Echinacea is a flowering plant that has been used as a medicine for centuries. Its leaves, stems, flowers, and roots are used to make supplements, liquid extracts, and teas. At present, it has been known for multiple uses and benefits — from combating cancer to alleviating pain.
Here are some of the well-known detailed benefits of taking Echinacea.
It’s A Potent Immune Booster
With health-boosting properties that are known for centuries, research has shown that echinacea can cut a cold’s duration by as much as a day and a half. There were even studies showing that it could reduce our chances of getting a cold by 58 percent.
A Natural Form Of Pain Relief
Experts have found that echinacea tea or extracts possess anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce oral pain, sore throats, and even UTIs. It can set off a cell secretion called a cytokine, which in turn is responsible for reducing inflammation.
In a 30-day study, adults with osteoarthritis found that taking a supplement containing echinacea extract significantly reduced inflammation, chronic pain, and swelling.
Moreover, Echinacea has been found to be especially effective pain reliever for pains associated with headaches, measles, gonorrhea, and herpes, as well as tonsillitis, toothaches, sore throats, and stomach ache.
Reduce Feelings Of Anxiety
Echinacea plants contain compounds that may reduce feelings of anxiety. These include alkamides, rosmarinic acid, and caffeic acid. A study found that Echinacea Angustifolia extracts rapidly reduced feelings of anxiety in both mice and humans.
May Help Combat Cancer
In a research published by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), researchers state that Echinacea contains the medicinal value of phytochemicals that are clearly evident and indicates that these agents, as well as phytochemicals not yet discovered in other herbs, may be valuable tools to combat tumors.
Has Powerful Skin-Boosting Properties
Echinacea is great for skincare as it is known to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiseptic properties. Using it may help increase the appearance of collagen in our skin.
Relieves Upper Respiratory Issues
Echinacea possesses immune-boosting and anti-inflammatory effects. Because of these, research indicates that it may work to improve the various upper respiratory problems including asthma, common colds, acute sinusitis, strep throat, and tuberculosis.
