Echinacea
Echinacea refers to specific flowering plants native primarily to the area of North America. Also referred to as coneflowers, they’re widely known for their purple or pink petals and surround a red or dark brown cone or seed head. These plants contain complex combinations and mixtures of active components. Some support your immune system, while others boast antiviral and antimicrobial properties.
Nowadays, echinacea is used for various products all over the globe to treat various illnesses, including colds and coughs, bronchitis, gingivitis, yeast infections, ear infections, muscle pain, vaginitis, influenza, canker sores, respiratory infections, specific inflammatory conditions, HIV and AIDS. It can be consumed or administered in many different forms, from teas and pills to juice and topical solutions. While much of the evidence about its efficacy in promoting health is anecdotal, there are still scientific findings supporting echinacea’s medicinal potential.
While the oral consumption of echinacea for short periods is relatively safe, the long-term impact is still unclear. Some of the adverse reactions to its use are rashes, which may have resulted due to an allergy to the flower. Moreover, because the FDA doesn’t regulate it, there may be other side effects that can occur from its use.
