Echinacea: What Are the Properties and Benefits of This Plant?

Echinacea is a type of plant that has been used to treat cold symptoms and other disorders of the immune system, including some as serious as cancer; However, the available research does not support the effectiveness of this plant for any therapeutic application.

In this article we will analyze The uses, side effects and therapeutic efficacy of Echinacea based on the studies that have been carried out on this natural remedy.

What is echinacea?

Plants of the Echinacea genus are native to North America. Since ancient times, various healing properties have been attributed to them; Thus, the Pawnee Indians used echinacea for headaches and the Lakotah as a general analgesic, while the Kiowa and Cheyenne tribes used it for colds and sore throats.

There are nine species of plants that are categorized in the genus Echinaceas The two most used as dietary supplements are Echinacea purpurea and Echinacea angustifolia; We also find Echinacea pallida, paradoxa, simulata, atrorubens, laevigata, sanguinea and tennesseensis.

Oral consumption (mainly in the form of tea and juice) and the use of echinacea as a medicine are carried out by preparing its roots and flowers, or extracts from other parts of its body. Sometimes the plant segments are left to dry, while in other cases they are used fresh and just extracted.

What is it for?

Currently, echinacea is used to treat different types of physical disorders. The most common applications of these plants include the treatment of the common cold, although various other properties have also been described. In this sense Echinacea is consumed as a nutritional supplement or applied to the skin in topical format.

Thus, some medications with echinacea are used to treat skin problems; It is common for this type of product to be applied to prevent infections in recent wounds, among other uses. There are even those who have gone so far as to claim that echinacea can be used as remedy for very serious immune disorders, particularly cancer

This last application is related to the belief that echinacea has stimulating effects on the immune system, making its activity more effective in fighting all types of infections, including those associated with colds and colds.

On the other hand, some species of Echinacea are also used quite frequently for decorative purposes, especially in gardens. Echinacea is also planted with the aim of rehabilitate damaged or impoverished natural areas, in particular grasslands; These are plants that reproduce quickly and with flowers that are very resistant to climate and seasons.

Does it really have therapeutic effects?

Most of the research on the effectiveness of echinacea as a medicine has been carried out in relation to its most common application: the treatment of the common cold. However, we still need more scientific studies to be able to reliably assess the possible therapeutic effects of echinacea on other disorders.

The results of the available studies reliably affirm that echinacea does not reduce the duration of cold symptoms once it has already occurred In this sense, the effectiveness of echinacea in treating colds would be similar to that of placebo.

At the moment it is not clear if this plant can be useful in preventing colds; Some research suggests it may have this effect to some degree, although it has not been definitively proven. The possible active components and action of Echinacea bacteria on the human immune system are currently being analyzed.

On the other hand, the British foundation Cancer Research UK stated in a 2012 study that There is no evidence of the effectiveness of echinacea in treating cancer The same happens with the use of this plant to minimize the side effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

Side effects and adverse reactions

The effects of products containing echinacea can vary significantly depending on different factors. Not only the species or part of the plant used is relevant, but also the rest of the components that make up the product in question.

Research suggests that echinacea is fairly safe for most people in the short term, although its long-term effects have not been studied. When adverse reactions appear, the most common affect the gastrointestinal system; For example, nausea, vomiting and stomach pain are relatively common

In some cases allergic reactions appear that can reach a significant degree of severity. These types of physiological responses are more common in people who are predisposed and have other different allergies.

It should be taken into account that in many cases dietary supplements and remedies or medications with echinacea have not been manufactured in a regulated manner, and it is also very common that they have not been tested on humans before being marketed. Therefore, Caution should be recommended when using products with echinacea