Incredible Health Benefits of Echinacea
In 2013, I was breastfeeding my first child and I had classical signs of a breast infection (mastitis)—extreme fatigue, fever, swelling, and pain in the breast. A reputable medical site said that antibiotics were the only treatment for mastitis. I wanted to avoid taking antibiotics because I was breastfeeding, and because they make me nauseous (I also learned later that they can be terrible for gut health), so I started searching for natural alternatives. I found a blog that recommended echinacea, oranges, and other natural treatments to boost the immune system. Echinacea and oranges did the trick—I felt better in less than 24 hours! Echinacea—a pretty flower classified as an herb—can provide many benefits for your health. Here are just three of them.
Fights Infections
One study showed that echinacea helped to reduce infections such as influenza, parainfluenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), metapneumovirus, and coronaviruses.
Echinacea was also shown to reduce the number of cases of the common cold, decrease the number of sick days from the common cold, and reduce the need for pain-killers.
Provides Respiratory Relief
Studies have shown that echinacea is useful for fighting off inflammation, and it opens the air passages in the lungs. These effects were similar to the effects produced by synthetic drugs. Studies revealed that echinacea can be used for the treatment of asthma, bronchitis, and other respiratory allergies.
Inhibits Cancer Growth
Echinacea has been shown to be toxic for cancer cells. Cichoric acid—the major compound of echinacea—has been shown to inhibit growth of colon cancer cells.
For the sake of your health, please avoid adulterated products—only buy from brands that sell pure products! Visit Dr. Axe’s website for valuable, extensive information about echinacea. If you need some extra support on your health journey, e-mail me at hello@herholistichealing.com.
References
Jawad M, Schoop R, Suter A, et al. Safety and Efficacy Profile of Echinacea purpurea to Prevent Common Cold Episodes: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2012;2012. https://doi.org/10.1155/2012/841315. Published September 16, 2012. Accessed February 11, 2021.
Sutovska M, Capek P, Kazimierova I, et al. Echinacea complex—chemical view and anti-asthmatic profile. J Ethnopharmacol. 2015;175: 163-171. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2015.09.007. Published December 4, 2015. Accessed February 11, 2021.
Tsai Y, Chiu C, Chen J, et al. Cytotoxic effects of Echinacea purpurea flower extracts and cichoric acid on human colon cancer cells through induction of apoptosis. J Ethnopharmacol. 2012;143(3):914-919. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2012.08.032. Published October 11, 2012. Accessed February 11, 2021.
