Echinacea: medicinal properties and contraindications, rules of use, side effects

Echinacea is a flower whose benefits are known all over the world. It was also used by Indian tribes to heal wounds and prepare antidotes for snake bites. Decoctions were prepared from it to restore the strength of warriors after battles.

It has several types, but only one has medicinal properties. With the help of it, many diseases are cured, but not everyone can use it. Echinacea, with its medicinal properties, has some contraindications.

Chemical composition

The composition of chemical elements in Echinacea purpurea is very rich.

In the rootsCalciumFlavonoidsEssential oils Potassium Manganese EchinacinPhenolcarboxylic acidZinc Essential oilsInulin Cob alt PolyaminesBetaineSelenium PolysaccharidesGlucoseMolybdenum Echinolone Echinacoside Acids: Kumaric Organic Ferulic Coffee Resins Phytosterols Tanning creatures

Throughout the plant	In leaves and stem

Saponins	Fatty oils




Resins		Silver
		Enzymes

Important! When used properly, echinacea can protect the body from many diseases, reduce the risk of complications and speed up recovery.

Useful properties of echinacea

The main property is considered to be an increase in immunity. Preparations with this flower are antiviral and anti-inflammatory.

For the female body

Good effects are given when women are infected with fungi and infections.

Inflammation:

in the ovaries;
in the cervix;
bladder;
kidney.

Means normalize the hormonal background due to the beneficial effect on the thyroid gland and adrenal glands.

For men

Echinacea only benefits men. With its help, diseases of the reproductive system are treated. Helps with:

inflammatory diseases;
prostat;
adenoma;
genital infections.

Echinacea cleanses of toxic substances and restores the protective barrier of the body.

Healing properties for children

Children are given Echinacea preparations for:

prevention of influenza and SARS;
immunity strengthening;
treatment of stomatitis and gum disease;
inhalations for bronchitis;
wound healing.

Compresses are used for external use. They will help relieve inflammation from abrasions, bites, cuts. The tincture is diluted with warm water 1:2 and soaked with gauze, which is applied to the site of inflammation.

For what diseases is medicinal herb used

There are indications for the use of preparations based on echinacea. In some cases, they may be of an auxiliary nature, and in some - the main one (to restore immunity).

Colds, runny nose, flu, SARS

It is useful to take a decoction. A tablespoon of the root is poured with 300 grams of water, mixed and put in a steam bath for half an hour. Cool and drink 30 grams before meals.

Diseases of the bladder and kidneys

Special tincture: 20 grams of herb is mixed in a glass of alcohol. Pour into a bottle and leave for 21 days in a dark place. Drink 20 drops for 10 days.

Cystitis and urethritis

Echinacea helps relieve inflammation and activate the human immune system. For these diseases, a mixed composition or infusion is used.

They take equally the herbs of bearberry, yarrow and purple echinacea inflorescences. For 10 grams of dry mix you need 300 milliliters of boiling water. Keep on low heat for 15 minutes. Then wrap with a towel and leave for an hour. Take 80 milliliters before meals.

Prevention, boosting immunity

To strengthen the body's defenses, drink a decoction. Preparation: 1.5 teaspoon of raw materials is poured with 350 milliliters of boiling water and sent for a quarter of an hour to a water bath. This is a serving for 3 doses: 100 milliliters before meals. The course is from 2 to 3 weeks.

Lymphadenitis

Lymphadenitis is an inflammatory process in the lymph nodes. It appears due to the penetration of various microorganisms into them. It is characterized by soreness and enlarged lymph nodes in the groin, on the neck.

Echinacea contains bioactive substances that restore the protective functions of the immune system. Echinacea is used in combination with antibiotics and antiviral drugs. Adults: 10 drops of tincture 4 times a day.

Children are given syrup. It is boiled from 4 tablespoons of chopped plant roots and 350 milliliters of water, 20 minutes. Then add 3 tablespoons of fresh mint. After cooling and straining, a couple of tablespoons of honey are dissolved in the broth. The child is given syrup three times a day, 1 teaspoon.

Prostate adenoma

The infusion will have a positive effect. To do this, fresh or dry leaves are placed in a jar at the bottom and poured with 1:10 vodka. Leave in a dark place for 14 days. Drink 25 drops before meals, 3 times a day.

Headaches, joint pains

Decoction can reduce joint pain, relieve migraine and insomnia. To do this, boil 200 grams of water with a teaspoon of plant leaves for 10 minutes. Then leave to infuse for an hour. You need to drink before meals, 100 milliliters each.

Gastrointestinal diseases

Echinacea tincture is effective in diseases of the digestive tract and constipation. It is recommended to take 3 courses in a row, with three-day intervals after each. One course is 10 days. Drink tincture 3 times a day, 30 drops each.

