With winter not too far away now is the time to build up the immune system and resistance to the inevitable ills and chills. One of the most popular plants employed by herbalists to boost the immune system is Echinacea.
Commonly known as 'coneflower', Echinacea is one of the most medicinal of all the herbs, and has been used since early times as a blood purifier and to help build up resistance to infection. Mexican Indians used to bind its leaves around wounds to promote healing, to prevent infection and to stop pain, while American Indians used it as a snakebite remedy.
It has a long history of herbal use as an immuno-stimulant and natural antitoxin. Although how or how much of this herb stimulates the immune system is still undetermined. Modern scientific research also appears to support its immune building properties, along with its ability to act as an external antiseptic.
Used internally, it is said to help prevent and ease influenza and to reduce the frequency and severity of attacks of herpes simplex, and when used as an external antiseptic it will help slow healing wounds. The juice from the fresh flowers can also be used externally to treat bacterial infections.
This attractive perennial herb can be grown in most home gardens. It has beautiful purple petals that radiate from a dark cone-shaped centre, and it somewhat resembles the commonly grown black-eyed Susan. It is the seed, from its cone-shaped centre, which are used in a herbal tea for treating all sorts of infections, fevers and bites.
Echinacea is available from health food stores in tablet or capsule form, or as a herbal tea, and may be taken internally as a botanical antibiotic. Its reputation for stimulating the immune system makes it an excellent tonic for treating coughs, colds, flu and other infections, as well as for easing allergies.
Many herbalists now recommend a daily preventive dose of this herb be taken to enhance the immune system and lessen the chance of catching colds and flu. However, follow the directions on the tablets, capsules or tea, or as directed by your health practitioner.
When winter arrives, despite your best efforts, you still suffer the miseries of cold and flu, you may find that Echinacea is the perfect natural choice to help alleviate the symptoms. To make your own Echinacea herbal tea, steep one teaspoon of the dried seeds in a cup of boiling water for 10 minutes. Strain, reheat, sweeten with honey if desired, and drink as hot as possible three to four times daily when suffering from cold or flu; or drink a cup of the tea, morning and night, as a preventive.
