Echinacea

Echinacea has recently become a popular herb for those trying to ward off cold and flu symptoms. Usually sold in as echinacea liquid, echinacea tincture or in a capsule form, this powerful herb helps to boost the immune system and remove toxins from the body, helping in fighting of diseases, viruses and bacterial infections. Echinacea, used for centuries in China, is now a popular "mainstream" herb found in drug stores and pharmacies as well as health food stores and online websites.

Echinacea is a large, rangy native plant of the North American prairies, and is often found in gardens as a colorful and drought resistant flower called a coneflower. The flower of the echinacea plant is very colorful and looks like a large variable colored daisy with a spiny, spiky center, from which the name is derived. Echinacea purpurea, or purple coneflower is one of the most popular garden varieties. Echinacea "kim's mophead" variety is a large white flowering variety that only grows about a foot high, making it ideal as a border plant in a garden. For a very unique variety consider the green flowers of the variety of echinacea "green envy". These jade green blooms are very unique in the plant world, and they are a must for a gardener looking for a conversation piece. Bulk seed echinacea can be purchased at most garden stores, but typically it is best to plant already established coneflowers to assure maximum growth.

There are many health benefits of echinacea including the boost to the immune system, treatment of urinary tract infections, and treatment of upper respiratory infections and conditions. In topical applications echinacea can be used to help heal wounds, burns, cuts and other skin lesions.

For most people using echinacea, side effects may be mild nausea, upset stomach and a bad aftertaste in your mouth will be all that you will notice. Individuals with AIDS, HIV or any other auto-immune disorder should not take echinacea without first consulting their doctor. Some people are allergic to high levels of echinacea, overdose symptoms will appear as difficulty swallowing, skin rash, headache and swelling and overall itching sensation. In the case of an echinacea overdose, antidote treatment includes immediate treatment by a physician, usually in response to the allergic reaction. The physician will determine other echinacea overdose treatment options at the time.