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A – Z of Herbal Remedies

Help: To find Illnesses or Conditions associated with a Herbal Remedy. Select a letter from A - Z of Herbal Remedies. Or Scroll lists. Or Use Search.

Echinacea

Other Names: Echinacea, Purple Coneflower, Black Sampson, Niggerhead, Rudbeckia, Sampson Root, Hedgehog, Red Sunflower, Snakeroot, Kansas Snakeroot, Narrow-leaved Purple Coneflower, Coneflower, Scurvy Root, Indian head, Comb Flower, Black Susans, Echinacea  Augustifolia , Echinacea Pallida
Traditional Usages: Colds, Flu, Migraines, Rheumatism, Tumors, Malaria, Hemorrhoids, Chronic Infections of the Respitory Tract, Throat infections, Urinary Tract and Vaginal Yeast Infections, Stomach Aches, Headaches, Measles, Coughs, Gonnorrhea, Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Snakebites, Boils, Acne, Abscesses, Skin Disorders, Eczema, Cleansing Wash for STD's, Gangrene, Shingles, Toothaches, Chronic Fatigue, Wound healing, Chronic Ulcerations
Resources: North America, Europe, US
Parts Used: Roots, Flowerheads

Administration Method:  Powdered roots, pressed juice and natural preparations for internal and external use
Herbal Research: Echinacea
Health Warning: Avoid during pregnancy and breastfeeding.  Echinacea should not be taken longer than 8 - 10 days at a time - then stopped for a week. In individual cases, allergic reactions of the immediate type are possible. 
Echinacea is a member of the daisy family, so people with a history of asthma or other allergies to other plants in the daisy family such as ragweed, chrysanthemums, marigolds and daisies should not take echinacea. 
Health warning - internal use: Should not be used in serious conditions such as tuberculosis, leukosis, collagenosis, multiple sclerosis, AIDS, HIV infection and autoimmune disorders. Echinacea preparations should not be administered to people with a known allergy to any plant of the Asteraceae (Daisy Family flowering plants). (Source: WHO).


Echinacea – Herbal remedy for Bladder Infections: Echinacea is good for bladder infections as it improves the immune system and kills bacteria. Echinacea has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties and is helpful for recurrent infections. Drink one cup three times daily for five day. Simmer two teaspoons of powdered Echinacea in one cup of water for 10 minutes. Strain and drink when cool.

Echinacea - Herbal remedy for Bacterial Vaginitis: Echinacea is antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antifungal, and antibacterial. It is helpful in treating bacterial vaginitis. Use as a herbal tea by infusing one teaspoon of dried echinacea to one cup of boiling water.  Allow to cool, strain and drink twice daily.

Echinacea - Herbal remedy for Chlamydia:  Echinacea kills a wide variety of pathogens, including viruses, bacteria and yeast infections. It also strengthens tissues and the overall immune system. Here is the basic tea recipe for echinacea herbal tea:   1 teaspoon dried organic echinacea herb;  1 cup of fresh boiled water;  slice of ginger root; lemon juice; honey to sweeten. Pour hot water over leaves and ginger. Let it rest for 3 minutes, strain, add lemon juice and honey.

Echinacea – Herbal remedy for Cold Sores: Echinacea has both anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties. It is available in capsule form, though tinctures may provide more immediate results.

Echinacea - Herbal remedy for Colds:  Take echinacea every two to three hours with a total daily dose of three or more grams per day at the first sign of cold symptoms. After several days the dose is usually reduced and continued for the following week.

Echinacea - Herbal remedy for Cysts: Echinacea can kill the abnormal cells in the body. Take as capsules for ten days and repeat it after taking a three days break.

Echinacea - Herbal remedy for Fever:  Echinacea is a great antiviral and antioxidant and it is available in extracts, tinctures, tablets, capsules, and ointments. It is also available in combination with other herbs, vitamins and minerals. The recommended dosage for an adult is: 1 to 2 grams dried root or herb infused in a cup of boiling water and taken as a tea; 2-3 millilitres of standardized tincture extract; or 300 milligrams of powdered extract.  Halve the dosage for a child.

Echinacea – Herbal remedy for Flu (Influenza):  Echinacea is the most recognized herbal supplement for the prevention and treatment of colds and flu.

Here is the basic tea recipe for echinacea herbal tea: 1 teaspoon dried organic echinacea herb; 1 cup of fresh boiled water.
Optional:  slice of ginger root; lemon juice; honey to sweeten. Infuse echinacea in water for 12 minutes; add a slice of ginger root if you wish for flavor. You will need to reheat at this point due to the long steeping time required. Simply strain the ginger root and echinacea, and reheat on the stove, do not boil. Add some lemon and honey if you wish. If you feel like you are getting a cold or the flu, drink 2 - 3 cups of the tea and get a good night’s sleep. 
 
One of the most extensive and systematic studies to review the safety of echinacea products concluded that overall, "adverse events are rare, mild and reversible," with the most common symptoms being "gastrointestinal and skin-related. Such side effects include nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhea, itch, and rash. Echinacea has also been linked to rare allergic reactions, including asthma and shortness of breath. Muscle and joint pain has been associated with echinacea, but it may have been caused by cold or flu symptoms.

Echinacea - Herbal remedy for Gingivitis: Add a half teaspoon of the liquid form to a half cup of water and rinse your mouth several times before swallowing.  A drop or two of echinacea tincture can be added to herbal teas and mouthwashes. It may cause a slight tingling of the tongue but this effect is considered harmless.

Echinacea - Herbal remedy for Laryngitis: Echinacea is a commonly used remedy for respiratory system problems including laryngitis. Infuse one tablespoon of fresh or dried herbs in a cup of boiling water. Strain and drink twice daily.

Echinacea - Herbal remedy for Lyme Disease: Echinacea can be taken in doses of about 500 milligrams once a day. The dosage regime for the liquid echinacea extract are normally taken at a dosage rate of 3-4 millilitres per dose, taken three times every day of the treatment period.

Echinacea - Herbal remedy for Herpes:  Echinacea has medicinal properties which help in treating herpes. You must take it for four weeks, and then stop for one week before taking it again. You can have this herb in the form of tea. Infuse one tablespoon of dried echinacea in a cup of boiling water for 10 minutes. Strain and drink twice daily.

Echinacea - Herbal remedy for Mastitis: Use 10 drops of echinacea root tincture in half a glass of water six times a day while the infection is bad and then reduce to 2 or 3 times a day.

Echinacea - Herbal remedy for Melanoma: Echinacea is one of the best-known immune- enhancing herbs.  It is effective against a wide range of microbes, including many viruses and bacteria.  Use five drops of echinacea tincture in a glass of water three times a day.

Echinacea - Herbal remedy for Shingles: Echinacea is useful for pain. Take 1- teaspoon of the tincture hourly or more often as required.

Echinacea - Herbal remedy for Strep Throat: Echinacea is available in the form of tinctures, extracts, tablets and capsules. Infuse one teaspoon of dried herb in one cup of boiling water. Strain and drink three cups per day for up to 10 days.

Echinacea - Herbal remedy for Ulcers, Peptic: Echinacea may address any infection that is present. One strain of infective bacteria has recently been found by conventional medical scientists to be involved in a high percentage of gastric ulcers. Echinacea tea is prepared by simply infusing the leaves, stems, flowers and roots of the echinacea plant in hot water.

Always seek the advice of your doctor before taking herbal remedies
   

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