Echinacea

Overview

Echinacea is a perennial herb found in eastern and central North America. Echinacea, used medicinally, is recommended to boost the immune system and fight infections.

Botanical Names

 Echinacea angustifolia (more potent variety)

 Echinacea purpurea

 Echinacea pallida

 Echinacea atrorubens

 Echinacea laevigata

 Echinacea paradoxa

 Echinacea sanguinea

 Echinacea serotina

 Echinacea simulata

 Echinacea tennesseensis

Parts Used

 Roots

 Rhizomes

 Leaves 

Cardiovascular System

 Echinacea may increase the body's Red Blood Cells count and improve red blood cell function.  ^[1]

Immune System:  Ailments

 Echinacea may accelerate the recovery from many types of Bacterial & Viral Diseases and may help to prevent many types of Bacterial & Viral Diseases:  ^[2]

 Echinacea may inhibit some forms of Bacteria - Detrimental(due to Echinacoside), including:

 Escherichia  ^[3]

 Listeria monocytogenes  ^[4]

 Pseudomonas aeruginosa  ^[5]

 Staphylococcus aureus  ^[6]

 Streptococcus - Beneficial 

 Echinacea may inhibit some types of Fungi - Detrimental:

 Echinacea may prevent the recurrence of infection by Candida albicans due to the Echinacoside content of Echinacea.  ^[7]

 Echinacea may inhibit Cryptococcus neoformans.  ^[8]

 Echinacea may inhibit Epidermophyton floccosum.  ^[9]

 Echinacea may inhibit Microsporum gypseum.  ^[10]

 Echinacea may inhibit Trichophyton mentagrophytes.  ^[11]

 Echinacea may suppress the growth and reproduction rates of Trichomonas vaginalis. The Detrimental Protozoa that is responsible for causing most cases of Leukorrhea) (due to the Echinacoside content of Echinacea).  ^[12]

 Echinacea may suppress many Viruses:  ^[13]

 Echinacea has been regarded as a valuable adjunct to the treatment of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome due to its ability to stimulate Immunity. 

 Echinacea purpurea has been shown to stimulate NK Lymphocytes and Phagocytes in AIDS patients.           

 There are some concerns regarding the use of Echinacea in AIDS, as Echinacea may also increase the body’s levels of Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF), and TNF is known to stimulate the replication of the HIV virus that causes AIDS.

 Echinacea may inhibit the induction of inflammatory Cytokines by Adenoviruses and may exert virucidal (virus-killing) effects against Adenoviruses.  ^[14]

 Echinacea may inhibit viruses that cause the Common Cold, thereby helping to prevent it, accelerating recovery, and reducing its symptoms.  ^[15]

 Echinacea may exert anti-viral effects against Herpes Simplex Virus:   Echinacea may exert anti-viral effects against the Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1.  ^[16]

 Echinacea may help to prevent Influenza and may exert anti-viral effects against Influenza Viruses (primarily by stimulating the production of Interferon Alpha and Interferon Beta).  It has also been demonstrated to significantly reduce the symptoms of Influenza.  ^[17]      

 Clinical trials demonstrating the effectiveness of Echinacea for the treatment of Influenza have generally used Echinacea purpurea root (alcohol extract) at a dosage of 900 mg (180 drops) per day.

 Echinacea may inhibit the induction of inflammatory Cytokines by Respiratory Syncytial Virus and may exert virucidal (virus-killing) effects against Respiratory Synyctial Virus.  ^[18]