Echinacea is a very popular herb, and people commonly take it to help combat flu and colds. It is a genus of herbaceous flowering plants in the daisy family - Asteraceae. It is also known as the American coneflower. Echinacea encourages the immune system and reduces many of the symptoms of colds, flu and some other illnesses, infections, and conditions. Echinacea is a perennial plant, meaning it lasts for many years. It is approximately 1-2 feet (30-60 centimeters) tall when mature. It is slightly spiky and has large purple to pink flowers, depending on the species. Three species of Echinacea are used as herbal remedies:
Echinacea angustifolia - narrow-leaved coneflower
Echinacea pallida - pale purple coneflower
Echinacea purpurea - purple coneflower, eastern purple coneflower
How It Works?
Echinacea has a complex mix of active substances, some of which are said to be antimicrobial, while others are believed to have an effect on the human immune system. All species of this herbal remedy have compounds called phenols. Many plants contain phenols, active substances that control the activity of a range of enzymes and cell receptors, and protect the plant from infections and ultraviolet (UV) radiation damage. Phenols have antioxidant properties, which good for human health. Echinacea also contains alkylamides or alkamides, (not in Echinacea pallida), which have an effect on the immune system, as well as polysaccharides, glycoproteins, and caffeic acid derivatives.
Benefits and Uses:
Today, Echinacea is used widely all over the world for a range of illnesses, infections, and conditions:
- acid indigestion
- chronic fatigue syndrome
- diphtheria
- dizziness
- genital herpes
- gum disease
- malaria
- migraine
- pain
- rattlesnake bite
- rheumatism
- septicemia - bloodstream infection
- streptococcus infection
- flu
- tonsillitis
- typhoid
- urinary tract infection
- vaginal yeast infection
1) Echinacea May Reduce Symptoms of the Common Cold
In a study with 282 patients, echinacea taken at the first symptom of a cold reduced the severity of the symptoms. One analysis found that echinacea extracts help prevent colds and shorten their duration. When studying the effects of rhinovirus colds in humans, which is the most common virus responsible for colds, echinacea helped prevent the symptoms of the common cold. The positive effects of echinacea extracts on cold symptoms likely derive from its anti-inflammatory activity on the airway.
2) Echinacea Improves the Immune Response
Echinacea promotes overall immune function by reducing inflammation and infectious diseases. Echinacea extract increases the number of circulating white blood cells. In a study of 6 adults treated for 3 days, echinacea extract reduced inflammation and increased production of molecules that fight infection. Echinacea inhibited inflammatory molecules after viral infection in lung cells. In a model of the human airway, treatment with echinacea reduced mucus in the lungs.
3) Echinacea Improves Skin Problems
In cells, echinacea inhibited collagen breakdown by free radicals. It also aided in wound healing. This is attributed to its antioxidant activity and ability to reduce skin irritation. Echinacea can aid in the treatment of acne by inhibiting the growth of the bacteria P. acnes and limiting inflammation. In 49 patients, treatment with echinacea for 3 months helped improve the symptoms of atopic dermatitis (redness and swelling).
4) Echinacea May Reduce Inflammation
Echinacea extracts had an anti-inflammatory effect after both topical and oral use. Echinacea extract decreased airway inflammation and expanded air passages, having an effect similar to salbutamol. Echinacea decreases inflammation through the inhibition of pro-inflammatory molecules and by binding to the cannabinoid receptor. These effects might also result from the ability of echinacea to inhibit cyclooxygenase, an enzyme that helps in the formation of inflammatory molecules (prostaglandins, thromboxane, and levuloglandins). Cyclooxygenase is the target of many non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin and ibuprofen.
5) Echinacea Fights Infection
Echinacea Has Antiviral Activity
In multiple cell studies, echinacea had antiviral activity against herpes simplex, rhinoviruses, human, avian, and influenza viruses. Echinacea is not effective against viruses once they have entered the cell. In kidney cells, echinacea extract also prevented the influenza virus from binding to cells, preventing the virus from entering. Echinacea displayed its effects mainly in viruses with membranes (such as herpes simplex, influenza, and c viruses), probably through its ability to interact with membranes and block hemagglutinin and neuraminidase receptors.
Echinacea Fights Fungus
Echinacea inhibited the growth of yeast (Candida albicans). In study, echinacea treatment protected against lethal infections with different species. This effect might be derived from the ability of echinacea to damage the fungal cell wall.
Echinacea Kills Bacteria and Parasites
Echinacea has anti-bacterial activity against many parasites and viruses.
6) Echinacea May Improve Insulin Resistance in Diabetes
Obesity can increase insulin resistance, resulting in lower amounts of glucose entering the cells and higher glucose levels in the blood. Over time this can lead to type 2 diabetes. Echinacea extracts increased the activity of insulin in fat cells, resulting in increased glucose uptake. Therefore, echinacea might be useful for the treatment of insulin resistance related to obesity or type 2 diabetes.
7) Echinacea Is an Antioxidant
Echinacea extracts have antioxidant activity by scavenging free radicals. They also inhibit cell damage caused by oxidative stress.
8) Echinacea May Reduce
Echinacea also reduced mild in 32 healthy adults taking echinacea for 7 days. This might result from the ability of echinacea to bind to the CB2 cannabinoid receptor.
9) Echinacea May Reduce Pain
Echinacea extract inhibits the receptor that influences our perception of pain and reduces inflammation. It also inhibits cyclooxygenase enzymes, which are the target of many non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) that relieve pain.
10) Echinacea May Help with Depression
In study, echinacea extract had antidepressant effects and increased the stimulating effects of L-DOPA (an amino acid that is transformed into dopamine).
What is Goldenseal Root?
Goldenseal is an herb. The dried root is used to make medicine. Goldenseal is commonly found in the deep woods from Vermont to Arkansas and received its name from the golden-yellow scars on the base of the stem. When the stem is broken, the scar resembles a gold wax letter seal.
Benefits and Uses:
Goldenseal is used for many conditions. Goldenseal is used for the common cold and other upper respiratory tract infections, as well as stuffy nose and hay fever. Some people use goldenseal for digestive s including stomach pain and swelling (gastritis), peptic ulcers, colitis, diarrhea, constipation, hemorrhoids, and intestinal gas. Goldenseal is used for urinary tract infections (UTIs), internal bleeding, bleeding after childbirth, liver s, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), jaundice, gonorrhea, fever, pneumonia, malaria, whooping cough, and an eating called anorexia. Women use goldenseal for vaginal pain and swelling and menstrual period problems. Goldenseal is applied to the skin for rashes, ulcers, wound infections, itching, eczema, acne, dandruff, ringworm, herpes blisters, and cold sores. It is used as a mouthwash for sore gums and mouth. Some people use goldenseal as an eyewash for eye inflammation and eye infections called conjunctivitis, or “pink eye.” Goldenseal is used for ringing, earache, and deafness in the ears.
How It Works?
Goldenseal contains the chemical berberine, which might have effects against bacteria and fungi. For example, it can prevent the bacteria Escherichia coli (E. coli) from binding to urinary tract walls. Berberine also has properties that can lower blood pressure and improve irregular heartbeats. In addition, early research suggests that berberine can lower blood sugar and “bad” low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol.