Boost your Immune System with Echinacea

Echinacea is commonly used for immune related problems - colds, flu's and other respiratory infections. It is used by many herbalists in chronic inflammatory conditions, particularly of the skin. So this would include eczma, abscesses, herpes, wounds and boils. Inflammatory problems affecting other connective tissue, like joints (arthritis) and the musculoskeketal system can also be treated with echinacea.

Allergies are another condition traditionally treated with this popular herb, as herbalists consider them a result of toxic overload. The allergen then acts as a 'trigger' to the underlying condition which is one of a body's elimination channels pushed to the limit.

Echinacea is classed as an alterative. These are so named because they have a detoxifying or eliminative effect but without obviously favouring one method of elimination. For example, these herbs are not cholagogues (which support the liver), or laxatives (bowels), or expectorants (respiratory), or diaphoretics (causing sweating). Echinacea does in fact increase blood flow to the tissues, which is how diaphoretics work, but because it works in other ways also, it is not classed primarily as a diaphoretic.

Research has shown that part of its immune support stems from the way it reduces the ability of pathogens to enter tissue by inhibiting hyaluronidase. Hyaluronidase is an enzyme used by pathogens to break down tissue to allow them to enter and spread through the host.

The body's immune response is also strengthened by stimulating lymphocytes and macrophages. The polysaccharides have also been shown to stimulate the body's production of interferon, but not when taken orally (the digestive process neutralises this effect). For this purpose, injections are given (but not from an oral preparation).

Echinacea is best used as soon as symptoms are noticed, and then quite regularly - every couple of hours. Good quality liquid echinacea leaves a 'buzz' effect on the tongue/throat. Large amounts don't need to be taken - just smaller doses every few hours.

There are two varieties used as remedies - echinacea augustifolia and echinacea purpurea. They are both equally effective. Nutritionally, the ecinacea plants contain vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin E, as well as the minerals iron, iodine, copper, potassium and sulpher.

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