Health Benefits of Echinacea

Externally, liquid forms of the herb can be used to wash skin wounds, including bites, boils, burns and rashes.


Modes of use

The main parts of the herb which are used for medicinal purposes are its flowers and roots.

Echinacea is usually taken as a decoction, tincture, powder, or in capsules.

The liquid versions - i.e. decoction and tincture, can be diluted and used to wash infected skin areas. They can also be gargled and swallowed to deal with sore throats. I use the latter method, to very good effect.

Herbal tinctures, which are stored in dark amber glass bottles and stored in cool and dark areas, have a very long shelf-life and can last for many years, while retaining their potency. They are also arguably the most concentrated in terms of health-promoting properties, and thus a great way to reap the health benefits of echinacea. They, however, contain alcohol. Personally, I use this form of echinacea.

The earlier the herb is used i.e. as a preventative or at the onset of symptoms for colds, viruses, infections, etc, the more effective it will be.

If the alcohol in tinctures is a concern, the tinctured herbal extracts can be placed in a cup, after which hot water is added. This would cause most of the alcohol in the tinctures to evaporate. The resulting mixture can then be drunk as a tea, and sweetened with honey or maple syrup if necessary.


Echinacea side effects

No significant toxic side effects have been observed from studies. There are apparently also no known overdoses.

In addition, no known negative echinacea side effects for its use by pregnant and nursing women have been noted. Therefore, the use of echinacea during pregnancy should be safe.

However, allergic reactions may sometimes be triggered by the use of the herb. Thus, echinacea should be used with caution by those who have autoimmune diseases as well as those who are allergic to flowers of the marigold and daisy families.

There is an 'echinacea warning' issued by some who advocate that the herb should not be used indefinitely, and should only be taken for certain periods of time at a go, e.g. for a few weeks. The fear is the extended use of the herb would "burn out" the immune system. According to Dr Schulze, however, he had patients who consumed the herb daily for 2 to 3 years but never suffered the supposed impairing of the immune system.

As is true with all strong medicinal herbs, it would be advisable to stop consumption of the herb echinacea for a week or two, after a period of taking it, before resumption.


Echinacea for children

Echinacea can be effectively taken by children to prevent and combat colds, viruses, infections, etc, albeit at lower doses.

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