Echinacea • presence, composition and method of use

Echinacea herb is an antibiotic and antiseptic of natural origin. Often used during exacerbation of seasonal diseases.

How to take Echinacea for children
Echinacea during pregnancy
How to make echinacea tincture
How to brew echinacea tea
How to take Echinacea tablets
How to take echinacea for a cold
How to drink echinacea for prevention
How to drink echinacea to boost immunity

What is Echinacea?

Echinacea is a natural drug that belongs to the group of plants from the Asteraceae family.
It has anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and immunostimulating effects. Stimulates cerebral hematopoiesis, resulting in an increase in the number of leukocytes and cells of the reticuloendothelial system of the spleen. Increases nonspecific resistance of the body. They say that all diseases are caused by nerves. There is a relationship between emotions and the immune system. Today it has been proven that the mechanisms occurring in the nervous tissue are triggered by the immune system, and not vice versa. For example, chronic infections cause chronic depression. Then a vicious circle arises - immune disorders are triggered by stress and depress mood, stress suppresses the immune system. And here the natural herbal preparation Echinacea comes to our aid.

Adverse reactions

In some cases, side effects are possible:

stomach upset;
increased fatigue, dizziness;
high body temperature;
skin rash.

Long-term side effects such as liver disease and a weakened immune system are also possible. Such effects may occur if you do not follow the instructions.

Pregnant and breastfeeding women, as well as those with pollen allergies, should take with caution.

special instructions

Patients with diabetes should take into account that one tablet of the drug contains about 0.29 g of carbohydrates.
Since the tincture contains ethanol, it is not recommended to take it while driving or when working with dangerous mechanisms. In this case, you need to give preference to tablets.
The use of tablets during pregnancy and breastfeeding is possible if it does not harm the baby, and only after consulting a doctor. The tincture is not recommended due to its ethanol content.
Echinacea is not used for children under 12 years of age.

Indications for use

Echinacea has a wide range of uses. The medicine can be used to treat various diseases and for their prevention. The drug is often used as part of complex treatment.

Also, echinacea monopreparations are effective in the following cases:

metabolic problems and related diseases (diabetes mellitus, liver disease);
stress and depression;
inflammatory processes;
infectious diseases;
female and male infertility (complex treatment);
after surgery and prolonged use of antibiotics;
problems with potency;
skin lesions.

How to take Echinacea for children

Pediatricians often advise parents to give echinacea to ease the course of the child’s illness and reduce the duration of the illness. It is effective for runny nose, flu and colds. Only a doctor can determine the appropriate dose. Even a harmless decoction or tea can harm a child if self-medicated. Echinacea in syrup form is best for babies. The treatment regimen is as follows:

Up to 2 years – 1 tsp. a glass of water 2 times a day;
3-5 years – 2 tsp. 250 ml of water 2 times a day;
5-15 years – 1 tbsp. l. per day (does not need to be diluted with water).

Note!

The description of the drug Echinacea on this page is a simplified author’s version of the apteka911 website, created on the basis of the instructions for use.
Before purchasing or using the drug, you should consult your doctor and read the manufacturer's original instructions (attached to each package of the drug). Information about the drug is provided for informational purposes only and should not be used as a guide to self-medication. Only a doctor can decide to prescribe the drug, as well as determine the dose and methods of its use.

How to make echinacea tincture

Pharmacy echinacea contains alcohol, so it can only be given to adults. In practice, you can give it to a teenager from 12 years old, after diluting 1/3 of the tincture with 2/3 of water. A teenager can be given no more than 10 diluted drops per day. The duration of the treatment course is no more than 60 days.

To prepare your own tincture, you will need to pour fresh flowers or crushed roots with 70% alcohol in a ratio of 1 to 4. Leave to infuse in a dark place for 4 weeks.

Contraindications and harm

Contraindications for Echinacea tincture:

increased arterial and intracranial pressure;
suffered a stroke;
brain injuries and concussions;
pregnancy and breastfeeding;
blood cancer;
multiple sclerosis;
defeat by tuberculosis bacillus;
liver diseases;
alcoholism.

Echinacea tincture for children is used from the age of 12 years.

People whose work requires concentration: drivers, pilots, operators of high-precision and traumatic equipment should take the drug with caution.

The medicine may cause an individual reaction in the body if there is intolerance to Echinacea purpurea and other plants from the Asteraceae family:

pain in the stomach;
nausea;
stool disorders;
headache;
irritation and dry eyes.
sore throat.
itching

Side effects of Echinacea tincture are a signal to discontinue the drug.

