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Echinacea has become one of the most popular herbal remedies in the world. Echinacea is a natural antibiotic and infection fighter against bacteria, viruses, fungi and other disease causing microbes. It acts by stimulating various immune system cells that are key weapons against infection. This herb boosts the cells production of a virus fighting substance called interferon. Because interferon is short lived in the body, it is administered a frequent intervals - like every couple of hours during acute infections.
Echinacea can help prevent the two most common viral ailments (colds and flu). It is most effective when taken at the first hint of illness, because the symptoms are less severe and subside sooner. It is also useful to reduce aches, pains, and congestion.
Echinaca may be useful for recurring ailments wuch as vaginal yeast, urinary tract and middle ear infections. It is also sometimes used to treat strep throat, staph infections, herpes infoections (including genital herpes, cold sores, and shingles), bronchitis, and sinus infections. It is being studied as a possible treatment for chronic fatigue syndrome, AIDS, and some types of cancer (especially in people that have a depressed immune system due to radiation and/or chemotherapy).
Echinacea can be applied to the skin to promote healing of wounds, boils, abscesses, eczema, burns, canker or cold sores, and bedsores.
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