Echinacea - Herbal Remedy for Colds and Flu

Echinacea - Herbal Remedy for Colds and Flu – imported especially from the USA (for strength and value). Shield yourself from the onslaught of colds and flu!

Echinacea - Herbal Remedy for Colds and Flu is now one of the most selling herbal remedies in Europe and the USA. It is one of the most researched herbs available, with many reports demonstrating its popularity as a safe and effective immune-system booster. It is especially needed during the cold and flu season.

Echinacea - Herbal Remedy for Colds and Flu was widely used by the Plains Indians of North America. American settlers also adopted its use and natural health advocates since have valued the herb. Herbalists have used Echinacea - Herbal Remedy for Colds and Flu for years to support the immune system, especially during season changes and during the cold and flu season.

Herbalists consider Echinacea - Herbal Remedy for Colds and Flu to be one of the most useful herbs because it does more than nourish the immune system. It is also known as the "King of the Blood Purifiers." Echinacea - Herbal Remedy for Colds and Flu has no dangerous side effects, but for maximum effectiveness take it only when immune system support is needed, such as during the cold and flu season, or when the immune system is in a weakened condition.

Echinacea has been one of the most scientifically studied herbs. It has been found to contain natural chemicals, echinacosides, that are beneficial to the immune system by increasing white blood cell activity against tumor cells, candida albicans, and pathological micro-organisms. Echinacosides are also very powerful free radical scavengers.

There are three species of Echinacea that are valued by herbalists today -
Echinacea purpurea, Echinacea augustifolia and Echinacea pallida. Echinacea purpurea is the botanical name for purple coneflowers, a herb native to the central and southwestern U.S. and widely-planted today as an ornamental flower. It grows in open fields and rocky soils and bears purple flowers that resemble black-eyed susans. Extracts of Echinacea purpurea were found to enhance the cellular immune function of normal individuals and patients with depressed cellular immunity – users suffering from AIDS and chronic fatigue syndrome may thus find some benefit.

All three species of Echinacea were used by the Plains Indians and have been scientifically studied for their effects on the immune system. Many herbalists believe that the most beneficial Echinacea supplements contain a combination of at least two, and perhaps all three species.

We owe Native Americans a debt of gratitude for introducing the settlers to the wonders of this purple cone-flower plant. Indians of the Great Plains 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 antifungal cream and Echinacea extract were less likely to suffer a recurrence than those treated soley with the antifungal cream. Other studies show that echinacea has been used successfully to treat psoriasis 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

Echinacea has become a best-selling herb because of its well-documented ability to boost immunity and its strong anecdotal reputation to short-circuit colds and the flu.

Echinacea may also help fight bacterial and viral infections in the ears, vagina, urinary tract, and other sites, lower fever, and calm allergic reactions.

Recommendations:
As a dietary supplement, is best taken for 2-3 week periods, particularly during the winter months. Adults take one capsule, four (4) to eight (8) times daily with water, or as directed by a health care professional.