Preparation: 20 grams of the plant is poured with 200 grams of vodka. Insist in a dark place for 3 weeks, shaking occasionally.

HPV virus

After the papilloma has been removed, echinacea tincture is used to boost immunity and prevent the recurrence of the disease.

Preparing the tincture: you need to take the herb and 70% alcohol (1:10). The remedy is infused for 14 days. After straining, drink 1 month, 20 drops, 3 times a day.

Conjunctivitis

With conjunctivitis, a decoction is used for internal and external use. Take 1 tablespoon of echinacea roots per 200 grams of water and simmer on low heat for half an hour. Then cool and filter. Drink 4 times a day, 2 tablespoons each.

Open wounds, boils, ulcers, burns

Juice from the flower has an antiseptic, healing and anti-inflammatory effect. It is used for skin lesions. The substances contained in it accelerate wound healing and increase blood clotting.

Tincture is used for eczema and psoriasis. For preparation, take 60 drops of tincture and dilute in 100 milliliters of physical solution. The gauze impregnated with this agent is applied to the sore spot and fixed with a bandage. You need to change the bandage 2 times a day.

Nervous disorders, stress, chronic fatigue

In these diseases, decoction and tincture are used. Tincture recipe: 10 grams of chopped plant roots are added to 100 grams of vodka and infused for a day. Then filter and drink 30 drops, 3 times a day.

Inflammation of the mouth and throat

In case of inflammation of the oral cavity, alcohol tincture and infusions from a medicinal plant are used for rinsing. This procedure helps relieve inflammation and relieve pain. Repairs damaged mucosa by killing pathogens.

For a decoction, take 1 tablespoon of raw materials and pour a glass of boiling water. Let it brew for 1 hour and strain. Gargle up to 4 times a day.

Recipes of traditional medicine

Echinacea is a very popular medicinal plant among traditional healers.

Oil extract from plant roots

Fresh, peeled and chopped roots - 100 grams, pour refined vegetable oil - 500 milliliters. Insist month.

Application:

with inflammatory processes in the upper respiratory tract. Drink 1 teaspoon after meals with water;
with a stomach ulcer. Mix 1 tablespoon of sea buckthorn and echinacea oil. The course of treatment is 1-2 weeks.

Fresh flower juice

Juice is squeezed out of crushed inflorescences. Without diluting anything, take 5 milliliters before meals, for colds.

Infusion

Pour a handful of dry leaves into a thermos and pour one liter of boiling water over it. Let it brew for 4 hours. Take 50 milliliters, 5 times a day. Helps with cystitis.

Echinacea decoction

You need 30 grams of flower buds and 500 grams of boiling water. After boiling, simmer on low heat for 15 minutes. Remove and leave for 3 hours. Take 100 milliliters before meals, 3 times a day.

Tea

Used for colds. Leaves and other parts of the flower are used. You can add a rosehip. One teaspoon of a dry mixture of grass and several rose hips is poured with 500 grams of boiling water and allowed to brew for 10 minutes. At one time, you need to drink 0.5 cups of warm tea.

Tincture from raw plant root

Take a fresh root and pour 100 milliliters of alcohol. Infused in a dark place for 24 hours. Take three times a day, 20 drops. Recommended for depression.

Echinacea All Purpose Alcoholic Tincture

All parts of the plant are used for making. Take 100 grams of raw materials and pour 400 grams of alcohol. Insist 14 days.

Using a unique plant for skin

For the skin use freshly squeezed juice from the leaves. They lubricate problem areas before going to bed:

abscesses;
acne;
pigment spots;
freckles.

Fresh juice will provide first aid for insect bites.

Contraindications and side effects

Echinacea not only brings he alth benefits, it can sometimes be harmful. Drugs cannot be used with it:

children under 12;
diabetic people;
patients with tumors;
hypertension patients;
women during pregnancy and lactation.

The elderly should be used with caution.

Influence on blood pressure

Echinacea increases blood pressure. Because of this, it is contraindicated for hypertensive patients. On the hypotensive, on the contrary, the plant has a beneficial effect. It helps to improve vascular tone and produces a general strengthening effect on the entire body. This is very important for people with low blood pressure.

Important! If hypotension has become a symptom of endocrine abnormalities or disorders of the central nervous system, then echinacea can alleviate the patient's condition, but will not give significant improvements.

Can echinacea raise a fever?

Sometimes after using echinacea, body temperature may rise. No need to panic - this is normal. There is a weakened immune response to the invasion of antigens.

If a person rarely gets colds or becomes infected with a virus during epidemics, then he does not need echinacea. He already has good immunity, and there is no need to strengthen him.