Summary
Native Americans, among others, have long used Echinacea for a wide variety of ailments including toothaches, sore throats and even snake bites. And now scientific research is starting to show that the herb can keep immune systems healthy and strong. Studies show that Echinacea works against an enzyme called hyaluronidase that destroys the body's defenses against diseases.
Original source:
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Details
Echinacea is a very popular herb and it is used throughout the world.
It is also known as purple cone flower, Sampson root, black Sampson and red sunflower.
Echinacea was first used in the United States by Native Americans who lived on the Great Plains.
The root of the plant was used to treat toothaches, sore throats and other irritations in the mouth..
Research has been greatly done to study the healing and curative properties of Echinacea.
Actually, the plant as a whole is very useful, including the leaves, roots and purple flowers.
Echinacosides are in the roots and flowers of Echinacea, while the leaves of the plant contain polysaccharide heteroxylan.
This enzyme is thought to destroy the body's natural barrier between healthy body tissues and infecting organisms.
It has been found that Echinacea is very effective in boosting the immune system of cancer patients, especially after chemotherapy treatment.
Research suggests that Echinacea extract may be helpful in slowing tumor growth, and destroying such viruses as herpes and certain strains of influenza.
To soothe a sore throat, it may be used as a gargle.
In fact, studies have demonstrated Echinacea's effectiveness against bacterial, fungal and viral infections.
It reduces inflammation of different parts of the body.
It is also effective in treating different skin problems, including abrasions, wounds, eczema, acne, boils and psoriasis.
The herb is sometimes combined with an antifungal agent, and also has been used to treat the overgrowth of candida.
It may also help in cases of peritonitis.
Another benefit of this
herb is that it may help soothe insect bites and stings, including those from poisonous insects.
Echinacea is available in several forms, including extracts, pills, lozenges, tablets, capsules and tinctures.
About the author: Mike Adams is a natural health researcher, author and award-winning journalist with a passion for teaching people how to improve their health He has authored and published thousands of articles, interviews, consumers guides, and books on topics like health and the environment, and he is well known as the creator of popular downloadable preparedness programs on financial collapse, emergency food storage, wilderness survival and home defense skills. Adams is an independent journalist with strong ethics who does not get paid to write articles about any product or company. In 2010, Adams created TV.NaturalNews.com, a natural living video sharing site featuring thousands of user videos on foods, fitness, green living and more. He's also a successful software entrepreneur, having founded a well known email marketing software company whose technology currently powers the NaturalNews email newsletters. Adams also serves as the executive director of the Consumer Wellness Center, a non-profit consumer protection group, and enjoys outdoor activities, nature photography, Pilates and martial arts training. He's also author a large number of health books offered by Truth Publishing and is the creator of numerous reference website including NaturalPedia.com and the free downloadable Honest Food Guide. His websites also include the free reference sites HerbReference.com and HealingFoodReference.com. Adams believes in free speech, free access to nutritional supplements and the innate healing ability of the human body. Known on the 'net as 'the Health Ranger,' Adams shares his ethics, mission statements and personal health statistics at www.HealthRanger.org
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Tuesday, March 08, 2005
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