This article will discuss how to take Echinacea tincture to prevent colds and flu.
Echinacea-based drugs have powerful immunomodulatory properties. These drugs have a natural composition and do not have a negative effect on the human body in the form of complications or side effects. However, even taking into account relative safety, it is necessary to consult a doctor about taking the drug in order to exclude contraindications and determine the correct dosage of echinacea according to the instructions.
Views
In pharmaceutical practice, three types of echinacea are used that have immunity-supporting properties:
Composition and properties
The composition of these plants includes several substances that have a beneficial effect on the human body. Among them, the following can be noted:
- Echinosides. Contained in the flowers and roots of plants. These substances play the role of a natural antibacterial agent, possess penicillin-like properties. Echinosides effectively destroy various types of pathogenic bacteria. Another property is the cleansing of the body of free radicals.
- Polysaccharides. Concentrated in areas of plants above the ground. Upon penetration into the body, polysaccharides envelop the cells, thereby creating a protective film that opposes bacteria and viruses. In addition, polysaccharides help cells restore their structure.
- Alkylamides. Stand out mainly from the roots of plants. These substances have an analgesic effect. Alkylamides are often used in broad-spectrum anesthetics.
- Inulin. It is also in the root of the plant. This substance is able to activate the work of white blood cells (lymphocytes), which allows you to quickly and effectively get rid of infectious pathogens. Stimulated in a similar way, the reaction from the side of the immune system accelerates the healing process.
- The minerals contained in the plant also play an active role in supporting the protective properties of the body. Echinacea contains potassium, iron, magnesium, aluminum, as well as flavonoids, essential oils, sinorin, chlorogenic acid and vitamins.
According to the instructions, echinacea is prescribed as part of the complex treatment of infectious diseases, the causative agents of which are streptococci and staphylococci, as well as tonsillitis, sinusitis and furunculosis. A high degree of effectiveness is shown by these drugs as a prophylactic against colds in seasons with increased epidemiological danger.
Indications
What else does the instruction tell us? Echinacea has a wide range of uses. In particular, it is prescribed in combination with other drugs in the following conditions:
- Herpetic infections.
- Skin rash and boils.
- Sleep disturbance, irritability.
- Reception of antibacterial drugs.
- Frequent colds.
- A long and difficult course of recovery.
- Lethargy, weakness and breakdown.
- Drinking alcohol, smoking.
- An increase in body temperature of unknown origin.
- Adverse environmental conditions.
- Other signs indicating reduced immunity.
Indications for use for echinacea should be strictly observed.
Release Forms
In pharmacies, you can find quite a lot of drugs, which include echinacea. The forms of release of drugs based on this plant are diverse and suitable for all age groups. So, in particular, there are the following drug options:
- Different parts of plants, dried and packaged in packages of various sizes.
- Herbal tea for brewing, packaged in special filter bags.
- Juice obtained from a plant, which is produced in the form of drops, diluted in water.
- Echinacea extract in liquid form, packaged in 50-100 ml vials. It can be added to tea.
- A tablet form with various dosages of echinacea. In this capacity, drugs are produced under various names - “Immunal”, “Estifan”, “Immunorm”, etc. Quite often, the composition of the tablets is supplemented with vitamins. The use of echinacea in tablets is now increasingly popular.
- Preparations from the category of homeopathic remedies. They are produced in the form of granules for oral administration.
- Solutions for injection.
Instruction manual
As the instruction for echinacea indicates, an alcohol-based extract is taken as a prophylactic for two weeks. A single dosage is 20 drops, the drug is taken twice a day, preferably before meals. If the violation of the immune system is severe, it is possible to prolong the course of administration for up to one month, and a single dosage increases to 25 drops.
As a supplement to therapy for acute respiratory viral infections, infections of bacterial origin and influenza, as well as exacerbations of chronic diseases, it is recommended to take echinacea tincture three times a day - in a single dosage of 25 drops. The drug shows high efficiency at the first sign of a cold. Doctors also advise taking it another two days after the symptoms disappear.
Echinacea for children
According to reviews, this tool for children is simply irreplaceable. The child’s body is more susceptible to colds. Immunity, which is in the formation stage, is not always able to resist the negative effects of pathogenic microorganisms, which are present in large numbers in children's groups. Such an effect leads to frequent, recurring colds, the healing process is often delayed and is accompanied by complications.
Children under 12 years old are contraindicated in taking alcohol extracts of echinacea. Various syrups, tablets, granules and lozenges, emulsions are produced for them. It is permissible to brew herbal teas. Echinacea for adults is also sometimes prescribed for children.
Starting from 12 years old, alcohol tincture can be used to increase the protective properties of the body. It must be diluted with water, based on a ratio of 1: 3 and giving the child 5-10 drops of the resulting solution three times a day before meals.
Phytotea with echinacea can be drunk by children from three years of age up to three times a day, 50 ml each. In this case, the duration of the course of admission should not be more than five weeks. You can add tea to compotes and juices or use in its pure form.
Indications for the use of echinacea, we reviewed, then we will talk about contraindications.
Contraindications
In addition to a huge number of indications, there are contraindications to echinacea. So, drugs based on this plant can not be taken under the following conditions:
- acute leukemia;
- malignant neoplasms;
- immunodeficiency of viral origin;
- diabetes;
- hypersensitivity or allergic reaction to echinacea;
- tuberculosis;
- systemic lupus erythematosus.
Prolonged use of drugs with echinacea can lead to disruption of the gastrointestinal tract, as well as nervous excitement.
In addition, echinacea has a toxic effect on the liver, provided long-term use. Be that as it may, all contraindications of Echinacea are described in detail in the instructions.
Interaction with other drugs
Echinacea is not combined with all drugs. So, you should avoid combining it with drugs that negatively affect the liver. These include the following:
- Amiodarone.
- Steroids included in the anabolic group.
- "Methotrexate".
- Ketoconazole.
Echinacea is contraindicated in conjunction with immunosuppressants, such as corticosteroids and cyclosporine, as well as in the recovery period after organ transplantation. This is due to the fact that echinacea in this case can provoke an exacerbation of diseases and a decrease in immunity.
Quite often, there are disputes about taking echinacea during pregnancy and breastfeeding. The decision should be made by the attending physician, since only a specialist is able to adequately assess the possible risks and potential benefits of taking the drug. However, alcohol tinctures are clearly contraindicated in these conditions.
Now it’s clear that first of all, echinacea raises immunity. Consider what people think about it.
Reviews
There are a lot of reviews about echinacea-based drugs. They allow us to conclude that the medicines that make up this plant effectively boost immunity. So, for example, many reviews contain information about the drug Echinacea P, the use of which made it possible to avoid colds during a difficult epidemiological situation.
Particular attention is focused on the convenience of the tablet form of the drug. In this case, it is not a problem to take it anywhere and anytime, whether on a trip or at work. Also, the plus of the tablets is the absence of alcohol in the composition, which allows them to be given even to children and does not create problems when driving.
Reviews of echinacea for children confirm the high effectiveness of the drug in the fight against viral diseases. Taking it significantly speeds up the healing process. For example, after suffering a sore throat, many experience a breakdown, and the body can easily catch a new virus under the influence of a disease. It is in such cases that Echinacea can help.
You probably know that human immunity is a defense exhibited by the body against harmful bacteria and fungi. Many negative factors (stress, hypothermia, etc.) can weaken these protective properties. It is in such cases that Echinacea can become a real salvation for the body.