Echinacea purpurea is a medicinal plant used in pharmacology and traditional medicine. On its basis, drugs that increase immunity are produced - effective natural biostimulants. They fight the cause of disease, and not its consequence: the body gains strength and counteracts the onset of viruses, fungi and pathogenic bacteria.
On the basis of raw materials obtained from Echinacea purpurea, many drugs are produced. Many of them can be found in Russian pharmacies - for example, tablets and drops "Immunal" made in Slovenia, German preparations "Echinacea Doctor Theiss Extract", "Echinacea Hexal", "Echinacea Ratiopharm" (tablets, drops, solution); Echinacea tablets produced by Natur Product Company (Netherlands), domestic alcohol tincture Echinacea Vilar. As stated in the instructions for these drugs, echinacea (reviews often confirm this fact) has a powerful immunostimulating effect.
Echinacea preparations are prescribed by many doctors to frequently ill patients for the prevention of colds, especially in the autumn-winter period. In this case, their intake should begin at least a week, or better - 2-3 before the expected epidemic or the onset of cold weather. To strengthen the body's defenses, 20-30 drops of the drug (or one tablet) are usually prescribed three or four times a day. Echinacea, a review of which confirms its effectiveness, at the onset of a flu or SARS, gives a good effect. The dose will be slightly different: for example, in the first 3-5 days, you should take 30-40 drops (or two tablets) of the drug at a time. Next, the dose is reduced to preventive and take the drug for another two weeks.
Echinacea, reviews of which, for the most part, is positive, is used in the complex treatment of chronic diseases of the respiratory tract, ENT organs and oral cavity - bronchitis, pharyngitis, sinusitis, stomatitis and others. It is also prescribed for recurrent diseases of the genitourinary system - colpitis, adnexitis, glomerulonephritis, cystitis, etc. However, far from everyone helps echinacea: reviews on various online forums suggest that often the effect of its use is absent. Skeptics say: there is no point in taking either pills or alcohol tincture of echinacea or, accordingly, the drug Immunal. In their opinion, only natural plant juice or tea from its leaves brings benefits, so it makes sense to grow echinacea in garden plots to treat your family.
Contraindications to taking Echinacea-based drugs are quite serious: first of all, tuberculosis, multiple sclerosis, systemic diseases of the connective tissue, etc. Pregnant women should not take them, since the mechanism of the effect of these drugs on the fetus has not yet been studied. As for the age of the patients, children Echinacea is allowed to receive only from 12 years old. Some manufacturers indicate that already 6-year-old babies can be prescribed a half dose of the drug, but we are talking only about tablets, but not about alcohol tincture. Others believe that it is contraindicated in children under 4 years of age. Nevertheless, echinacea for children (reviews of this are available on the Internet) is often still used by parents without a doctor's prescription, even for the treatment of young children. It should be understood that they do this at their own peril and risk.
Echinacea purpurea preparations should be taken with caution for allergy sufferers, as there have been cases of relevant reactions: itching, skin rashes, swelling. For the same reason, echinacea for immunity, reviews of which are mostly good, is contraindicated in asthmatics. Elderly people, as a rule, respond well to taking these drugs, however, a doctor’s consultation is necessary and, possibly, dose adjustment depending on the age and condition of the patient.