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Echinacea
When the settlers arrived they were
quick to follow the practice of the Native Indians by using Echinacea as a
therapeutic aid and since then it has been used as a medical herb throughout
Echinacea contains a variety of components that make it so powerful in building up your immune system and fighting disease. Some of the more concentrated elements include essential oils, polyacetylenes, betain, and polysaccharides. Other elements found in Echinacea are iron, copper, Vitamin C, Vitamin A, Vitamin E, and tannins. It’s the polysaccharides in Echinacea that make this herb so effective in stimulating your immune system.
The way that Echinacea works is by working in tune with the defense mechanisms in your body. The polysaccharides, also known as Echinacins, adhere to the cells in your body and fight against pathogens. When these cells are protected from breaking down they are better able to fight against the inflammation and the spreading of these pathogens. Your immune system improves as your healthy cells rush to the area of an infection and destroy the pathogens.
Although Echinacea works well to prevent colds and the flu, you shouldn’t be taking it on a full time basis. Echinacea should be taken on and off throughout the year so that you keep your immune system as strong as possible. Even if you don’t use Echinacea on a regular basis, taking it at the first signs of an illness can lessen the severity of your cold or the flu. You can greatly ease your cold symptoms by starting to take Echinacea, thereby preventing the cold from settling into your lungs.
Echinacea can be bought over the counter in most pharmacy and grocery stores. You have the option of taking the herb in pill form or as a tincture. For younger children, adding the tincture to a glass of juice may be your best bet. Your goal should be to keep your family on a level dose of Echinacea throughout the year. This means six weeks on and three weeks off. This cycle of Echinacea is sure to keep you and your family healthy year round and lessen the severity of colds and the flu.
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