The reputation of Echinacea in natural and preventive medicine is well established. It is recommended in all the books and by all the practitioners to boost the immune defenses at the approach of the winter and in the cases of epidemic. Did you know that Native Americans originally used Echinacea to heal wounds and to relieve headaches and stomach aches? Discover in detail the benefits of Echinacea, the immunity booster plant.
Echinacée, un peu de botanique
The echinacea, echinacea purpurea by its Latin botanical name, is a plant in the Asteraceae family. It is also called purple echinacea, purple rudbeckia.
It is anherbaceous that can grow up to 1 m tall and grows spontaneously in the plains of the east-central United States, from Ohio to Iowa and Georgia. However, it is easily cultivated in our European gardens of temperate climate.
"Its erect stems bear broad, toothed leaves and large, solitary flower heads with a prominent heart of dark purple tubular flowers, surrounded by a crown of often drooping pink ligules. The roots leave a tingling sensation on the tongue. " (1)
Principes biochimiques de l'échinacée
Echinacea contains many constituents, the main ones being:
polysaccharides
aromatic essence
indolizidine alkaloids
phenols including alkylamides.
Propriétés thérapeutiques de l'échinacée
Nowadays, echinacea is used in form of decoction and mother tincture made from the roots. Orally, it stimulates the body's immune defenses during bacterial and viral attacks. It is all recommended for preventing flu-like illness as well as cold.
The alkylamides (phenols) stated above would have natural antibiotic properties without the drawbacks of synthetic antibiotics that wash away all forms of microbial life in their path including the famous gut microbiota... As a reminder, the latter is important in the immune response. It is the principle of the snake biting its own tail...
Echinacea mother tincture diluted in a little water and taken as a gargle relieves sore throats (laryngitis, strep throat...) and oral ailments (mouth ulcers, gingivitis, thrush, geography map tongue, cavities, abscesses...).
Finally, applied to the skin, Echinacea calms skin conditions such as eczema or acne by preventing superinfection and promoting healing.
La teinture mère, qu'est-ce que c'est ?
In herbal medicine, the mother tincture is commonly used and also serves as the dilution base from which homeopathic remedies will be created. This preparation is the result of a hydro-alcoholic solution. It is also called alcohol. It is thus a mixture between fresh plants and alcohol.
The manufacturing process is as follows:.
Maceration of the fresh plant in pure alcohol (between 60 and 95°) for 3 weeks.
Regular blending to extract the active ingredients of the plant.
Filtration
Tinted glass bottling.
This whole process is rigorously controlled and verified by the major authorities because these are pharmacological remedies that end up listed and certified. The National Agency for the Safety of Medicines (ANSM) supervises the controls.
Conseil d'utilisation de la teinture mère d'échinacée
Like all natural remedies, the Echinacea mother tincture should be taken as a course of treatment with therapeutic windows of rest. The idea is to help the body maintain internal balance (homeostasis)not act in its place.
Adults:
3 x 20 to 30 drops per day in a little water or even directly under the tongue for a faster effect.
Children:
2-6 years: 3 x 5 to 10 drops per day.
6-12 years: 3 x 10 to 15 drops per day.
Take with a little water.
It is still best to see your therapist for the exact dosage.
Précaution d'emploi de la teinture mère d'Echinacée
The use of echinacea may prove toxic to people with autoimmune diseases or on immunosuppressive therapy.
In addition, it is important to remember that for optimal effectiveness, it is advisable to consult a.e naturopath who will know how to personalize your cure all the more so if you are under allopathic treatment, homeopathic and / or under food supplement. Plants although they are natural, are not without danger!
Source: (1) Le Petit Larousse des plantes qui guérissent, ed. Larousse.