Echinacea
Echinacea is a plant used for centuries by Native Americans and in European herbal medicine. It’s not a cure-all, but it can help reduce the effects of the flu, including fever, nasal congestion, and the aches and pains that come with this illness. The main active ingredient is echinacoside, which has anti-viral and anti-inflammatory properties.
The Echinacea plant has a long history as a medicinal herb, dating back to Native Americans in the 17th century. Today, it’s widely used as an immune booster and treatment for a cold or flu virus. The active ingredient in echinacea is called echinacoside. Echinacoside helps stimulate the immune system by activating T-cells, B-cells, and macrophages, which are all vital to keeping your body healthy and fighting infection. It can be taken orally or applied to skin wounds or burns to promote healing.
To maximize the benefits of echinacea, take an oral supplement or tincture. You can find echinacea supplements at any health food store or make your tincture from fresh or dried herbs. If you’re using fresh herbs, make sure to use only the roots—for drying instructions, check out your favorite survival guide. This herb works best when taken orally, but you can also make it into a tea, or just steep some fresh leaves in boiling water for 10 minutes and then strain them out before drinking it.
