15 Remarkable Medicinal Properties Of Echinacea To Benefit From

What is Echinacea used for? Discover the 15 remarkable medicinal properties of Echinacea against ailments and health conditions, an amazing medicinal plant that very few know about.

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What Is Echinacea?

Echinacea is a multifunctional medicinal plant that has been used since ancient times to boost the immune system.

It can also be used to combat the flu, as well as to soothe acne, cold sores or sunburn.

Properties are still being discovered today. 

The herbaceous plant is very popular in the United States and Canada.

Although there are different varieties, the best known are the Angustifolia and the Purpurea.

The first is more popular in America and the second in Europe.

The natives of the American tribes already used it by crushing the plant between stones to treat colds, catarrhs, sore throats, infections, wounds and injuries, both in humans and even in horses.

Everything of it is used: the leaves, the stems, the flowers and the roots.

Due to the high popularity that it reached in 1887, it was introduced as a medicinal product in the United States and was the most widely used herb in America until the appearance of penicillin.

Currently, it’s used in medicine as a liquid extract, in infusions, in syrup or in tablet form.

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Composition & Medicinal Properties of Echinacea

The most important active components of Echinacea are polyphenols: caftaric acid, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, echinacoside acid and citric acid.

These provide it with immunological, and anti-infectious properties, making Echinacea an antibiotic and a natural antihistamine to combat environmental allergies.

Although Echinacea is already well known in the world, there are certain properties that few know about.

These are some of them:

Stimulates The Immune System

Thanks to the fact that it contains alkylamides and polysaccharides, it increases the body’s defences against viruses, bacteria and other pathogens and external attacks.

Studies confirm that its root has immunomodulatory properties.

In other words, Echinacea activates different immunity cells.

This property makes it especially recommended during the winter months, to combat the flu, the common cold, laryngitis, pharyngitis or tonsillitis and, in general, upper respiratory problems.

In these cases, it acts to prevent and reduce the incidence and duration.

Acts Against The Influenza A Virus

A study from the University of Giessen, in Germany, published in the Virology Journal, recently showed that Echinacea is effective against the influenza A virus.

More precisely, it inhibits the infective capacity of the H3N2, H5N1, H7N7 (avian flu) and H1N1 (swine flu) strains by more than 99%, all of which have significant pandemic potential.

To do this, the sooner a treatment with fresh Echinacea extract is started, the more powerful and effective the results.

According to several studies, Echinacea is a faithful ally against bacteria and viruses such as influenza A.

This is a very important finding, since, although the antiviral and antibacterial activity of echinacea is well known, it is the first time that direct efficacy against the influenza A virus has been demonstrated.

It’s Antiseptic

Echinacea is an excellent disinfectant solution.

As an antiseptic, it acts both orally and topically. In the first case, it’s useful when you suffer from a sore throat, candidiasis (common vaginal yeast infection) or urinary tract infections.

And at a topical or epithelial level, it acts as a healing and skin regenerator when a wound has occurred.

It’s Anti-Inflammatory

Echinacea is capable of lowering and calming inflammation of the throat and pharynx, for example, when there is an infection.

In fact, it’s known that opera singers usually take it because it helps to reduce inflammation of the oral cords and thus prevents hoarseness.

It’s A Natural Antibiotic

Although we cannot say that it acts like an antibiotic (that is, it is not comparable to amoxicillin), it’s a good natural remedy to stimulate the production of lymphocytes and thus increase the body’s ability to defend itself against viruses and bacteria.

Being natural, it can be taken at the same time as an antibiotic or together with another type of medication.

And it’s a good solution for immunocompromised people or to avoid polypharmacy.

Of course, always consult a health practitioner prior to starting any new treatment.

It’s Antifungal

Echinacea acts against some fungi, such as the Candida fungus, which cause discomfort and vaginal infections – as long as its presence in the body is moderate, it’s a good remedy to prevent the infection from spreading further and it’s also useful together with drug treatment since it improves immunity and increases defences. 

Heals the Skin

When an external or superficial wound occurs, Echinacea can be used topically to heal it, thanks to its phenolic components (polyphenols) and polysaccharides, it helps to clean, heal and close wounds.

In addition, the plant stimulates the synthesis of fibroblasts, which are responsible for producing collagen and elastin and promoting tissue regeneration.

Relieves Stomatitis

Stomatitis is the inflammation of the oral mucosa that causes ulcers or sores, wounds and swelling on the palate, tongue, gums, cheeks, or lips.

In this case, Echinacea mouthwashes are a good natural remedy to disinfect the area, soothe and reduce inflammation.

Acts Against Skin Disorders

When it comes to inflammatory skin conditions such as acne, dermatitis, eczema or psoriasis, Echinacea acts at different levels: as an anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and healer.

In cases of acne, it’s important that it’s used as a gel, and in the case of dermatitis or psoriasis, a denser texture is necessary, such as creams.

