Equinacea is a small perennial plant. Its stems are short and has a fine root system. The stems branch hard. The foliage is rugged and less numerous as it approaches the upper part of the stem. The floral basket is located at the top of the stem. The petals of the basket are of several colors. Rose, reddish and other tones, ending in purple. The active flowering period is summer. Inside the basket there are tubular flowers that bear fruit.
To develop well, equinacea needs sunlight and a fertile and drainage soil.
Its active use can have both beneficial and harmful effects for the human body. Its benefits include the strengthening of the immune system, its ability to resist viruses, infections and bacteria. Equinacea is used to treat gastrointestinal problems, flu, colds, sore throat and herpes. It can be used for inflammatory conditions (eczema, ulcers, wounds). The healing process will be faster. The organic composition of the plant contains betaine, which prevents strokes and myocardial infarctions.
Composition and mechanism of action
In its organic formula, equinacea contains antioxidants, essential for skin health, essential oils, organic acids and many vitamins. In addition, it contains trace elements such as silicon, calcium, selenium and iron. The roots, grass and rhizomes of the plant dry or fresh form are used in pharmaceutical and traditional medicine.
As for the medications sold in pharmacies, they are extracts, decoctions and tinctures of Echinacea. All of them are based mainly on extract or purple equinacea juice.
Benefits of equinaceae for the organism
Its use is prescribed in cases of:
- Weakened immunity;
- As prophylactic and sars treatment, flu, angina peel;
- Hearing problems;
- Urinary system problems;
- As a support measure during and at the end of antibiotic therapy;
- For gastric and duodenal ulcers;
- To accelerate the healing of wounds and trophic ulcers.
Mechanism of action
The use of tincture, decoction and extract of the plant stimulates cell immunity, accelerates and improves metabolic processes. It also accelerates the bone marrow hematopoja process, the number of antibodies increases. The body receives ant i-art, ant i-bacterian and antimicrobial effects.
Equinacea leaves
The leaves differ in the beginning of each species. The narrowleaf spoke, for example, has narrow and lanceolate leaves. Echinacea glitter, on the other hand, has large, fleshy and oval leaves. The Palealeleale Echinacea has the longest and louder leaves of all the species of this crop.
Inflorescences
The flower of this representative of the flora attracts attention for its color. Its form also depends on the subspecies of the plant. The chalice has a conical shape and is surrounded by thin petals. Its coloration can vary greatly. From white and all its tones to violet, lilac and purple. There may also be red, green and pink. The active flowering process itself begins in summer, from the second or third year, and lasts to autumn. The size and shape of the petals depend on the subspecies. Paleblower pale leafy petals are elongated, while purple are more oval.
Root
The root of the thunderstorm and rhizomes are used in infusions and extracts. The root system itself is branched, that is, expanded. The roots contain between 0. 05 and 0. 25% of essential oils.
Health benefits
This herb is considered almost miraculous by its set of medicinal properties. Among them are:
A) Strengthens the body’s immune defenses. Phagocytes, immune system cells are activated.
B) Due to the presence of antioxidants in their composition, the use of herbal extract has an antioxidant and ant i-inflammatory effect.
C) Wounds, sores and burns begin to heal more quickly.
D) The grass can have a small antibacterial and antiviral effect. Therefore, it is used to combat infections, abscesses, furunculosis, etc.
E) It has a membrane stabilizer effect.
F) Help in autoimmune diseases. For example, arthritis.
For the woman’s body.
Benefits and damages of equinaceous grass for women’s health
The flowers and leaves of the grass contain phytosterols. They help adjust the endocrine work of the female body, hormonal balance, to correct the menstrual cycle, to get rid of painful sensations in this period and premenstrual syndrome, help a woman with wel l-being during menopause. By the way, phytosterols in their effects are similar to natural hormones. They have no side effects, which synthetic drugs necessarily have. In addition, preparations containing equinacea are effective in the treatment of gynecological inflammations.
Important: pregnant and infant women should not use the grass. The extract has a tonic effect that can cause abortions. And during the breastfeeding period, any herbal preparation will cause allergies. In addition, the equinacea will overestimulate the baby’s nervous system. As for the damages, in principle it is enough to respect the dosage prescribed by the doctor. If you swing to the norm, there will be no damage.
For the male body
It is also very useful for men to take infusions. The active ingredients of their composition have a beneficial effect on blood vessels and heart, strengthening them. This is important because men often suffer rhythm disorders of heart muscle and circulation. There is another benefit: the use of extract helps fight prostatitis, since the remedy has an ant i-inflammatory effect.
For children and adolescents
Children under two years of age should not take equinacea due to allergic eruptions and exciting effects. And in the growth process, drops, tinctures and decoctions become very necessary and useful. Preschool and smaller schools are given as adaptogen, together with the eleuterocococcus. It helps strengthen the immune system, disease resistance, serves as prophylactic against viruses, bacteria, infections.
