Echinacea - what you need to know

Learn how echinacea may help support the immune system and support symptoms of the common cold

Echinacea is part of the daisy family and is sometimes known as the purple coneflower due to its appearance. It was traditionally used by the Native Americans for a wide variety of conditions including immune support. Parts used in herbal medicine includes the whole plant, ariel parts and root from a few different species of echinacea, each rich in compounds which have a therapeutic action.

The compounds in echinacea help support the immune cell response activity and support the upper respiratory and lymphatic system.

Many naturopaths recommend taking echinacea as a preventative to support your immunity when travelling or if those around you are unwell as well as at first signs of a common cold such as runny nose, sneezing and congestion or swollen lymph nodes.

In short, echinacea has been traditionally used in Western herbal medicine to:

• Maintain immune system health
• Support healthy immune system function
• Reduce duration and symptom severity of common colds
• Help reduce occurrence of symptoms of upper respiratory tract infections
• Maintain a healthy lymphatic system

A US meta-analysis published in the Lancet has reported echinacea reduces the incidence and duration of common colds.

The study reported symptoms were cut by two days with the early use of echinacea when taken before the onset of full-blown symptoms.

If you wish to support your immune system holistically, making sure you get a good night's sleep each night plus keep to a healthy diet avoiding processed foods and sugar while encouraging foods rich in fruit and vegetables, whole grains, lean meats and good oils, to provide the body with the essential vitamins and minerals and rest to naturally maintain the immune system.

If you need more immune support, then you can consider adding echinacea as a tea or supplement. Look for a product with echinacea on its own if you are taking other supplements, or your diet is wholesome or consider one with other nutrients like zinc and vitamin C which also support immune system health.

Learn more about the Blackmores echinacea range