What are the Benefits of Echinacea?

Echinacea is a popular herbal supplement that many in the natural wellness community tout as a miracle prevention for many illnesses including colds, flus, viruses and a whole other list of common ailments. Echinacea, also known as goldenseal, is a native wildflower found in North America. There are many benefits of echinacea and it has been used for many centuries to treat a wide range of illnesses.

As far back as history reveals, echinacea has been in use in medicinal practices by Native Americans. In the mid-18th century, Western physicians began using echinacea to treat pain and fevers, as an astringent for wounds and to clear up allergic reactions to insect and snake bites. The availability of echinacea and the ease in using it in many forms made this native plant an ideal medicine to cure many human and animal ailments.

Today, echinacea is valued for its preventative and restorative health properties. This includes the ability to use echinacea to build up the human immune system and prevent seasonal colds and flus. In addition, the unique chemical properties in echinacea help support better health in immunity suppressed patients such as those suffering from auto-immune diseases or recovering from serious illnesses or surgery.

Echinacea is believed to work by supporting the production of germ-fighting white blood cells in the body. In addition, this wonder herb also helps the body respond better to medical treatment following an illness or injury. Echinacea works well with the body’s ability to bounce back and speeds up recovery time for many patients who use it in tandem with other traditional medical treatments.

In women and children, the benefits of echinacea are that it is believed to support the reduction of overactive yeast infections to support a healthier skin, reproductive and digestive system. The benefits of echinacea also include the fact that it's a low cost alternative to other forms of treatment and doesn't require a doctor's visit for this often stubborn problem. In addition, it can be used for longer periods of time without serious side effects.

Perhaps one of the biggest benefits of echinacea is that it is readily available in most drug and health food stores and generally low cost due to its abundance. Many stores even carry cheap store brands; however it is advisable to purchase echinacea from a reputable distributor. Echinacea comes in a wide range of forms from dried tea leaves to easy-to-swallow pills and liquid concentrates. That means it can be used in a variety of convenient ways for human consumption, is not difficult to find and can be utilized by anyone regardless of their individual needs.