What is Echinacea?
Echinacea is a group of flowering plants that belong to the Daisy family. These plants are native to the prairies and open grasslands of North America.
This group includes nine species, but only three are commonly used in herbal supplements:
- Echinacea purpurea
- Echinacea angustifolia
- Echinacea pallida
Echinacea is also known as coneflowers and is characterized by its distinctive shape, featuring a cone-shaped seed head surrounded by pink or purple petals, depending on the species.
Typically, all parts of the plant, both above and below ground (including the roots), are used to benefit from its various health properties. These benefits include reducing inflammation, enhancing immune system function, and lowering blood sugar levels.
What Are the Benefits of Echinacea?
Echinacea has several benefits, the most notable being:
- Immune system boosting: Echinacea may help strengthen the immune system, which can be beneficial in cases of colds or flu. Some evidence suggests that taking Echinacea may reduce the duration and severity of colds, although its clinical effectiveness might be limited. It is best avoided by people with immune disorders or those taking immunosuppressive drugs.
- Anxiety relief: Although evidence is limited, Echinacea may help reduce anxiety due to compounds like alkamides, rosmarinic acid, and caffeic acid. Some studies found that taking 40 mg of Echinacea extract twice daily for a week could reduce feelings of anxiety.
- Reducing eczema symptoms: Using a cream made from Echinacea extract may alleviate eczema symptoms such as redness, itching, swelling, and dryness when applied for 12 weeks. Its effectiveness alongside steroid eczema creams has not been proven.
- Other potential benefits: Although evidence is scarce, Echinacea might improve health conditions like:
- Coughs and colds
- Bronchitis
- Upper respiratory infections
- Gum inflammation
- Influenza
- Yeast infections
- Ear infections
- Vaginitis
- Wound healing
Forms of Echinacea Extracts
Echinacea is available in several forms, including:
- Fresh, dried, or as tea
- Capsules as dietary supplements
- Juice
- Extract in capsules
- Ointment or cream for topical application
Side Effects of Echinacea
Echinacea is considered relatively safe for short-term use, but its long-term effects are still unknown. Possible side effects may include:
- Skin rash and itching
- Chills
- Stomach pain
- Nausea
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
These symptoms are more common in individuals allergic to other types of flowers
