Ekhinatsyeya – natural remedy to fight colds?

Many people, interested in medicinal plants say, that echinacea effective means to combat colds. Is it so?

What is echinacea?

Ekhinatsyeya – многолетнее растение, which reaches 0,3-0,6 m tall and looks like a plant Rudbeckia. It is grown on a commercial scale or going out in the wild. Flower, stalk, Echinacea root is used in tablets, infusions or administered in powder form.

How do we know about the medicinal properties of echinacea?

Originally, echinacea was used by American Indians for a variety of medicinal purposes (including the treatment of infections and poisonous snakebites). In the 1880s he began using echinacea American doctors. Despite the fact that 1910 , the American Medical Association has not confirmed the medicinal properties of echinacea, it remains popular in the United States until penicillin and other antibiotics.

In the 1930s, a German doctor, Gerhard Madaus began researching the medicinal properties of echinacea. He discovered, that it contained certain complex sugar molecules, known as polysaccharides, that, he believed, can stimulate the immune system. Dr. Madaus also developed a drug in the form of juice of Echinacea, obtained from the flower plants.

Why use echinacea?

Although it is believed that echinacea can stimulate the immune system, this statement is not found clinical evidence. There is no precise evidence, that echinacea strengthens the immune system when taken in a long time.

But research still recommend the use of echinacea for treating colds and flu. Supplementation of Echinacea at the first sign of the disease can reduce the symptoms and help recover faster. However, this does not mean, that regular use of echinacea preparations to avoid disease. Action Echinacea has been studied for other infections, such as chronic bronchitis, ear infection. But for concrete results in these areas must be carried out more research.

What is the mechanism of action of Echinacea on the body?

Although it is not clear, exactly how echinacea affects the body, there is some evidence, that echinacea works as follows:

• Стимулирует фагоцитоз – процесс, in which white blood cells, lymphocytes destroy foreign organisms in the body;
• Increased speed, elimination by the immune system of foreign organisms from the body;
• There is an increase the number of cells of the immune system;
• Increases the production of interferon, main component of the immune system.

How to use echinacea?

Echinacea is taken at the first sign of a cold or flu for 1-2 weeks. На данный момент самыми эффективными считаются препараты из верхней части растения – цветов, stem, leaves of Echinacea purpurea. Echinacea purpurea root itself can not be an effective remedy. The effectiveness of other species of Echinacea including E. pale и E. angustifolia has not been established.

Possible side effects of Echinacea

It was noted the limited side effects, which include allergic reactions, such as rashes and increased asthma. Other side effects include minor gastrointestinal symptoms, increased urination, and mild allergic reaction. People with allergies to chamomile or sunflower should use echinacea with caution.

When to avoid using echinacea ?

Echinacea has not shown significant side effects in studies. Nonetheless, if in fact Echinacea stimulates the immune system, it could theoretically cause harm in the presence of certain diseases:

• Tuberculosis;
• Receiving immunosuppressant for any purpose;
• Multiple sclerosis;
• Yazvennыy colitis;
• Crohn's Disease;
• Rheumatoid arthritis;
• Lupus;
• Asthma;
• Any autoimmune disease, not mentioned above.

Finally, also supposed, that women should avoid taking echinacea while pregnant.

Regulation of the use of echinacea

Because echinacea is not officially recognized as a medicinal plant, the drugs, containing echinacea as a major component not subject to specific clinical studies. Therefore, we must be wary of accepting such drugs, follow the enclosed instructions and in the case of side effects, seek medical advice.