What is Echinacea Good For?
Learn all about the health benefits of echinacea.
Echinacea, also known as purple coneflower or coneflower, is a genus of flowering plants in the daisy family native to America. Native Americans of the Great Plains region have been using echinacea as a medicinal herb for over 400 years.
There are 9 different species of echinacea however only three are commonly used in dietary supplements, including echinacea purpurea, echinacea angustifolia and echinacea pallida.
Echinacea has anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties. Echinacea is loaded with antioxidants including flavonoids.
Echinacea may boost your immunity. Studies have shown that echinacea may help your immune system fight infections and viruses and help you recover faster. Several studies have shown that consuming echinacea may lower the risk of developing common colds by more than 50% and shorten the duration of colds by 1 ½ days.
Echinacea is most commonly known to treat the common cold or flu however it is also used to treat bronchitis, upper respiratory infections, gingivitis, canker sores, yeast infections, ear infections, vaginitis, and heal wounds.
Echinacea may also treat skin conditions. Studies have shown that echinacea purpurea extract improved eczema symptoms and helped repair the skin’s protective layer. Other studies have also shown that echinacea improved skin hydration and reduced wrinkles.
Echinacea may also lower blood sugar levels and reduce anxiety.
Echinacea may have side effects including rashes, itchy skin, hives, swelling, stomach pain, nausea and/or shortness of breath. These side effects are more common with people with allergies to flowers such as daisies, marigolds, ragweed and more.
People with autoimmune disorders should avoid echinacea as it may overstimulate the immune system.
Echinacea may interact with certain medications such as immunosuppressive drugs.
As always consult with your physician.
Sources:
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/echinacea
https://www.webmd.com/diet/health-benefits-echinacea