Echinacea Really Does Work!
Article by Angela Haldane
Echinacea – Echinacea angustifolia, or Echinacea purpurea are the correct botanical species. When sourcing this herbal remedy, it's important to purchase the preparation made from the root, rather than the flowering tops. The root contains the akylamides which are responsible for the immune stimulating activity. This kind of preparation gives a tingling sensation on the tongue, therefore you can easily tell if you have bought an effective product. The herbal treatment Cold Decongestant Formula on this website contains excellent quality Echinacea.
Studies show that Echinacea root extract enhances immune function by raising the natural killer cells. It is good in prevention – taking 5ml daily of this natural remedy in the winter months or change of season. If you catch a cold or influenza, studies show that the Echinacea group are sick for fewer days than the control group and the intensity of the symptoms are rated as less.
In an acute situation, it is important to take enough of this very successful alternative medicine to treat the infection. Start with 5 ml 4-6 times daily, and then once symptoms are improving, reduce to 3 times daily until the viral infection has gone. Then resume the preventative dose of your herbal remedy.
Echinacea has had a lot of mis-information in the past few years. This may be because there are products that are ineffective by using the wrong part of the plant – the flowering tops rather than the root. The root is easier to harvest and is therefore cheaper to produce. Some of the research studies also may have been well under the therapeutic dose.
It is important to set it right – according to the scientific reports on Echinacea and the traditional use of Echinacea. It is a truly wonderful herb and alternative medicine, that when it is used correctly, is a highly effective herbal treatment for a wide range of conditions.