ECHINACEA
Native to the north American continent, the Echinacea herb is a perennial plant found growing out from the prairie states northwards up to Pennsylvania, populations of the herb, however, also grow in the cooler northern regions of some of the southern states in the US. The plant has a stout and bristly stem that bears a lot of hairy leaves, where are tapered at both ends and give it a distinctive shape. Echinacea is characterized by its distinctive and rich purple flowers. The plant normally is in full bloom from June through October in most places. There are three distinct species of this well known herb, E. purpurea, E. augustifolia and E. pallida. A pleasant, but faint, sweet smell characterizes the Echinacea herb. The herb leaves behind a tingling sensation in the mouth which is almost similar to the taste of the aconite herb, but the flavor of Echinacea is without the lasting sensation of numbness and it also does not contain any dangerous poison. Freshness and the oldness of the herb can be measured by tasting the Echinacea powder - this is one normal way of determining the freshness of specimens for herbal use. Extensive literature exist covering all the properties of the Echinacea herb. These writings have become so vast and extensive that the real property of the herb is now difficult to separate from the false claims. Some of the real uses of this remarkable herb include its use in the prevention and treatment of the common cold. Echinacea has also been recommended by the German Commission E for use in the supportive or auxiliary role, during the treatment of recurrent infections arising in the urinary and respiratory systems. Topical treatments have also been derived from the herb, and external applications of the herb can be effective and very useful in the complete treatment of hard to heal wounds superficially affecting the skin. The great benefit of Echinacea lies in the fact that there are very few side effects that have been seen or reported from its use, however, remedies made from the herb have been known to trigger certain allergic reactions and some forms of allergies induced by the herb cannot be discounted. This is especially so with any of the plants in this particular plant family. Many years ago, the remedies made from Echinacea were usually and extensively adulterated with the herb known as the Parthenium integrifolium L., common name - the “prairie dock” or “Missouri snakeroot". This was so extensive that many of the earliest scientific studies done on the herb, had to be invalidated as the Echinacea was often confused with the other plant. For this reason, and because adulteration can never be ruled out even today, all potential users of herbal remedies made from Echinacea are strongly advised to obtain the very best quality products available on the market. All Echinacea users must take time for careful investigation of the product and consider the reputation of the manufacturer before proceeding with the purchase of Echinacea based remedy - this is a good procedure to follow in the purchase of any plant extract. Echinacea was traditionally used by the North American Comanche tribe used as an herbal remedy for toothaches and sore throats. While the Sioux, another major North American tribe, used it for the treatment of rabies, any snakebite, and for all septic conditions arising from injury. The ability of the herb to enhance and boost the performance of the immune system is well known traditionally and has been extensively documented down the years. In addition, the herbal remedies made from Echinacea possess an antibiotic action and also act like interferons in their anti-viral action within the body. The herbal remedy is also known to have an amazing fungicidal effect and it is extensively used as an anti-allergenic herbal remedy. Some studies have also recorded Echinacea as possessing some anti-tumor activity. Most native American tribes used herbal preparations of the Echinacea herb for many topical herbal treatments including the healing of all physical wounds and for the treatment of snake bites, the herbal remedy was also used in the treatment of infected conditions, it was used in the treatment of sore throats and to treat burns on the skin. Nowadays, the herbal remedies derived from the Echinacea herb also function as a blood cleansing remedy for the holistic treatment of various skin problems including boils and all types of topical and internal abscesses, the herbal remedy is also used in the treatment of all kinds of allergies, and related skin conditions like the eczema and urticaria, it is increasingly used in the treatment of different types of infections such as tonsillitis, the common colds, the flu, and various other chest infections. The herbal remedy is also used in the treatment of asthma, and other viral diseases like the glandular fever, it is also used in the treatment of candidiasis and to suppress post-viral fatigue syndrome in patients. Research is still being conducted on the possible beneficial effects of Echinacea treatment on symptoms of HIV and AIDS in patients. Respiratory problems and chilblains are also treated using the herbal remedies prepared from the Echinacea herb, and the herb is known to be very effective against throat infections, when it is used as an oral gargling solution. The circulation of blood in the body is benefited by the stimulating effect of the Echinacea herb, this is especially true when the herb is taken in the form of a hot infusion, the hot herbal infusion also helps by stimulating the process of sweating and this rapidly brings the fevers down, while at the same time enhancing the natural defenses of the body and enabling the immune system to shake off the infection, which has induced the condition of fever initially. Echinacea also possesses a strong anti-inflammatory effect on the body, this ability is particularly important in the treatment of long term arthritis and in the treatment of gout. This property of the herb is also good for all types of inflammatory conditions affecting the reproductive system in women; these can include disorders such as the common pelvic inflammatory disease and related conditions. The immediate use of Echinacea must be contemplated when the first signs and symptoms of disease become apparent, in order to take full advantage of its strong immune-enhancing properties. If the herbal remedy is given during the early stages of the infection, this ability will help in the rapid clearing of the infection, this quick use of the herbal remedy during the early stages of infection is especially important for individuals with weak and run down immune functioning or malfunctioning immune systems - the deficient functioning system will be buffered by the herbal remedy and greater protection will be afforded to people who are prone to get one infection after another in succession. Echinacea has been attributed various beneficial and positive activities and actions in the body. The most important and probably the best substantiated is its effect as an immune system stimulant. Three different and distinct bio-chemical mechanisms are said to be bring about by this particular property of the herb inside the body, one is the stimulation by the herb of phagocytosis, the second is the herbs ability to increase the rate of respiratory activity, and the third is the ability of the herb to cause an increased mobility of the leukocytes within the body. At the same time, the exact causes and the actual reason or the principles behind the remedial action remains a mystery for further research to uncover over time. Some generalizations can be arrived at the high-molecular-weight polysaccharides are effective without a doubt in some way throughout the process, the stimulation of phagocytosis however, is apparently enhanced by other components connected to the alkamide fraction-mainly isobutylamides, it is also pushed ahead by the glycoproteins in the herb, and by the action of the cichoric acid in the remedy.
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