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What is echinacea good for? You might have heard about this herb supplement and wondered about its health benefits.
Echinacea is the name of a group of flowering plants that belongs to the daisy family. Echinacea purpurea, Echinacea angustifolia and Echinacea pallida are the three main herbs used in herbal supplements.
This herb is available in powder form, capsules, tablets, extracts and teas. Echinacea is known to contain several naturally occurring compounds, like caffeic acid, alkamides, phenolic acids, rosmarinic acid and polyacetylenes.
In this article, we explore what is echinacea good for along with its suggested uses and safety.
What is echinacea used for?
Echinacea is one of the most popular herbs in the United States. In ancient times, people used echinacea to treat scarlet fever, syphilis, malaria, blood poisoning and diphtheria.
It's available as a dietary supplement to manage common colds and throat infections. It's believed that echinacea stimulates the immune system.
What is echinacea good for other than immune system?
Three species of echinacea are commonly used: Echinacea angustifolia, Echinacea pallida, and Echinacea purpurea.
Many products contain one, two or all three of these species. Their effectiveness may differ from one product to another. It's available in extracts, tinctures, tablets, capsules and ointments.
It's also used to treat urinary bladder infections. After knowing what is echinacea good for, we shall now look into some of the main health benefits this herb might offer.
Health benefits of echinacea
As we already know what is echinacea good for, let's look at some of the other health aspects of this herb:
Rich in antioxidants
Also called purple coneflower, its' a rich source of antioxidant compounds. It's used to treat pain, inflammation, migraines and other health issues. This herb contains a variety of active compounds, like caffeic acid, alkamides, phenolic acids, rosmarinic acid and polyacetylenes.
Studies looking for what is echinacea good for have found mixed results. Cichoric acid and rosmarinic acid are already known for their beneficial properties. Alkamides enhance the antioxidant activity of the herb. These compounds protect the body from oxidative damage caused by free radicals.
A review published in the journal Complementary Therapies in Medicine found that echinacea can reduce risk of developing an upper respiratory tract infection by up to 22%.
May lower blood glucose level
In a research study published in the Journal of Medicinal Food, it was found that Echinacea purpurea extract suppresses enzymes that digest carbohydrates.
That can be beneficial in the reversal of insulin resistance in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The effects of echinacea are being studied to understand its potency. Although we know what is echinacea good for, more research is needed to find out the biochemical aspects of this popular herb.
Potential side effects of echinacea
The most common side effects include digestive issues and skin rashes along with nausea, dizziness and dry eyes.
It's considered relatively safe to consume in the suggested doses. People with allergies to plants in the daisy family should not take echinacea, though. Although we know what is echinacea good for, it's best to take it in the prescribed amount and consult a nutritionist before use. Improper or high doses can cause issues.
People on immunosuppressant medications and pregnant and breastfeeding women are advised against echinacea consumption due to safety concerns. If in doubt, always consult your doctor before using echinacea.
Indranil Biswas is a nutritionist and personal trainer with a diploma in dietetics and personal training with a specialization in sports nutrition and strength training.
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