Health & Medical Nutrition

Echinacea Extract - Top 5 Facts

Welcome to the world of echinacea! Here are some facts about this plant: 1.
Echinacea extract falls under the subcategory of daisy.
The plant is indigenous to North America and can be found growing in moist areas throughout the eastern and central parts of the country.
Echinacea is an angiosperm, or flowering plant, and can go without water for extended periods of time.
There are at least nine known species, with all of them being variant types of coneflowers.
2.
The main purpose of echinacea extract is to boost immunity.
People take this, usually orally, as a supplement for better health overall.
Clinical trials have been done to show the effectiveness of echinacea in warding off a cold.
Though it can not cure symptoms, it showed promising results when taken as a preventive measure.
Colds were less severe and significantly shorter in length when it was used at the first signs of disease.
Additionally, scientists may have evidence showing that flu symptoms may also be alleviated and shortened.
The phenol compounds in echinacea are potent enough to assist with immunity.
In order for this to be effective, however, it needs to be taken regularly in the early stages of the cold.
A 'one-hit' approach will not help to keep the immune system in balance.
3.
Another ailment found to be better controlled with echinacea extract is a fungal infection.
This supplement will break down the infection when used with other anti fungal agents.
It has shown to enhance these ingredients and clear the infection in a shorter amount of time.
Also, researchers have provided evidence that this supplement actually weakens the fungal cell walls and helps them to stop from replicating.
4.
Studies are being done to show the link between echinacea extract and reduction in the size of malignant tumors.
Research is continuously conducted to show promising results in the fight against cancer using this supplement.
The main focus of this belief stems from the amount of alkamides found in the flowers.
When ingested, they bind to receptors and help aid in the regulation of the immune system via TNF protein maintenance.
5.
The side effects for this supplement are minimal.
Allergic reactions can occur, mostly in those with a history of plant and flower allergies.
Also, those with auto-immune disorders should consult their physicians prior to using echinacea extract.
This is generally a safe supplement, but dozing instructions should be followed exactly as directed.


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