Warning. Before giving the child the child, you have to make sure it is not allergic. Therefore, the child drinks a teaspoon and you have to wait for the result.
Primary and secondary students are equally useful to take equinaceous grass extract. It has a positive effect on memory, concentration and increases energy and desire to learn. It also stimulates the organism’s struggle against diseases.
Can pregnant women take equinacea?
Pregnant women are strictly forbidden to take infusions and decoctions. All vitamins, organic, mineral and antioxidant acids present in the plant will negatively affect women’s health. The action of all components due to pregnancy increases, accelerates and brings bad consequences. Premature delivery or spontaneous abortion may occur. Both the mother and the baby will be affected by the stimulant. The woman will experience allergic reactions, dryness, redness and scabies. The baby himself can also be born with predisposition to the allergies.
Can equinácea be used during breastfeeding?
During breastfeeding, the mother must take care of her diet. She needs many vitamins and nothing harmful that can endanger the health of the baby. That is why you should not drink alcohol, smoking or drinking medicinal herbs. Everything affects the baby’s body. It absorbs all substances as a sponge. Equinacea grass intake can cause severe redness and skin rashes, itching, cramps, overexcitation, behavior irritation.
Contraindications, Side Effects and Security
A contraindication for the use of grass is the presence of tuberculosis, sarcoidosis, leukemia, multiple sclerosis. Waiting for a baby, if a person is allergic, during breastfeeding.
Until three years, Alcoholic Tincture of Echinacea cannot be given. At least with two years you can already take without alcohol.
This herb is not combined with all medications. Phytotherapy combines equinacea with San Juan grass, skirmishes, white thorn, millenrama and other useful herbs. This has a positive effect on the person. However, the grass cannot interact with heart medication. It will cause heart pain and tachycardia.
In addition, if the extract is taken for more than ten days, the blood pressure will rise and the headaches will increase.
When and who is it recommended to take equinacea?
Its flowers, roots and leaves are widely used. For the treatment and prevention of various ailments. Often, equinacea is part of a complex treatment.
Indications of use:
- Liver problems, diabetes, metabolic disorders;
- Tendency to depression, serious stress;
- Any inflammatory process;
- Infections;
- Male or female infertility;
- In the postoperative period and after a prolonged antibiotic treatment;
- Sexual power;
- Skin diseases.
What is the best way to take Echinacea?
The organic composition of the plant based on essential oils, flavonoids and polysaccharides makes it an excellent remedy. It stimulates the production of immunoglobulins and white blood cells. The focus of the infection is eradicated.
Equinacea is sold in capsules, tablets, tinctures and solutions. The capsule information sheet usually advises to take a capsule every time for two or three weeks. Taking the medicine has a cumulative effect.
The choice of the type of medication depends on each specific case, that is, the objective you want to achieve with the treatment. The doctor will prescribe what to take. A solution or a tablet. Effectiveness depends on the type of medication and the disease itself.
How to take echinacea for immunity
During the cold station, you have to protect yourself in the best possible way. Teenagers under 12 can take a tablet twice a day. Those over 12 must already take two tablets twice a day. The treatment lasts a month and a half, but you have to take three or four days of rest.
How to use
Equinacea can be taken in two ways. Children, after a meal. Adults, preferably before meals. The children’s body is simply more susceptible to phytotherapy.
Pharmacy Remedios Variants
In the Russian Federation there are seven types of equinacea infusion, which are registered in the State Registry. Five tinctures belong to Russian production. A German dye is made from Echinacea Narrowleaf, and a Ukrainian tincture is made from the roots of Echinacea Purpurea.
It is sold without recipe. However, there is an age restriction. Manufacturers put a restriction for children. The medicine instructions say that children under twelve should not take it. Only a Russian company, Rosbio, does not impose age restrictions.
Types of drugs in the pharmaceutical market
Equinaceous medications are in the form of syrup, solution, extract, tablets, which are reabsorbed. There is a solution called Special Liquidum Echination for young children. It is approved from four years. And the tablets called Echinacea can be taken from the age of 18. In the market there are three manufacturers that contain narrow leaf spring extract. Its appearance varies: drops, granules or pills. The instructions of the granules do not indicate any age limit for the patient. These medications are sold without recipe.
The juice of this medicinal grass is sold in pharmacies in the form of tablets and solutions. It also contains vitamin C. acts as an antioxidant. In the instructions for use, an age prohibition is indicated (take from the age of 12). This indication applies to five medications. The other two are from four years.
