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Echinacea, a Very Effective Immune System Booster | Best-Selling Herbal Remedy

By Viola Woolcott

Research has shown Echinacea to be effective in giving the immune system a boost and that among other actions it promotes an increase in interferons, which are the proteins that control the immune functions to keep the body balanced.

Being one of the best-selling herbal remedies in Europe and America, Echinacea continues to gain recognition as well as popularity as being safe and an effective immune system booster.

Echinacea works towards improving the efficiency with which the immune system identifies infectious particles and then destroys them. Reducing the time to fight infections off, it is best to take it at the onset of the signs experienced to limit the severity. Even over a long period of time Echinacea can be taken daily to increase the body’s resistance and therefore reducing the likelihood of falling ill. Although taken as a preventative, it should not be taken continually.

The herb works well for both bacterial and viral infections and is best known for its immune enhancing ability, it has also proven very effective in many other areas. During the cold and flu season it is especially popular.

Echinacea may be used both internally as well as externally. It has shown the ability to improve the process of wound healing (around the wound), for cuts, burns, ulcers, stings, infected and superficial wounds that appear to heal very slow.

>> Colds, coughs, flu - other upper respiratory conditions
>> Enlarged lymph glands
>> Sore throat
>> Urinary tract infections
>> Other minor infections
>> May help combat fungal infections – herpes, thrush and candida
>> Wounds, skin regeneration and skin infections - external use
>> Psoriasis, eczema and inflammatory skin conditions - external use
>> Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)
>> Shingles
>> Ringworm
>> Gingivitis
>> Canker sores
>> Recurrent ear infections

There are some researchers that believe that Echinacea worsen these immune system problems. It is generally not recommended for people with diseases of the immune system such as HIV, multiple sclerosis, or tuberculosis to take Echinacea.

Parting Thoughts:
These three varieties boost the immune system and fight infections:
Echinacea purpurea - Echinacea pallida - Echinacea angustifolia

Filed under: Health and Diet on November 30th, 2007