Echinacea root

Echinacea is a group of flowering plants that are used as a popular herbal medicine. Echinacea has been shown to improve immunity (infections), blood sugar, anxiety, inflammation, and skin health. It may even have anti-cancer properties. However, human research on these benefits is often limited.

Basic Properties: immune stimulant, anti-inflammatory, antibiotic, antiviral, detoxifying, diaphoretic, healing, anti-allergenic.

What experience and research tell us about the health benefits of consuming Echinacea.

Offers antioxidant protection
Echinacea is loaded with antioxidants, such as flavonoids, chicory acid, and rosmarinic acid, which may help defend your body against oxidative stress.

Positive effect on the immune system
Echinacea is best known for its beneficial effects on the immune system. Numerous past studies have found that this plant can help your immune system fight infections and viruses, which could help you recover faster from illness. Use echinacea for respiratory infections (common cold, flu, etc.), urinary tract infections and yeast infections, allergic rhinitis, acne and pimples, cold sores, cold sores, mild asthma, earache, canker sores, thrush, and gingivitis.

It may lower blood sugar levels
High blood sugar levels can increase the risk of serious health problems, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and various other chronic conditions. Test-tube studies have found that echinacea plants may help lower blood sugar levels.

It can reduce feelings of anxiety
Anxiety is a common problem that is estimated to affect nearly 7% of adults in the United States. In recent years, echinacea plants have emerged as a potential aid for anxiety. Some earlier research has found that echinacea plants contain compounds that may reduce feelings of anxiety. These include alkamides, rosmarinic acid, and caffeic acid.

Anti-inflammatory properties
Inflammation is your body’s natural way of promoting healing and defending itself. Sometimes inflammation can get out of control and last longer than necessary and expected. This can increase your risk of chronic diseases and other health problems. Several studies have shown that echinacea may help reduce excessive inflammation.

It can help treat skin problems
Research has shown that echinacea plants can help treat common skin problems such as acne, eczema, improve skin hydration, reduce wrinkles, improve eczema symptoms, and help restore the thin, protective outer layer of the skin.

May offer protection against cancer
Cancer is a disease that involves the uncontrolled growth of cells. Test-tube studies have shown that echinacea extracts can suppress the growth of cancer cells and even cause cancer cell death.

Special precautions
Because echinacea appears to stimulate the immune system, people with autoimmune disorders (such as lupus or multiple sclerosis) or people taking immunosuppressive medications should avoid it or consult their doctor first. People with inulin sensitivity should not use echinacea.
Do not use for more than a month without specialist supervision.
Caution is advised when using echinacea in children or during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Always seek medical advice in these cases.

Indicative bibliography

Echinacea biotechnology: advances, commercialization and future considerations

Dietary supplementation of Echinacea purpurea powder improved performance, serum lipid profile, and yolk oxidative stability in laying hens

Immunomodulation with echinacea - a systematic review of controlled clinical trials

Immune enhancing effects of Echinacea purpurea root extract by reducing regulatory T cell number and function

Antioxidant, Antidiabetic, and Antihypertensive Properties of Echinacea purpurea Flower Extract and Caffeic Acid Derivatives Using In Vitro Models

The effect of Echinacea preparations in three laboratory tests of anxiety: comparison with chlordiazepoxide

Chicoric acid supplementation prevents systemic inflammation-induced memory impairment and amyloidogenesis via inhibition of NF-κB

The effect and safety of highly standardized Ginger (Zingiber officinale) and Echinacea (Echinacea angustifolia) extract supplementation on inflammation and chronic pain in NSAIDs poor responders. A pilot study in subjects with knee arthrosis

Skin improvement and stability of Echinacea purpurea dermatological formulations

Cytotoxic effects of Echinacea root hexanic extracts on human cancer cell lines