| Echinacea appearance: a black-eyed
Susan, echinacea or purple coneflower Origin
of Echinacea Naturally grown in the central plains, along prairies,
roadsides, fields, and in wooded areas, the plant is deemed
a North American perennial.
The history of Echinacea: The plant herb is
documented in scientific journals as far back as the early 1900's
Alias: is also called snake root because it
grows from a thick black root that Indians used to treat snake
bites.
How native Indians used Echinacea: Aside from
being used to treat poisonous snake and insect bites, the Plains
Indians used the plant to quell toothaches, wounds, smallpox,
mumps, sore throat and measles.
Parts of Echinacea forms: Dried, liquid extract,
juice and root,
Combinations of uses: Vitamin C. Goldenseal.
Herbalists opinion on Echinacea: In the opinion
of several herbalists, it is considered an efficacious natural
antibiotic coupled with the leading blood purifier.
The way Echinacea works: It stimulates the
body's immune system by helping in the production of defensive
bearing enzymes.
Popular uses/medical conditions: Used as a
preventative and defense mechanism against the common cold.
Also, it is used to alleviate the symptoms associated with hay
fever.
Compound and elements of Echinacea: polysaccharides,
essential oil, polyacetylenes, glycoside, caryophylene and sesquiterpenes.
Additionally, the plant naturally contains iron, fatty acids,
protein, tannins, copper as well as vitamins E, C, and A,.
Previous trials of Echinacea: -- have concentrated
on the immune –stimulus agents of the plant.
Recent clinical trials: Studies have found
Echinacea to augment the migration of white blood cells ability
to counter toxins as well as foreign microorganisms in the bloodstream
Future clinical trials: are studying the efficacy
of Echinacea's role in the blood to defend against cells.
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