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Since ancient times, Native American communities used echinacea for its extraordinary properties capable of soothing poisonous bites and stings and healing wounds. The plant was also used as an ingredient to prepare mouthwashes against toothache and infusions to combat the flu states.
Today, numerous scientific researches have demonstrated its virtues for health. It is a valuable ally of the immune system and helps prevent some infectious diseases of the upper airways of both bacterial and viral origin.
A natural remedy for the well-being of the whole family since the data present in the literature today authorize its use also in pregnancy and in children.
What’s this
Echinacea belongs to the family of Asteraceae. From a botanical point of view, the most active species are the Purpurea and Angustifolia. Initially Charles Linnaeus, a Swedish physician and naturalist, gave it the name of Rudbeckia, in honor of O. Rudbeck, a Swedish botanist of the seventeenth century. Later, in 1794, Conrad Moench, a German botanist and naturalist, changed the name to Echinacea, of Greek etymology (Echinos means “sea urchin” due to the shape of the upper part of the plant), but it was only from the beginning of the 20th century that the plant entered the daily care practice.
Properties for health
Among its virtues, the plant is useful for promoting the well-being of the upper airways. “Has a good one immunostimulating action non-specific, confirmed by experimental tests such as the increase in the capacity of total leukocytes to incorporate and destroy viruses and bacteria ”, explains Dr. Antonello Sannia, President of SIMN (Italian Society of Natural Medicine). “The increase in the production of interleukin 10 seems particularly important, as it plays a primary role in stimulating lymphocytes”.
It has also been shown that echinacea is able to oppose the depressive action on immune system typical of many antibiotics. “Numerous clinical studies have been conducted to evaluate the efficacy of this extract, in particular as an immunostimulant useful in the prevention of some infectious diseases of the upper airways of origin both bacterial and viral“.
But its virtues don’t end there. In addition to that immunostimulant, it also has an anti-inflammatory action. Echinacea can in fact stimulate the production of glucocorticoids by the adrenal glands, hormones that have a powerful anti-inflammatory action. “In particular – says the expert – numerous studies have shown its effectiveness in helping to reduce the occurrence of colds of the upper airways typical of the cold season. For this reason it is considered equipped with preventive action“.
How it is taken in the form of a supplement
First of all it is good to remember that food supplements are foods, the purpose of which is to supplement the normal diet by contributing to the well-being of the organism. Their use e safety of use it is guaranteed through various composition / dosage and labeling obligations: the substances used, the dosages and the indications on the label are regulated and follow very precise rules.
Typically, they are sold in capsules, tablets, powders in sachets, vials and the like, and can contribute, based on their composition, to improve the state of health and to favor the regular functioning of the organism.
“They can’t in any way replace a healthy diet and balanced – points out Dr. Sannia – but their intake can be useful in particular moments of life, such as pregnancy and menopause, or in supporting the physiological functions of the organism to maintain a good state of health, accompanied by a correct lifestyle, a varied and balanced diet and an adequate level of physical activity. For the duration of employment, it is good to ask your pharmacist or doctor for advice “.
Side effects and contraindications
Echinacea can cause skin allergies in sensitive individuals and mild fever in the first days of use.
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