Echinacea: application of a unique plant in medicine

Probably, many know about Echinacea. But what do you know about the healing properties of this plant? But Echinacea, the application of which is very widespread, among medicinal plants has taken a worthy place. There are many species of this plant, but for medical purposes purple echinacea is more often used .

Echinacea purpurea is a plant-perennial, it comes from North America, having beautiful purple flowers, a specific smell and taste. Today it is cultivated in Ukraine, Russia, CIS countries as an ornamental and medicinal plant.

For therapeutic purposes, flowers, roots and leaves of Echinacea are used.

Echinacea composition and useful properties

Echinacea, the use of which is due to the chemical composition and medicinal properties, has many useful substances for the normal life of our body.

So, immunomodulating properties are caused by the content of biologically active substances in large quantities: polysaccharides, saponins, essential and fatty oils, glycosides, inulin, organic acids (including fatty polyunsaturated), alkaloids, tannins, glucose, resins, phytosterols; Polyenes, which destroy various kinds of fungi; Phenolic acids with antiseptic properties; Betaine, which can prevent the development of stroke and heart attack; Phenolic carboxylic acids, which have diuretic properties and strengthen immunity.

In addition, all parts of the plant contain many minerals, including rare ones, which are often lacking in our diet: potassium, calcium, selenium, manganese, silver, zinc, molybdenum, cobalt, chlorine, vanadium, iron, aluminum, magnesium, Barium, nickel, beryllium.

Echinacea, the use of which we will discuss in more detail below, has anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antifungal, antiseptic, diuretic, anti-allergic, immunomodulating, bactericidal and antirheumatic properties.

Echinacea: use in medicine

This medicinal plant is called "blood purifier", which is very important for us, because this is one of the main components of a healthy body. Echinacea effectively cleanses the blood, lymphatic system, liver and kidneys. It treats not the consequences of the disease, but its root causes. It is very important in this case that the plant has no side effects.

Echinacea and preparations based on it are used for acute and chronic illnesses. The action of such drugs is based on the activation of immunity. And the plant helps both babies with 2-3 years (when their immunity is only developing), and mature and elderly people.

Echinacea is used in case of deterioration of the body's defenses, in diseases with metabolic disorders and endocrine glands, with diseases associated with poisoning with chemicals.

Traditional medicine uses tinctures, decoctions and infusions, prepared from flowers, leaves, roots and stems of echinacea, both in dry form and fresh.

Tincture of echinacea is effective in the treatment of: cystitis, adnexitis, nephritis; Catarrhal and infectious diseases: bronchitis, influenza, acute respiratory viral infection, tonsillitis, herpes, pneumonia (treatment and prevention); Chronic autoimmune diseases (hepatitis, rheumatoid arthritis , etc.); Female diseases (with inflammatory processes); Diseases of the genital area in men (prostatitis, adenoma); To strengthen sexual potency; Stomach ulcers, constipation, gastritis, vasospasms; After a long reception of antibiotics, radiation, chemotherapy or exposure to radiation; To arrest the growth of malignant neoplasms, leukopenia; With wounds, psoriasis, eczema, septic processes, frostbite and burns; Trophic ulcers, purulent deep wounds.

Tincture is prepared as follows: a liter of alcohol 70% or vodka pour 50 grams of dry or 200 g of fresh raw materials (leaves, stems, flowers). 2-3 weeks. Insist in the dark, with periodic shaking. Then filter and take inside 10 days before a meal of 20 cap. Three times a day. Next, a three-day break, after which again repeated a 10-day course of treatment.

Infusions of Echinacea have antiviral and antibacterial effects, they are effective for polyarthritis, herpes, obesity, gynecological disorders, prostatitis.

Receiving the infusion of echinacea improves the quality of the blood, accelerates the healing of wounds, bruises, fractures, increases immunity, strengthens memory, relieves stressful conditions and fatigue, increases memory, efficiency and physical activity, protects against colds, eliminates cravings for tobacco and alcohol, strengthens potency in Any age, heals male and female infertility. In the form of compresses and lotions for psoriasis, burns, eczema, boils and bedsores also help infusion, which has Echinacea.

How to take the infusion and its recipe: 500 g of boiling water pour the table. A spoonful of dry raw materials (leaves, stems and flowers) is left in the thermos for the night. Then filter and drink before meals three times a day for 100-150 grams. Take infusion for 10 days, and after a 5-day break, repeat 2 more 10-day courses. If necessary, repeat the course three times in a month's break.

Decoction of echinacea can cure stomach ulcers, swelling, joint pains, colds and flu, headaches, it improves mood, stimulates appetite, has a restorative effect, brings pressure back to normal and increases vision.

With streptococcal infections, psoriasis and snake bites from the broth make lotions.

The recipe for the decoction of Echinacea: boiling water (200 g) is poured a teaspoon of dried leaves and insisted for 20 minutes in a water bath, filtered and drunk 10 days a third cup before meals three times a day. After a 5-day break, drink another 10 days. The course is repeated at least 3 times after a 5-10-day break.

Juice of fresh inflorescences accelerates blood clotting, and with local external use - accelerates wound healing, heals acne, warts, ulcers, removes pigment spots and freckles. To do this, they are smeared with fresh juice for the night.

Contraindications

Contraindicated echinacea in pregnancy and lactation, children under 2 years of age, with leukemia, allergies, multiple sclerosis, systemic lupus erythematosus, AIDS, progressive tuberculosis and individual intolerance. It is not recommended to take this plant for more than 10 days in a row.