a buzzing feeling on your tongue and throat. Echinacea comes to in two varieties. One is Echinacea august folia and the other Echinacea purpurea. They both are well capable of being effective.