Use in Traditional Medicine
In the field of traditional medicine, herbal infusions, teas, ointments and alcohol and oil infusions are used. Alcoholic tincture is the most common popular treatment. Help with gastrointestinal problems, pelvic inflammation, gastritis. It can be used to treat viral diseases. Herpes, throat pain, colds, bronchitis. By the way, it is even used in the treatment of pneumonia. Of course, only as a component of the treatment process.
An infusion of oil or water is used to get rid of joint diseases. For example, rheumatoid arthritis. This remedy is very effective against viral infections. It is excellent for reinforcing the immune system.
From the root of the plant an infusion of alcohol against renal ailments and for the elimination of calculations is prepared. The medicine will relieve the vasospasmos, will serve as prophylactic and asthma treatment.
Characteristics of the application for various ailments
Mellitus diabetes
Among the healers, opinions differ. Some strictly prohibit the use of equinacea in diabetes. And others do not see it as a threat. Be that as it may, it is important to be careful. Therefore, you can take a teaspoon of alcoholic tincture three times a day.
Gastritis
Gastritis gives few joys. The gastric mucosa inflames, causing serious discomfort and pain. During the exacerbation of gastritis, the popular method is prohibited. During the remission, it is allowed to drink a half teaspoon infusion three times a day. Similarly, the medicine is drink in colitis, ulcers and other stomach problems.
Prostatitis
For ten days, it is necessary to drink a half teaspoon infusion three times a day before meals. After ten days, a break is taken.
Strong cough
To relieve a strong cough, it is necessary to rub the chest with an infusion of the herb in alcohol. This heats the lungs and makes them expectorate.
If you are cold, drink an infusion of the grass. One or two glasses are needed three times. Before breakfast, food and dinner, thirty minutes before meals. The treatment course is ten days. And to increase and strengthen immunity drink a teaspoon of the medication in alcohol or a cup of tea a day.
Hypertension
To normalize hypertension, you can use this recipe. Take one hundred grams of dried flowers, crush them and add honey. Take about three hundred grams of honey. Remove well. Add a teaspoon to the tisana. This tisana can drink only once a day.
Equinacea in cosmetology
In cosmetology, equinaceous grass (especially purple variety) is widely used for skin care.
The most popular cosmetics are
Nutritious lotion
The lotion relieves itching and redness, soothes the skin and boosts metabolism. To prepare the lotion, 30 grams of dried leaves and roots are taken and mixed with chamomile and dried succession. Take 25 grams of each of the second and third ingredients. Pour vodka or alcohol solution (250 ml). Leave in a dark place for fourteen days. Make sure there is no moisture. Strain it. You can then clean your face. It is best to do this after washing with soap and water. It is perfect for drying oily skin and tightening pores.
Facial mask
Ingredients: flower honey (1 teaspoon), tincture of echinacea in alcohol (1 teaspoon), rye flour (1 tablespoon). Mix everything, stir well, put it on the face (for 10 minutes). Rinse with room temperature water and cleanse face with a toner, lotion or cleanser.
foam baths
In order not only to relax in a hot bath, but also to saturate the body with vitamins, prepare this antibacterial remedy: pour boiling water over dried flowers and leaves. Let it rest for 60 minutes. Strain the mixture and add it to the bathtub. Bathing in such water cannot last more than fifteen minutes. Six tablespoons of ingredients are needed.
Hands
For the beauty and health of the hands you can prepare a bath. Echinacea leaves (2 tablespoons) and boiling water (1 liter). Leave for sixty minutes. Then dilute with water. Approximately two liters. Add a handful of sea salt. Apply the salt and soak your hands for about 20-25 minutes.
The hair .
For shiny, thick and beautiful hair, women are willing to do anything. That is why it is advisable to make a dye to rinse your hair after shampooing. You must buy the herbal tincture at the pharmacy and mix it with lemon juice. Rinse it after each shampoo. Leaves hair silky smooth.
Dandruff and scalp irritation
Components: the green leaves and flowers of the plant are thoroughly ground to a homogeneous consistency, a raw egg yolk is added, mixed and applied to the head. The mask is kept for thirty minutes. Rinse with lukewarm water.
If all of the above is summarized, it will become clear that the benefits of echinacea for the human body is much more than the harm. The best way to enjoy echinacea is with honey made from the flowers of the plant. Unfortunately, this honey is difficult to buy, since it is not abundant on the market. Echinacea blooms profusely in late summer. At this time, the bees are short of food, so beekeepers prepare this honey selectively.
Echinacea honey has numerous benefits
- Cleans the blood of toxins and normalizes its flow;
- corrects the work of the liver;
- It serves as a prophylactic and helps with respiratory diseases;
- Eliminates harmful substances from the body.
The use of honey stabilizes sleep, eliminates headaches and adjusts blood pressure levels. It is rich in vitamins. It is good to add it to tea.
