Echinacea – The Little “Coneflower” Gets Praise For Healing
Echinacea is a widely used herb, known for it’s medicinal qualities and it’s use in many natural healing home remedies. Methods include burning, tinctures, washes and mixtures. It is commonly called Coneflower, and the old Folk name for Echinacea was Black Sampson.
From the roots, many remedies are taken for their almost magical effects. Some of Echinacea’s natural healing properties, by preserving the white blood cells, as well as medicinal characteristics, are employed when it is used as a blood purifier and stimulant, when the blood stream becomes infected. For years it has been used to kill disease causing viruses and bacteria. It also makes an excellent pain reliever, detoxifier, and a powerful deodorant when dealing with bad odors from an infected patient’s illness. It is hailed for it’s wound healing properties. It has even been touted as an antibiotic, as Echinacea strongly boosts the immune system, fighting infection and healing wounds.
As a home remedy, Echinacea has even seen praise, when mixed with other herbs, as a mouthwash and to help with bleeding gums. As a natural healing method, Native Americans used it for snakebites and insect stings, though one is cautioned to seek immediate medical care in this instance. They also relied on Echinacea to help with cough, headache, sore throat, and as an analgesic. These are just a few of its many healing properties.
Echinacea has been used to treat yeast infections and actually prevent further cases of. It has been used for generations to help with the common cold, and studies have shown it can significantly shorten the duration of the cold, reduces symptoms, and possibly the chances of catching a cold at all, when taken at the beginning of the symptoms.
If used to treat the common cold at home, it is recommended, as stated above, to take at the onset of the cold. It is also recommended to take it every two to four hours, even at night, as Echinacea works best at a steady dose. It should be used until the symptoms of the cold are gone. It has also been suggested that it can have the same healing affects for the flu.
For someone wanting to try Echinacea at home, it is easily found at drug stores, health food stores and variety stores. It is recommended that you take it with food and a full glass of water. Also consult your doctor if symptoms are not better two weeks after starting Echinacea. And of course, ask your doctor about Echinacea if you are taking any other medications.
