Echinacea is a popular health supplement in the US believed to boost the immune system and reduce the symptoms of cold and flu. It comes in various forms, but it’s important to choose a reputable brand that guarantees potency. Echinacea has been used for centuries to treat infections and other ailments, and studies suggest it has antiviral, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects. However, opinions vary on whether to take it regularly or only at the first sign of a virus, and people with immune disorders should avoid it.
There are several varieties of Echinacea, the native purple coneflower of North America. Echinacea is one of the most popular health supplements in the United States today and is believed to help boost the immune system. Echinacea complex comes in many forms, including tea, pills, extracts, and tinctures. Regardless of the type chosen, it is very important to look for a well-known brand that uses standardized extracts or guarantees potency.
Individual preference generally dictates which type of echinacea complex a person chooses. Some prefer the convenience of a pill, while others want the concentrated benefits of an extract. Echinacea can be used to make a tea or even a topical ointment.
Native Americans are believed to have used echinacea to treat infections and as a general cure. The herb has been used by other cultures to treat various ailments, from malaria to scarlet fever. Today it is most commonly used to reduce the symptoms of the common cold and flu and to decrease the duration of viruses.
The healing properties are found in both the flower and the root of the echinacea plant. It is for this reason that strength and effectiveness vary between products. Reports have shown that some echinacea complex products do not contain the active ingredients they claim; some have been found to contain no echinacea at all.
When choosing an echinacea complex, be sure to buy a brand that has a good reputation for using quality ingredients in the amounts indicated. Products should always be purchased from a reputable manufacturer at reputable retail outlets. People should look for an echinacea complex that guarantees potency or contains standardized extracts.
The benefits of echinacea would seem to go beyond relieving the common cold. Some studies suggest that echinacea improves the immune system, reduces pain and relieves inflammation, as well as having antiviral and antioxidant effects. Alternative medicine practitioners often prescribe the use of echinacea for the treatment of various infections, including vaginal yeast, inner ear, and urinary tract infections. It is also used to treat athlete’s foot, sinus infections, and in wound healing.
Some people take echinacea complex on a regular basis in an attempt to stave off a cold, while others take it at the first sign of the virus to lessen its effects. Opinions among health professionals vary as to which approach is best, but many believe that consistent use may lessen the effects on the immune system. It could also cause viruses in the body to become resistant to the echinacea complex. People with immune disorders may wish to avoid the use of echinacea supplements.
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