Echinacea

Echinacea is a plant that is native to North Eastern America. You will find, almost all the parts of Echinacea used for varied purposes by the herbal medicine makers. It was the native Indians who discovered the remedial properties of the Echinacea. By the early twentieth century, the medicinal effects of Echinacea started spreading to Europe and the rest of America. Echinacea became more widely used.

Echinacea seeds, leaves and root are squeezed and are made into Echinacea liquid or juice. There are also people who prepare Echinacea tea with the leaves of Echinacea. Echinacea is supposed to safeguard people from cold. There is also an extract of Echinacea stem which is used as Echinacea tincture. However, there is an ongoing research on the benefits of Echinacea. Two NCCAM funded evaluations were carried out to identify the properties of Echinacea that affect and build human immune system. Echinacea facts that were brought out by this research include the following: Echinacea does not have any known effect on cold in children or in adults. All the varieties of Echinacea have been tried out and none of them were found to have any impact; whereas, they were found to have possible positive effect in reducing respiratory infections.

Echinacea side effects are more noticeable in those people who are allergic to daisy kind of plants. Normally, Echinacea is not allergic if taken orally. However, for some people, they are reactive. They get skin irritations, increased asthmatic and allergic reactions. In case of Echinacea overdose which can happen when multiple drugs are used, the victim needs to be attended to immediately. If unattended, in some cases, this can be fatal. Echinacea overdose antidote will be prescribed depending on the cause of the overdose. In most cases, Echinacea overdose occurs only when used with such drugs as steroids, etc. Depending on the other drug, the Echinacea overdose treatment may vary.

There are nine species of Echinacea which are grown. Echinacea purpurea is the most commonly used species in the field. Though commercially grown Echinacea is limited, this species is normally known as the Echinacea 'Green Envy'. Bulk seeds of Echinacea have been found to be commercially successful because of high demand in the herbal market. Echinacea Knee High and the more successful species, Echinacea 'Kim's Mop Head' are the most common ones you will find hobbyists growing and also available in the market. Most of the Echinacea are found in hobbyists gardens as much as in the farm.