Probably many people know about echinacea. But what do you know about the healing properties of this plant? But Echinacea, the use of which is very wide, among medicinal plants has taken its rightful place. There are many species of this plant, but purple echinacea is more commonly used for medical purposes .
Echinacea purpurea is a perennial plant, originally from North America, which has beautiful purple flowers, a specific smell and taste. Today it is cultivated in Ukraine, Russia, the CIS countries as an ornamental and medicinal plant.
For therapeutic purposes, flowers, roots and leaves of Echinacea are used.
The composition of Echinacea and beneficial properties
Echinacea, the use of which is due to the chemical composition and healing properties, has many useful substances for the normal functioning of our body.
So, immunomodulating properties are determined by the content of biologically active substances in large quantities: these are polysaccharides, saponins, essential and fatty oils, glycosides, inulin, organic acids (including polyunsaturated fatty acids), alkaloids, tannins, glucose, resins, phytosterols; polyenes that destroy various types of fungi; phenolic acids with antiseptic properties; betaine, capable of preventing the development of stroke and heart attack; phenolic carboxylic acids with diuretic properties and strengthening immunity.
In addition, all parts of the plant contain many minerals, including rare ones that we often lack in food: potassium, calcium, selenium, manganese, silver, zinc, molybdenum, cobalt, chlorine, vanadium, iron, aluminum, magnesium, barium, nickel, beryllium.
Echinacea, the use of which we will examine in more detail below, has anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antifungal, antiseptic, diuretic, anti-allergic, immunomodulating, bactericidal and antirheumatic properties.
Echinacea: use in medicine
This medicinal plant is called a “blood cleaner”, which is very important for us, because it is one of the most important components of a healthy body. Echinacea effectively cleanses the blood, lymphatic system, liver and kidneys. It treats not the consequences of the disease, but its root causes. It is very important that the plant has no side effects.
Echinacea and preparations based on it are used for acute and chronic diseases. The action of such drugs is based on enhancing immunity. Moreover, the plant helps both babies from 2-3 years old (when their immunity only develops), as well as mature and elderly people.
Echinacea is used in case of deterioration of the body's defenses, in diseases with metabolic disorders and endocrine glands, with ailments associated with chemical poisoning.
Traditional medicine uses tinctures, decoctions and infusions prepared from flowers, leaves, roots and stems of echinacea, both in dry form and in fresh.
Echinacea tincture is effective in the treatment of: cystitis, adnexitis, nephritis; colds and infectious diseases: bronchitis, flu, acute respiratory viral infections, tonsillitis, herpes, pneumonia (treatment and prevention); chronic autoimmune diseases (hepatitis, rheumatoid arthritis , etc.); female diseases (with inflammatory processes); diseases of the genital area in men (prostatitis, adenoma); to enhance sexual potency; stomach ulcers, constipation, gastritis, spasms of blood vessels; after prolonged use of antibiotics, radiation, chemotherapy or exposure to radiation; for growth retardation of malignant neoplasms, leukopenia; with wounds, psoriasis, eczema, septic processes, frostbite and burns; trophic ulcers, purulent deep wounds.
Tincture is prepared as follows: 70 g of dry alcohol or 200 g of fresh raw materials (leaves, stems, flowers) are poured into a liter of alcohol 70%. 2-3 weeks insist in the dark, with occasional shaking. Then it is filtered and taken orally 10 days before a meal of 20 cap. thrice a day. Then a three-day break, after which the 10-day course of treatment is repeated twice again.
Echinacea infusions have antiviral and antibacterial effects, they are effective for polyarthritis, herpes, obesity, gynecological disorders, prostatitis.
Reception of Echinacea improves the quality of the blood, accelerates the healing of wounds, bruises, fractures, improves immunity, strengthens memory, relieves stress and fatigue, improves memory, working capacity and physical activity, protects against colds, eliminates cravings for tobacco and alcohol, enhances potency in any age, treats male and female infertility. In the form of compresses and lotions for psoriasis, burns, eczema, boils and bedsores, an infusion in which there is echinacea will also help.
How to take the infusion and its recipe: 500 g of boiling water fill the table. a spoonful of dry raw materials (leaves, stems and flowers) are left in a thermos for the night. Then filtered and drunk before meals three times a day, 100-150 gr. Take the infusion for 10 days, and after a 5-day break, another 2 10-day courses are repeated. If necessary, the course is repeated three times after a month break.
Echinacea decoction can cure a stomach ulcer, swelling, joint pain, colds and flu, headaches, it improves mood, stimulates appetite, has a general strengthening effect, normalizes blood pressure and improves eyesight.
With streptococcal infections, psoriasis and snake bites, lotions are made from the decoction.
Recipe for Echinacea decoction: pour boiling water (200 g) a teaspoon of dried leaves and insist 20 minutes in a water bath, filter and drink 10 days in a third glass before meals three times a day. After a 5-day break, they drink another 10 days. The course is repeated at least 3 times after a 5-10-day break.
Fresh inflorescences juice accelerates blood coagulation, and with local external use it accelerates wound healing, heals acne, warts, ulcers, removes age spots and freckles. To do this, they are lubricated with fresh juice at night.
Contraindications
Echinacea is contraindicated during pregnancy and lactation, children under 2 years of age, with leukemia, allergies, multiple sclerosis, systemic lupus erythematosus, AIDS, progressive tuberculosis and individual intolerance. It is not recommended to take preparations of this plant for more than 10 consecutive days.