Echinacea (Echinacea Augustifolia)
Echinacea (Echinacea Augustifolia) is a bitter warming herb with a sweet taste with bitter undertones. It has many excellent healing properties and can be used for any number of conditions from treating bites and stings to chronic and recurring illnesses.
Echinacea is a great antiseptic and antimicrobial herb making it particularly beneficial at giving the immune system a boost and helping the body fight infections . It helps the body to purge the system which is troubled by the infection, for example if can help increase urine flow if a urinary tract infection is present helping to flush the infection out.
In the event of a respiratory infection it can help thick catarrh become streaming, loose nasal discharge. It can be used to help relieve chronic and recurrent infections such as tonsillitis, skin conditions and oral infections to name a few. These types of chronic and recurrent conditions occur when a person has not been effectively eliminating toxins leading to the tissues and fluids becoming infected leading to weakness and inability to fully recover. Where infections have led to skin becoming inflamed Echinacea can help the skin to heal as well as providing some pain relief.
Echinacea is also a blood-purifier due to its stimulating antiseptic and anti-putrefactive properties and its ability to help the body to eliminate toxins. Echinacea can also be used in cases of loss of appetite, helping to increase appetite is as well as aiding digestion.
BENEFITS
Echinacea is a dry cool bitter herb that can be effective when used for a number of conditions.
Therapeutic Action
Alterative, Antiseptic, Stimulant, Tonic, Diaphoretic, Sialogogue, Aphrodisiac, Depurant, Anti-Venomous, Anti-Putrefactive and Deodorant.
Can be used for the following issues:
Blood Poisoning, Tuberculosis, Fermentative Dyspepsia, Carbuncles, Boils, Eczema, Chronic Ulcers, Goitre, Peritonitis, Poisonous Bites or Stings, Gangrene, Typhoid Fever, diphtheria, pus Formation, Tonsillitis, Chilblains, Bleeding Gums, Halitosis, Enlargement and Weakness of Prostate Gland, Inflammations, Abscess, Septicemia, Sores, Infections, Wounds, Cancer, Erysipelas and Sexual Impotence.
Digestion/Loss of appetite - Echinacea has stimulating properties which can help to boost the appetite and ease digestive issues.
Boost Immunity - Echinacea is a great antiseptic and anti-microbial making it particularly beneficial at giving the immune system a boost, helping the body to fight infections.
Urinary Tract Infections (UTI) - Echinacea helps the body to purge the system which is troubled by the infection, it can help increase urine flow if a urinary tract infection is present helping to flush the infection out.
Blood Purifier/Detox - Echinacea is a great herb to use to purify the blood due to its stimulating antiseptic and anti-putrefactive properties and its ability to help the body to eliminate toxins.
Respiratory Tract Infections - Echinacea can help to relieve congestion, it can turn thick catarrh into streaming mucus that can unblock noses, relieve chest congestion and blocked sinus.
Skin Care - Echinacea has great healing properties due to its antiseptic properties. It can be used to heal infected skin, bites cuts and stings as well as providing some pain relief.
Fever - Echinacea can be used to break a fever due to its diaphoretic properties which can induce sweating and help to draw the fever out.
HOW TO USE ECHINACEA
Echinacea can be taken in a number of forms such as fluid extract, infusion and tincture.
DOSAGES
The basic dosages are as follows:
Decoction - I tablespoon per day
Tincture - ½ - 1 teaspoon 3 times daily.
Infusion - 1 tablespoon as needed.
Powder - 1 - 2 grams per day
Fluid Extract - ½ - 1 teaspoon per day
A hot infusion is made by steeping the herb in boiling water for between 15 – 20 minutes, many herbal teas are made in this way.
A cold Infusion is made by soaking the herb in cold water or milk for between 6 – 8 hours
You can make a batch of both hot and cold infusions and store for several days in the fridge.
Poultices are made from ground or chopped herbs that are mixed with boiled water until they form a paste which can then be applied to muslin and then applied to the skin. Applied cold they draw out heat, infection and inflammation when applied hot they soothe pain and spasms.
WAYS TO USE
ORALLY
Respiratory Infections
Echinacea can be made into an infusion and used to relieve colds, flu, bronchitis and chest infections. Can be taken as a tea or a tincture.
Tea - Drink 1 cup of warm Echinacea tea 3 - 4 times per day.
Tincture - 1 teaspoon of tincture 3 times per day.
Digestive Conditions
Drinking a warm infusion of Echinacea can help to soothe and relieve digestive issues. Can be taken as a tea or a tincture.
Tea - Drink 1 cup of war Echinacea tea twice a day.
Tincture - 1 teaspoon of tincture 3 times per day.
Fevers
Drinking a cold infusion of Echinacea tea can be effective bringing fevers down. Can be taken as a tea or a tincture.
Tea - Drink 1 cup of cold Echinacea tea 2 - 3 times a day or as needed.
Tincture - 1 teaspoon of tincture 3 times per day.
Blood Purifier
Drinking a warm infusion of Echinacea can help to stimulate the lymphatic system and the circulatory system and detoxify the system.
Tea - Drink 1 cup of warm Echinacea tea twice a day.
Tincture - 1 teaspoon of tincture 3 times per day.
Urinary Tract Infections
Drinking a warm infusion of Echinacea can help to increase the urine production and detoxify the urinary tract helping to flush out infection. Can be taken as a tea or a tincture.
Tea - Drink 1 cup of warm Echinacea tea 2 - 3 times a day or as needed to relieve the symptoms.
Tincture - 1 teaspoon of tincture 3 times per day.
Immune Booster
Drinking a cold infusion of Echinacea tea can be effective in boosting the immune system. Can be taken as a tea or a tincture.
Tea - Drink 1 cup of cold Echinacea tea twice a day.
Tincture - 1 teaspoon of tincture twice a day.
Acne and Spots
Echinacea can be used to relieve acne and spots to prevent infection, soothe pain and speed up the healing process.
Tea - Drink 1 cup of cold Echinacea tea twice a day.
Tincture - 1 teaspoon of tincture twice a day.
WASHES/POULTICES
Bites and Stings
Echinacea can be used to clean bites and stings to prevent infection, soothe pain and speed up the healing process.
Using cold infusion of Echinacea soak some cotton wool or clean cloth and gently clean the area wash the area 2 - 3 times per day until the wound has healed.
Alternatively, use a cold poultice applied to the area for 5 - 15 minutes to draw out the infection.
INHALATION
Respiratory Conditions
Inhaling a hot infusion of Echinacea can soothe and relieve respiratory conditions such as colds, flu and bronchitis as well as easing congestion and helping to loosen up catarrh and mucus.
Used as a steam inhalation by making a hot infusion of Echinacea in a bowl with a towel/cover over your head and bowl to trap the steam and release the volatile oils. Inhale for 5 - 10 minutes.
Skin Conditions
Echinacea can be used as a steam inhalation to clear congested skin and soothe acne.
Used as a steam inhalation by making a hot infusion of Echinacea in a bowl with a towel/cover over your head and bowl to trap the steam and release the volatile oils. Inhale for 5 minutes.
SIDE EFFECTS
As with all herbs there is the slight possibility of allergic reactions although this is rare.
Echinacea is considered to be generally safe to use, however it should be noted that caution should be taken by those with an autoimmune condition as Echinacea has been known to aggravate these conditions.