Echinacea Monologue

Now that it is getting chillier, and there is a nasty flu going around the world this year, it is a good time to start using Echinacea.

If you catch the beginning stages of a sore throat, a cold, the flu, or an upper respiratory infection, Echinacea can help before it gets too far. Combining it with other herbs like Goldenseal, Osha, Usnea, and Calendula can help – and don’t forget your 'kitchen herbs' such as lemon, ginger, garlic, rosemary, horseradish and cayenne. Get some rest, drink hot tea and soups, and cut down on dairy products – they create more phlegm.

Echinacea helps to prevent colds and flu when everyone around you seems to be sick. You can take as needed during the winter to keep your immune system strong - best if combined with regular routine of Vitamin C and Zinc.

Even if you don't start taking Echinacea at the first sign of illness, this herb can shorten the severity and duration of many common illnesses. By taking the herb you can decrease the amount of time you suffer, and rid your body of the germs and sick bodily fluids quickly.

Read the literature available to you, and most importantly, if you're really sick, go to a doctor or licensed practitioner, You should never self medicate if you don’t know what you are doing, and if you think you have something more serious than the cold or flu. Evaluate your symptoms on a regular basis. If your symptoms remain after a week or so, your condition may be more complex may require other herbs or treatment programs by your physician.

After you start feeling better, don't stop taking Echinacea, gradually decrease your dosage over several days.


Dosage:

As an immune system stimulant, Echinacea is best taken for a specific period of time. At the onset of a cold, it can be taken three to four times per day for ten to fourteen days. To prevent a cold, many people take Echinacea tablets or capsules three times per day for six to eight weeks. A "rest" period is recommended after this, as Echinacea’s effects may diminish if used longer. If preferred, powdered Echinacea, in about 900 mg amounts, can be taken. Liquid extracts are typically taken as 3-4 ml, three times per day.
Dried root: (or as tea): 1-2 grams
Freeze dried plant: 325-650 milligrams
Tincture: A 1992 German study showed that 180 drops of an Echinacea root extract significantly reduced the severity and duration of flu-like infections, "whereas 90 drops was no more effective than a placebo." (Herbalgram #30 supplement, 1992)

Follow label instructions, be sure to take enough, and take it on a regular basis. The proper choice of herbs and consistency of your treatment plan is imperative to success with home remedies.

Forms:

Tincture: Most potent form, can easily be made into teas, or mixed into beverages. Widely available in the US and Europe.

Dried powder: less potent, but very effective if fresh, and taking regularly. Can be bought at most health food stores and made into capsules. I use this form when making my own combination formulas.

Pre-made capsules: Usually the dried herb, and tightly regulated by the manufacturer for both potency and dosage. Read instructions carefully, not all pills are alike, and your regular dose of one brand, may not be for another.
* I have found that Nature Made now makes a gel capsule with an oil-based (vitamin E) tincture. This is a wonderful thing! This is also available in a Goldenseal/Echinacea combo. These offer a very convenient and potent option.

Topical: The topical use of Echinacea is widespread in Europe, but it is only slowly catching on here. It is thought to repair sun damaged skin, in addition to wounds and sores.
Echinacea creams and ointments are available at natural food stores, or you can make a poultice from powdered cosmetic clay and Echinacea tincture. Mix until it's clay-like, then apply it to boils, poison oak, insect bites, or sunburns.

Safety & Cautions:
Some say Echinacea should never be taken for more than a few days as it is an immune stimulant, not a tonic, and is not effective over long periods of time. But other researchers only caution against using for more than 8 weeks at a time, due to the fact that long term use may cause immune depression.
Echinacea is essentially nontoxic when taken orally. People should not take Echinacea without consulting a physician if they have an autoimmune illness, such as lupus, or other progressive diseases, such as tuberculosis or multiple sclerosis. It can be dangerous for people with weakened immune systems or chronic ailments,

There are no known contra-indications to the use of Echinacea during pregnancy or lactation.

Those who are allergic to flowers of the daisy family should take Echinacea with caution; it can cause allergic reactions in some people.


Buying Echinacea:

Freshness is the most important aspect of an herb. Store bought capsules can be quite old, minimizing their results, look for fresh root tincture in natural food stores, and pharmacies. Tinctures are a much more potent form of any herb, most are concentrated extracts in an alcohol base, but non-alcoholic is available . Keep in mind that these tinctures will not retain freshness very long, due to lack of preservation, the best form of a non-alcoholic tincture I have found is in a base of Reishi Mushroom broth – this fungi has a natural preservation quality in addition to added health benefits (another miracle of nature in itself!) When you buy dried root for homemade remedies (see the recipes later in this article), check its freshness by tasting a piece: it should leave a bitter and numbing sensation on your tongue.

Recipes:

Following are several recipes for remedies you can make at home.

Sore Throat Comfort
Mix 2 droppers of Echinacea tincture in 1/2 cup warm water. Gargle with it two or three times daily.
For a children's tonic, mix 1/2 dropper of tincture with grape or cranberry juice to improve the taste and provide some nutrients.
You can also add a little sea salt to the gargle for added cleansing power.


Echinacea blend Tea
Combine 4 TB of these ingredients in a non-metal container:
* Echinacea root
* Grated ginger root
Add 1 TB of these ingredients:
* Licorice root
* Orange/lemon peel or slices

The extra ingredients make this tea taste good, plus they have an added effect: ginger is an expectorant; licorice soothes your throat and the citrus is antiseptic, antibacterial, and rich in bioflavonoids which help boost your immune system.

- Steep as you would a normal tea with boiling water for 5-10 minutes in a covered pot.
- Drink 3 hot cups per day until your symptoms improve or anytime you want to boost your immune system.



Photo by
Ralf Pätzold, Berlin