Prevents Oral Herpes

Herpes usually comes out when we have low defences, due to an infection caused by the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1).

This is latent in many people and ‘wakes up’ when we have a drop in our immunity levels.

Precisely, lipsticks with Echinacea help heal it and prevent it from appearing again.

And oral solutions are a good preventive and antiseptic remedy (it should be taken for two or three months), for people with a tendency to break out.

Soothes Sunburn

Dense creams after-sun oils with Echinacea are a good solution for sunburns due to their anti-inflammatory, healing and soothing properties.

In addition, these have an occlusive effect on the skin, which prevents dehydration.

It’s important to note that adequate sun exposure with SPF50 sunscreen is always preferable to avoid this issue.

Relieves Bronchitis

Bronchitis is an inflammation of the bronchi due to an infection.

A study published in the Virus Research magazine ensures that this medicinal plant is effective in preventing complications derived from viral processes in the respiratory tract, sinusitis, bronchitis, pneumonia and septicaemia.

In this case, as in colds, pharyngitis or sore throats, Echinacea is recommended in the form of syrup or pills as a preventive measure and as a treatment for symptoms such as cough and sore throat.

Fights Urinary Infections

It will sound more familiar to you if we talk about cystitis.

This is caused by a bacterium that normally lives in our intestinal flora, Escherichia coli (E. coli), but which sometimes reaches our urinary tract, multiplies and ends up causing urinary infection.

If the cystitis is punctual, Echinacea, in syrup or in capsules, acts as a natural antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antiseptic thanks to its polyphenolic components and its high molecular weight polysaccharides, which help stimulate the defences.

Probiotic bacteria (particularly Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Lactobacillus plantarum) balance the vaginal flora, reduce the possibility of Escherichia coli bacteria attaching to the urinary walls, reduce their growth and activate our defences to quickly eliminate them.

Soothes Insect Bites

Native American tribes used Echinacea centuries ago to treat wounds, infections, and inflammation caused by insects and snake bites.

Today, it’s still useful against insects: when an insect bites us, an inflammatory reaction occurs. Precisely, Echinacea lowers the infection and inflammation produced by its bite.

Of course, it’s not a repellent and using it will not prevent mosquitoes from biting you.

Helps Against Allergies

Did you know that Echinacea can help you against allergies?

The idea is to take it on an empty stomach and if possible accompanied by vitamin C (orange juice).

In fact, there are already supplements that contain both substances.

Generally, the recommended dose is 250 mg, although depending on the brands, this amount can go up to 400 mg.

Why is Echinacea Particularly Good For Women?

In addition to polyphenols, alkylamides and polysaccharides, Echinacea is rich in calcium, magnesium, iron, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, zinc and vitamins of group B (B1, B2 and B3) and C, as well as beta-carotene.

Thanks to its high content of essential nutrients, Echinacea is excellent for women.

This gives it a high antioxidant capacity to prevent the effects of premature photoaging (spots, wrinkles and sagging), macular degeneration in the eyes, photosensitivity in the skin and, as we have already seen, some very feminine vaginal infections, such as candidiasis.

When & How To Take Echinacea?

A priori there is no specific moment, except when a specific need arises (of which we will detail previously).

But the truth is that, by acting effectively on colds and flu, winter is one of the times in which it is most in demand.

And it’s also very effective in spring to soothe seasonal allergies.

We can easily find it in pharmacies and parapharmacies in capsules containing its root powder, as a mother tincture, in effervescent tablets, in drops, or syrup.

For How Long To Take Echinacea?

One of its main advantages is that, as it’s a natural product, you don’t have to rest during treatment, as is the case with drugs and vitamin supplements.

You can take it for as long as you want, however, it’s essential to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations because natural does not mean it is harmless to health.

The recommendation would be to take it for two weeks before winter and spring to prevent colds, infections and allergies.

Contraindications & Side Effects Of Echinacea

No matter how natural a plant is, it’s not always innocuous.

People who are allergic to plants such as daisies, chrysanthemums, or marigolds may also be allergic to Echinacea.

And people who suffer from asthma or atopic eczema can also suffer from a cross-allergy with Echinacea.

We must also avoid homemade formulations, as the ‘do it yourself’ can become expensive for us.

In some markets, they sell mother tinctures (of dubious origin and with great ignorance about their formulation and dose), which contain a highly concentrated extract and it’s easy to overdose.

If this happens we could experience nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhoea, fever, sore throat, muscle pain, joint pain, bad taste in the mouth, dry mouth, headache, confusion, dizziness, insomnia and allergic skin reactions.

Always make sure to consult with a professional phytotherapist before starting a new herbal treatment – we cannot stress this enough!

Final Thoughts

Echinacea is an amazing herb with many properties we can take advantage of.

No matter how you decide to use it, it will most certainly accomplish its mission.

Just make sure to do it safely, under the advice of a qualified professional.

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