Echinacea

Echinacea: Benefits, Uses, Side Effects
Echinacea, is more commonly named the Purple Coneflower. It is a very popular herb worldwide.
Echinacea has been used for centuries to treat various ailments.

• pain
• inflammation
• migraines
• improve immunity
• lower blood sugar levels
• common cold
• flu
• reduce anxiety
• skin conditions ( helps as an anti-inflammatory)
• bacterial infections
• viral infections
• upper respiratory infections
• strep throat
• tonsillitis
• laryngitis
• gingivitis
• gum disease

Echinacea is best started at the beginning of an illness or infection, taking a break from it after 5-10 days. It is known as a strong immune booster but it should not be taken daily as daily use may reduce the power of the herb to work when it is needed most. Echinacea is generally safe for all ages. It works to boost antibody formation, stimulate white blood cells and strengthen lymph nodes. All important to fighting off an illness. (see side effects below)

Echinacea is an endangered plant, so you should grow your own or buy it from someone that did grow their own.

Parts of the Plant To Use

• leaves
• flowers
• roots

There are three common types of Echinacea that are used medicinally

• E. Augustifolia (strongest properties of the three. )
• E. Pallida
• E. Purpurea

Echinacea is a Perennial Plant so you shouldn't harvest till in the second year of growth. The first year is for getting well established and strong.

Leaves/Flowers
For the Tea - Cut the stem just above the last set of leaves. This can be done any time after the flower is open – I do mine at the end of the season so I can enjoy their beauty as I await the wonderful beneficial Tea to come. Strip the leaves and flowers from the stem and set them out someplace to dry. After they are dry you can store them in an airtight container in a dark, dry area.

Roots:
Tincture/Decoctions. The roots hold the most potent part of the medicinal properties. Harvest the root in the 2nd or 3rd year of the plant's growth. You can dig up the whole root ball of the plant or just take pieces. Removing the entire root ball – in essence - Removing the whole plant, can allow you to thin out your Echinacea patch. If you choose to just harvest parts of the root ball, you can place the remaining roots back in the ground to continue to grow.

• Shake the dirt off the roots
• Rinse in Cold Water
• Pat to Dry
• Cut into pieces (scissors work great)
• Lay the roots on a screen in a well ventilated non sunny area
• Let the set for at least 2 weeks
• Place in Airtight Container out of direct sunlight.

Decoction (Tea made with roots)

• tablespoon of dried roots in a pint of water
• simmer the roots for 10 minutes

When used as a sore throat spray it has a tingling effect on contact. This tingling effect works wonders on a sore throat.

Tincture
Once You Have Dug the Root - Wash it Extremely Well

• Cut it into chunks
• Get a Mason Jar and fill it about 2/3 full with the Root
• Cover the Root with Vodka - leave about an inch of room from the top of the jar
• Close with a lid and put in a cool dark place - shake the jar about once a week
• Let the mixture set for at least a month - better yet 4 months. 
• Once the Tincture is ready strain it with a fine mesh strainer and place in an amber dropper bottle.

If you are short of time or just want to buy Echinacea Natural Supplements already made you can purchase it from this trusted source -  Botanic Choice - Over 100 Years of Satisfied Customer Service.

Loaded with Antioxidants & Alkamides

• Flavonoids
• Cichoric acid
• Rosmarinic acid

Alkamides further enhance the antioxidants by renewing worn out antioxidants and helping them reach the molecules that are prone to oxidative stress

Potential Side EffectsEchinacea products appear to be safe and well-tolerated for short-term use.
People that have common allergies to flowers such as daisies, chrysanthemums, marigolds, ragweed may be more prone to experience some side effects such as

• Rashes
• Itchy skin
• Hives
• Swelling
• Stomach pain
• Nausea
• Shortness of breath

However, these side effects are more common among people with allergies to other flowers, such as daisies, chrysanthemums, marigolds, ragweed and more.
Consult your doctor first if you have autoimmune disorders or if you are taking immuno suppressive medicines as Echinacea appears to stimulate the immune system.

My Email: Connie@VarrsCreativeEndeavors.com
The author of this email is not a doctor and you should always consult a physician before using any advice found online. The information in this email has been sourced from many different websites, newsletters and books. The content is not intended as professional or medical advice. The author cannot be held responsible for misuse of the information found within.