Alternative Health and Healing

Echinacea (echinacea angustifolia) alsocalled purple cone flower

It is a popularantiviral herb. It contains caffeic acid, chicoric acid and echinacin,compounds with specific antiviral activity. It is also an immune systemstimulant that helps the body to defend itself against viral infections. It isgreat to treat sinus infections, tonsillitis, cold and flu. Also used forurinary tract infection and AIDS therapy, stimulates the body's defensesagainst disease. The tincture makes a good mouthwash to treat gum disease aswell as wash for wounds, insect bites and stings.

Caution:

High dose may causenausea and dizziness. Avoid if you're allergic to ragweed or if you havemultiple sclerosis, tuberculosis or HIV infection. It is contraindicated inautoimmune diseases such as Lupus. Use only for short time treatments, takenfor more than 2-3 weeks can cause liver toxicity. It should not be used withdrugs known to elevate liver enzymes. Children under 2 and the elderly shouldnot use this herb. Taken with the blood thinner Coumadin also known as Warfarincan increase bleeding time without an increased INR. It can counteract immuno-suppressantdrugs as well. It might interfere with embrional angiogenesis altering fetaldevelopment. Do not take it during pregnancy. Do not use it with Tylenol andthe herbs Willow and Meadowsweet. Echinacea may cause inflammation of the liverif used with medications such as anabolic steroids, methotrexate.