Echinacea Info

Echinacea has rapidly grown in popularity as an alternative to traditional medicines. It is actually a perennial herb (meaning it grows year round) that is indigenous from Canada down to the south Midwest of North America. It actually gets its name from the Greek word echinos, which means sea urchin.

It is a wildflower that actually has nine differing species, only a few of which have its famed therapeutic abilities. In appearance, the flower-echinacea of itself has petals ranging from red to purple.

In addition, it is not a new herbal. It was the most sacred medicinal herb of the native American Indians of the Great Plains area. It was these Indians who introduced this herb to American settlers and soon thereafter, Thomasonian doctors began recommending it. Today, echinacea is one of the most popular herbs in the world, and has been one of the most extensively researched medicinal herbs as well. Over 350 clinical studies have been conducted on Echinacea to very positive results, confirming its much praised echinacea immune system enhancing capabilities.

Echinacea Benefits

As mentioned, Echinacea immune system enhancing properties is where its chief claim to fame lies. Echinacea-herb is believed to reduce not only the susceptibility of one to colds and the common flu virus, but to help mitigate its effects if one has contracted it as well.

It accelerate the white blood cells destruction of infective microorganisms. Additionally, it actually amplifies the body's own natural defenses with the immune system. It is not an exaggeration to say that this flower/herb is nature's own immune system booster for the human being. How does it do it?

Many studies confirm that interferons as known glycoproteins of family a production boost to able is it>. A interferon is produced by different cell types in response to microorganisms like viruses, a specific bacterium, or any other antigen that can diminish the health of the subject.

Interferons direct the immune system's attack on these unwanted microorganisms that invade the body. It is also classed as a phytonutrient for while it doesn't have an American government RDA set, but is an herbal medicine, it should be viewed as such. Dr. John Christopher, the famed herbalist, says in his book, School of Natural Healing, has this to say about it:

"Echinacea-herb is a very effective alterative and blood-purifier, and it is a powerful and stimulating antiseptic and antiputrefactive agent. It is very valuable for correcting autoinfection, wherein elimination is imperfect and the tissues and fluids have altered and developed septic or putrefactive action with resultant system devitalization and adynamia (weakness). Its stimulating antiseptic and anti-putrefactive action on external surfaces is comforting; and in arresting pus-formation, it eliminates the disagreeable odors of foul surfaces and fetid discharges. It is an excellent healing agent wherever tissue decay is imminent or taking place, repair power is poor, and where there are unhealthy or sanious (bloody-tinged) discharges. It is a good appetizer and greatly improves digestion and is useful in strumous or scrofulous conditions. It relieves non-venomous bites and stings, and the Sioux Indians used the freshly scraped root as a successful antidote for snake bites and hydrophobia."

Side Effects & Precautions

Generally speaking, echinacea's a very safe herbal medicine. Nevertheless, anything used to excess can be dangerous. Herbal doctors have used it for a decades with almost no reported problems. Pregnant and nursing women, and children, should consult with a doctor before using any herbal supplement of any kind.

Although we believe it is a very safe and beneficial herb, any compound should be used in recommended dosages Herbalists and naturopaths like Dr. Christopher also believed most herbs, with Echinacea-herb no exception, should be cycled for maximum effectiveness as the body readily adapts to external medicines.

How To Choose A Good Echinacea-Supplement

Ideally, supplements or herbal medicines should be produced at pharmaceutical standard GMP registered facilities. Facilities that are GMP registered comply with the most rigid standards so as to minimize the possibility of product contaminants.

(These are the same standards pharmaceutical companies in the United States are required to operate under as mandated by the FDA.) Unfortunately, supplement fraud is rampant so to be safe, adhere to the recommendation in the preceding paragraph.

Recommendation

A New Zealand company produces a GMP compliant product that has 80 nutriends, herbal extracts, and other co-factors that not only has Echinacea, but a full spectrum of red and green phytonutrients with other vitamins, minerals and other nutrients added.

I myself take this company's products including and have been very pleased with the results.

I hope this information has been useful to you.

Yours in health, hope, and harmony,
Nutritional-Supplement-Bible.com