Signs of overdose

The dosage of Echinacea tincture must be strictly observed throughout the entire course of treatment. Monitor how you feel during your appointment. If the following signs appear, consultation with a specialist is necessary:

headache;
blood pressure surges;
sleep disorders;
increased sweating.

In case of poisoning, use a sorbent; in case of an allergic reaction, take an antihistamine.

Incompatibility of use

The use of echinacea tincture with other drugs is not always possible. The medication is incompatible with the following medications:

immunosuppressants;
glucocorticosteroids;
cytokines.

When taken together with tincture and drugs with cephalosporin derivatives or drugs with ethanol, rapid heartbeat, sweating, nausea, and headache may develop.

How to drink echinacea for prevention

If you follow the instructions and do not exceed the prescribed dosage, the tablets can be a good prevention of colds and flu. For preventive purposes, Echinacea should be taken as follows:

4-6 years – 1 tablet 2 times a day;
6-12 years – 1 tablet 3 times a day;
From 12 years – 2 tablets twice a day.

You need to take the drug for a week, then take a break for 48 hours and resume taking it again. The duration of the entire preventive course is 30-45 days.

How to take Echinacea tablets

Medicine in tablet form is the most common type, especially for children. This is a homeopathic medicine that can be taken from 4 years of age. Children under 12 years of age can be given 1 tablet 3 times a day. A child over 12 years of age and an adult are prescribed 2 tablets three times a day. You need to take the tablet with enough water. The medicine is also available in the form of lozenges. They do not need to be washed down with water, but rather kept in your mouth for as long as possible.

What does Echinacea tincture help with?

The drug is used to combat various ailments:

viral infections;
cough;
toothache and gum disease;
inflammation of the oral mucosa;
skin lesions (bedsores, acne, lesions, dermatitis, pustular diseases);
lowering blood cholesterol, reducing the risk of strokes;
low blood pressure, dizziness;
heart diseases;
diseases of the lymphatic system;
decreased energy, constant drowsiness;
chronic fatigue, fatigue;
premature aging, the drug can reduce the rate of death of cells and tissues of the body;
accumulation of toxins and general intoxication of the body;
disturbance of intestinal microflora;
herpetic infection;
fractures and bone injuries, thanks to the intake, tissue regeneration processes are activated;
urinary tract infections;
female gynecological diseases.

How it will help men

Echinacea purpurea tincture for men is used for inflammatory diseases - urethritis, prostatitis, cystitis, inflammation of the genitourinary system and sexually transmitted diseases.

Echinacea solution is used as an additional remedy to the main treatment.

Benefits for women

Echinacea tincture for women is used in the treatment of gynecological diseases. A course of using a tampon soaked in an aqueous extract of Echinacea is often prescribed.

The medicine is used to get rid of cervical erosion and adnexitis. As a rule, 2 treatment methods are combined:

Take 25 drops orally 3 times a day.
Dilute with water in a 1:1 ratio. Wet the tampon. Administered orally at night.

The course of therapy is 2-3 weeks. The exact regimen is prescribed by the attending physician. The drug relieves inflammation and normalizes hormonal levels.

Echinacea tincture is contraindicated during pregnancy and breastfeeding. It is better to wait until the baby is born and the lactation period is completed before using any medications.

Indications for the use of Echinacea tincture are not the only argument for starting to take the drug; consultation with a therapist and attending physician is required.

Composition, effect on the body

The benefits of echinacea tincture are strengthening the body's defenses and normalizing metabolic processes. Preparations based on the plant increase resistance in the fight against respiratory diseases and activate the immune system. It has been scientifically proven that the active substance increases the activity of T-lymphocytes.

The composition of echinacea tincture includes an extensive list of components:

polysaccharides;
macro- and microelements;
vitamins of groups A, E, C;
betaine;
inulin;
glucose;
flavonoids;
echinacin;
hydroxycinnamic acids;
essential oils.

Release form

Liquid forms of preparations with Echinacea are available in several modifications:

solution;
extract;
tincture.

Each option has similar pharmacological effects, but has a different concentration of the natural component.

How to take echinacea for a cold

Echinacea purpurea is effective for colds. Even if a person has already caught a cold, you can take a herbal tincture to alleviate the condition. Echinacea kills germs, helps with high body temperature, and prevents the proliferation of harmful microorganisms.

To eliminate symptoms, you need to take medicinal tea. It will take 1 tsp. crushed herbs, pour 0.5 liters of hot water and leave to infuse for 45 minutes. You need to drink 250 ml of this tea 3 times a day.

Echinacea tincture: what it helps with and how to take it correctly