What is Echinacea? Healing with Echinacea

Echinacea fights infections in a couple different ways. First by increasing the strength and amount of phagocytes (immune cells) your body produces by 30%. Phagocytes are the white blood cells that absorb bacteria and virus-infected cells and clear them from the body. Echinacea also contains a natural antibiotic that weakens germs ability to invade cells. Because of this, echinacea has gained the reputation of being a "blood purifier".

When taken at the first sign, frequent doses of echinacea can shorten the duration of the common cold. Sometimes, it can even prevent it altogether. It's also been used to treat strep throat, urinary tract infections, bronchitis, tonsillitis, and ear infections. To treat pink eye, make a weak tea and use it as an eye wash.

Echinacea Purpurea is used to not only cure yeast infections, but also to prevent reoccurring infections. Recently a German study found that by treating a yeast infection with both topical cream and echinacea supplements, you can lower the chance of a reoccurring yeast infection by 70%. It can also be useful in treating athlete's feet, thrush and other fungal infections.

Echinacea doesn't just kill the germs in your body. It actually stimulates your body to produce more germ fighting cells so that your body can fight off the germs itself. It also helps strengthen the "protective gel" that surrounds your body's cells, making it harder for germs to invade and infect the cell.

For a stronger immune system, echinacea should be taken internally for a 10 day period once every month.

Echinacea contains two compounds that help with numerous skin conditions. Echinacoside is a natural antibiotic, and echinacein helps to stimulate cell repair and growth. Numerous studies have found echinacea useful for treating cold sores, boils, acne, psoriasis, and herpes. It also has been shown to ease sunburns, infected eczema and skin irritations from poison ivy, oak and sumac.

When used on open sores, echinacea can prevent infection from occurring and also speed up the healing process. With continued use, it can help lessen the appearance of scars.

To use externally, apply an echinacea poultice or salve to the affected area.

• Echinacea is not acute acting. It needs to be taken in regular doses over a period of time to be effective.


• If taken for longer than 8 weeks at a time, echinacea can weaken your body's immune system.


• Do not use if you're allergic to sunflowers or daisies.


• Do not use if you have diabetes, multiple sclerosis, tuberculosis, leukemia, connective tissue disorders, HIV or AIDS, any autoimmune diseases, or a liver disorder.

Echinacea works great as an ingredient in most home remedies. Drinking either echinacea tea or echinacea and goldenseal tincture will help cure any ailment, inside or out. For skin problems such as athlete's feet, acne, boils, eczema or psoriasis, you can easily incorporate echinacea into a salve, oil or wash.