What is echinacea angustifolia used for?
Today, people use echinacea to shorten the duration of the common cold and flu, and reduce symptoms, such as sore throat (pharyngitis), cough, and fever. Many herbalists also recommend echinacea to help boost the immune system and help the body fight infections. Zinc lozenges or syrup, taken within 24 hours of symptom onset, are a more effective alternative to Echinacea for immune system support, as they have been shown to significantly reduce the duration of the common cold by about a day 1, 2.While it may help prevent the common cold, other benefits such as improving skin health, reducing anxiety, and reducing inflammation require more research. Echinacea is generally safe to take, but products can be mislabeled and echinacea can cause allergic reactions in some people.Echinacea might decrease how quickly the body breaks down caffeine. Taking echinacea along with caffeine might increase levels of caffeine and increase the risk of side effects from caffeine, such as jitteriness, headache, and fast heartbeat.Using echinacea for longer than 8 weeks at a time might damage your liver or suppress your immune system. Herbalists recommend not to take echinacea if you are taking medicines known to affect your liver. Check with your doctor first if you are having any other drugs, herbs, or supplements.
Which is better, Echinacea purpurea vs angustifolia?
Echinacea angustifolia might be your best choice for deep-seated, chronic conditions, while Echinacea purpurea works well for general immune support and acute situations. Echinacea may play a role in fighting off various infections, including upper respiratory tract infections. Some data shows that echinacea can treat urinary tract infections, ear infections, and wounds or cuts that are slow to heal.Don’t over boost your immune system with Echinacea! As cold and flu season is among us, many of us stock up on our favorite immune boosting herb, Echinacea. However, many people don’t realize that boosting the immune system too much may cause trouble, especially for anyone with an already diagnosed autoimmune disease.A 2022 article notes that echinacea has an antibacterial effect on respiratory bacteria. Studies also suggest that echinacea may possess antiviral properties and could help treat respiratory tract infections in both children and adults.Echinacea should be avoided in patients with autoimmune disorders, multiple sclerosis, advanced HIV infection, tuberculosis, and organ transplants because it may stimulate T cells. Allergic reactions are possible in patients with allergies to ragweed, chrysanthemum, marigold, daisies, or related allergens.In addition, studies have linked echinacea and their compounds to many health benefits, such as reduced inflammation, improved immunity, and lower blood sugar levels. Echinacea is a group of flowering plants used as a popular herbal remedy.
Is it safe to take Echinacea angustifolia?
Various echinacea products have been used safely for up to 10 days. Some products, such as Echinaforce (A. Vogel Bioforce AG), have been used safely for up to 6 months. The most common side effects are stomach pain, constipation, diarrhea, heartburn, vomiting, and rash. Although there are no reports of any significant drug interactions with echinacea, it has been suggested that use of echinacea for more than eight weeks could cause hepatotoxicity; therefore, echinacea should not be used with other known hepatotoxic drugs such as amiodarone, methotrexate, and ketoconazole.Echinacea may help support your immune system and fight infections, flu, and colds. But more evidence is needed to confirm these benefits. Is it OK to take echinacea every day? It’s probably safe for you to take echinacea every day, but only for a short time.They showed that Echinacea Purpurea can decrease the concentrations of different liver enzymes and histopathologic changes such as inflammatory cell infiltration, necrosis, damage in hepatic cords and loss of intercellular border in liver (22) which are in agreement with the results of the current research.Using echinacea for longer than 8 weeks at a time might damage your liver or suppress your immune system. Herbalists recommend not to take echinacea if you are taking medicines known to affect your liver. Check with your doctor first if you are having any other drugs, herbs, or supplements.Echinacea has been shown to reduce the duration of colds and prevent them from recurring. As such, this herb can be safely used in pregnancy before the onset of a cold or during a bout of illness.
What are the benefits of taking echinacea?
Featured. Echinacea may strengthen your immune system, helping you fight colds and flus caused by viruses or bacteria. Some research shows that the echinacea plant contains chemicals that help your body create white blood cells. Today, it’s best known as an over-the-counter herbal remedy for the common cold or flu. However, it’s also used to treat pain, inflammation, migraines, and other health issues. This article reviews the benefits, uses, side effects, and dosage of echinacea.Because echinacea can enhance immune function, people should not use the herb with immunosuppressive medications, especially when taken for organ transplant.Echinacea is often used for treatment and prevention of urinary tract infection (UTI), based on an assumption of its immunostimu-lating properties.Echinacea is widely used as an herbal remedy today, primarily as an immuno-stimulant. Echinacea angustifolia root was found to possess mild antibiotic activity against Streptococcus and Staphyloccus aureus (Stoll et al.Echinacea Angustifolia: It is a natural immune stimulant that may enhance the activity of macrophages and other immune cells. It helps in managing blood poisoning, lymphatic inflammations and infections due to a weakened immune system.
Is echinacea good for anxiety?
Main Findings. Echinacea EP107™ reduced anxiety more effectively than the placebo according to HADS-A scores. The anxiolytic effects were observed more rapidly and were stronger than those of the placebo. Conclusions: These findings suggest that Echinacea EP107TM reduces psychic anxiety without affecting somatic symptoms. This indicates that the extract may be useful in mild or early-phase anxiety when somatic symptoms are not prominent.Main Findings. Echinacea EP107™ reduced anxiety more effectively than the placebo according to HADS-A scores. The anxiolytic effects were observed more rapidly and were stronger than those of the placebo.
Can echinacea raise blood pressure?
In a large population-based study, use of echinacea was associated with a slight increase in diastolic blood pressure (45). There is insufficient evidence regarding the efficacy and safety of echinacea during pregnancy (46). The most common side effects are stomach pain, constipation, diarrhea, heartburn, vomiting, and rash. Allergic reactions might occur in some people, especially in people who are allergic to ragweed, mums, marigolds, or daisies. When applied to the skin: Echinacea is possibly safe when used short-term.But echinacea alone won’t make you sleepy. Many herbal teas contain multiple ingredients, some of which could create a sedative-like effect. For example, if your tea also contains valerian root or chamomile, you’re probably feeling the effects of those herbs — not the echinacea.Echinacea might decrease how quickly the body breaks down caffeine. Taking echinacea along with caffeine might increase levels of caffeine and increase the risk of side effects from caffeine, such as jitteriness, headache, and fast heartbeat.If you are regularly taking other medicines, check with your doctor before taking echinacea. You should also tell your doctor if you drink beverages with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way echinacea works.Gastrointestinal side effects are relatively common with Echinacea, particularly if taken on an empty stomach or in higher doses[9]. These side effects can include: Nausea. Stomach cramps.