Echinacea tea is a herbal remedy that turned out to be effective in colds, coughs, fight against influenza. I believe that many people drink Echinacea tea will help prevent and stop these diseases. After all, herbs have been known for a long time as immunostimulants useful for strengthening the immune system and preventing infections.
But is there enough scientific basis for this belief?
Echinacea (Echinacea) is a genus of herbaceous plants belonging to the Daisy family. There are nine species in genus, which are generally called purple cornflower. Plants are located in the eastern and central parts of North America, where they grow in pasture and forested areas. They have big, flashy heads of compound flowers and are in full bloom during the summer.
Dry the various parts of the Echinacea plant, in particular the roots, leaves, flowers and stems, then turn into tea, juice, tonic, tincture, extract, tablet and capsule.
Early Americans vowed the power and strength of Echinacea tea to prevent infection. They also used to treat toxic snake bites and insect bites. In the 1800s, Echinacea played an important role in the US Pharmacopoeia, which was considered a potent antibiotic. Later, Echinacea was also used by Germans for many medical purposes. Since its discovery of new antibiotics its use has declined in recent years. However, in recent years, the interest in natural health has dramatically increased, it seems that he faced the Renaissance.
Many scientific researches on echinacea have been conducted, most of them examining the active ingredients of plants and investigating how these act on the human system. The action of Echinacea herbs and tea is believed to result from polysaccharide compounds called fructofuranosides such as heteroxylans, arabinogalactans, alkylamides and echinacosides.
Many of the compounds of Echinacea tea are believed to be useful for stimulating various aspects of the immune system, including macrophage and lymphocyte function. Increased activity of the natural killer cells of the body may increase interferon production and phagocytosis. These studies indicate that they increase the number of leukocytes and enhance the activity of other immune cells.
Indeed, research that seemed to support Echinacea's ability to boost the immune system had been done. In September 2006, researchers led by Dr. Sachin A. Shah of Connecticut University reported that when using Echinacea before the symptoms of the common cold were completely eliminated, the incidence rate was reduced by more than 60% During 2007, Dr. Craig Coleman of the institution conducted a meta-analysis of 1,600 people and discovered that Echinacea could reduce the incidence of colds.
However, in a study published in New England Journal of Medicine in 2005, Echinacea proved to be less effective than placebo in preventing colds. It also did not reduce the harshness of cold symptoms.
Echinacea's effect was not seen in both studies raising funds at the complementary alternative medical center because of a cold in both children and adults. For example, in the 2004 study, it seems that there was rarely a case where 300 mg of echinacea per day was regarded as the first sign of cold to alleviate symptoms or speed up recovery.
However, this can be explained by the fact that there are many existing variables in analyzing Echinacea tea and cold-cold herbs. Different studies focus on different types and intensities of Echinacea herbs, and different parts of plants. Due to these gaps, it is difficult to compare the results, and the most important conclusion comes out. Some formulations may be superior to other formulations. Likewise, herbs and teas can help fight against viruses that cause a cold but do not cause others.
People who have multiple sclerosis, leukocyte disorder, collagen disorder, HIV / AIDS, autoimmune disorder, or tuberculosis while many people pledge the efficacy of Echinacea herbs and tea, they use this. People with plant allergy suffer from steroids and other medicines and herbal remedies, but be careful before taking this. It is also advisable to avoid pregnant and lactating women and children, as well as Echinacea tea and herbs.
Therefore, although the results of various studies are mixed, evidence of evidence conveyed through the center supporting the effectiveness of Echinacea tea and herbs in the fight against colds, coughs, influenza and other infectious diseases It is very difficult to ignore. Ekinacea tea seems to continue reliable family remedies for many people because of cough, cold, flu, infectious diseases, even if health authorities and traditional doctors tolerate it.
