Echinacea tea is a healing, invigorating drink. Echinacea for immunity: how to use, recipes for tinctures and decoctions

Nature has given us a huge number of plants that have healing medicinal properties. Many of them have been used for the treatment and prevention of various diseases for a long time. One of these useful representatives of the flora is the perennial of the aster family - echinacea, which came to us from the Atlantic shores of North America.

What are the benefits of Echinacea?

Due to its beneficial properties, Echinacea is now widely cultivated in European countries. This plant, which is an alternative to antibacterial agents, does not require special care, is light-loving, prefers light soil and abundant watering.

A distinctive feature of the perennial is the content of useful substances in all its parts, that is, the stem, flowering, leaves, roots and rhizomes of the plant can be used for medicinal purposes. The most popular properties of Echinacea in medicine include:

• Strengthening the immune system. The plant helps strengthen the body's protective properties, increases resistance to viruses and infections.
• Antiseptic effect. The plant provides disinfection and destruction of pathogenic microflora through phenolic acid in the composition.
• Cosmetic effect. The components of the plant stimulate internal biological processes, which allows you to achieve a noticeable effect.

Medicinal properties

Echinacea is rightly called a panacea for all diseases, because its medicinal properties include:

• anti-inflammatory;
• antirheumatic;
• diuretic;
• choleretic;
• antifungal;
• antiviral;
• antiallergic.

Due to its enormous healing potential and wide spectrum of action, the plant is often used:

• for the treatment and prevention of acute and chronic respiratory diseases of viral etiology, influenza;
• in complex therapy of inflammatory and infectious diseases;
• with prolonged antibiotic therapy;
• to relieve mental and physical fatigue, combat depression;
• for the treatment of diseases caused by impaired metabolism;
• to combat leukopenia caused by radiation or the use of cytostatics;
• in order to maintain the body in the postoperative period, during long-term therapeutic courses using antibiotics, during chemotherapy;
• to relieve headaches and joint pain;
• in complex therapy of skin pathologies.

Strengthening the immune system

The main reason why Echinacea is used therapeutically and added to many medications is to strengthen the immune system. This ability is determined by a chemical composition rich in:

• tannins;
• essential oils;
• organic fatty acids;
• phytosterols;
• alkaloids.

The use of echinacea is important at the initial stage of colds and flu. If you include the plant extract in the general treatment regimen, the effectiveness of the latter increases by 20-40%. This perennial is an excellent prevention of acute respiratory infections and seasonal diseases, as it activates the immune system.

Age restrictions

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Echinacea for children is most often used as a means of strengthening the immune system, especially for those children who attend kindergarten and school. Regarding the question of at what age can a child be given echinacea, there are several opinions. In folk medicine, it is believed that tinctures or tea with the addition of this plant can be given to children as young as 1 year old. In classical medical practice, doctors prefer to adhere to other deadlines.

For children, options in the form of syrup, decoction or tea are also suitable. Up to 7 years of age, alcohol tincture can only be used externally to treat damaged skin.

Gummi King dietary supplement with echinacea, vitamin C and zinc for children over 2 years old

Instructions for use for children

There is a huge variety of Echinacea-based preparations, available in different forms:

• tincture;
• syrup;
• decoction;
• drops;
• tea (see also:);
• chewable tablets;
• lozenges.

Depending on the purpose and form of release, the duration of the course and dosage are determined. Like any medicine, you should take Echinacea according to the instructions.

Alcohol tincture

Alcohol tinctures of this plant have a wide range of uses. They are used for:

• increasing immunity against colds and flu;
• treatment of stomatitis;
• in complex therapy of gastric ulcer;
• therapy of infectious diseases of the urinary tract.
• fight obesity.

Since tinctures are prepared with alcohol, they are allowed to be taken orally from the age of 12 (some manufacturers indicate children under 18 years of age in the list of contraindications). The course lasts 10 days, during which you need to drink 5-10 drops of tincture up to 3 times a day.

Externally, the product is used in diluted form for compresses and treatment of wounds, abscesses and other injuries. To do this, 10-30 drops of tincture are diluted in 50 ml of saline solution. Procedures are carried out several times a day.

Syrup with chokeberry juice

Despite the absence of alcohol in the composition, the syrup is recommended for use from the age of 14 (due to the lack of clinical data). The dietary supplement has a pleasant taste, so there should be no problems with the child’s desire to drink the medicine. The syrup can be used for both antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal properties, and to strengthen the immune system.

According to the instructions, it should be given to the child for at least 2 weeks. 1 tsp syrup is diluted in 100 ml of water and taken 3 times a day with meals.

Decoction

Another option for using echinacea is decoctions. They are prescribed for:

• flu and colds;
• stomach ulcer;
• cough;
• headache and joint pain;
• swelling.

In addition, the use of decoctions helps improve vision, increase appetite, normalize blood pressure, and also tones and strengthens the body. When using the decoction, lotions are applied externally to areas damaged as a result of psoriasis, snake or insect bites, or streptococcal infection.

The prepared decoction is taken 1/3 cup three times a day. Take before meals. The decoction recipe is very simple: you need to pour 1 teaspoon of dry or fresh leaves of the plant with 200 ml of water, heat for half an hour in a water bath, then leave and strain.

Chewable tablets

Natural Dynamix dietary supplement with echinacea, vitamin C and zinc, approved for children from 4 years of age

Such preparations are a complex of vitamins and minerals, including echinacea extract. Such products are produced in the form of chewing candies, which have a sweet, pleasant taste, which kids always like. The limitation for the use of such vitamin complexes is age up to 2-4 years (depending on the manufacturer).

Most often they are prescribed to children as preventive measures aimed at preventing infectious and viral diseases. To do this, they should be taken for 7 days, 2 pieces per day.

Lozenges

Natur Produkt tablets

Echinacea in the form of lozenges is used to treat children only as prescribed by a pediatrician. Typically the therapeutic course lasts about a week. The instructions for the drug indicate that the medicine is allowed only from 12 years of age: take 1 tablet 3-4 times a day.

Contraindications to the use of the product

Despite all the benefits of echinacea and its use in the treatment of various diseases of any etiology in both adults and children, there are a number of conditions and restrictions in which the use of this plant is contraindicated. Among these contraindications.

Probably everyone has seen crushed echinacea in the pharmacy. The herb, instructions for use of which are not always included in the pharmacy, is one of the most effective. From the article you can find out what its medicinal properties can be used for your health and how to take echinacea tincture for immunity, colds and other health problems.

Echinacea purpurea is probably one of the most beneficial and versatile plants on the planet. Today, more than 200 types of medicines for various ailments are made on its basis.

In what cases is it used?

1. To strengthen the immune system;
2. As a natural antibiotic for colds;
3. As a powerful antiseptic for skin problems;
4. In the treatment of cardiovascular diseases;
5. To cleanse the liver and kidneys;
6. For joint diseases;
7. For infections of the genitourinary system.

Not all areas of use of the herb are listed here, but we will tell you how to prepare medicines from Echinacea purpurea to treat the most common diseases, and give instructions for use.

The immune system

The main property of echinacea is to strengthen a weakened body. The production of interferon, which is responsible for immunity, helps cope with depression and winter fatigue syndrome. The plant will help with recovery after a long illness or chronic fatigue, in stressful situations or nervous exhaustion.

In these cases, to strengthen the body, take Herb tea:

Grind 2 teaspoons of roots, flowers or leaves and brew 600 g. boiling water Cover and let sit for 30-40 minutes, no more. After straining, the drink is ready and you can drink it at any time.

For herbal tea, you can use plant parts separately or a mixture of them, or you can buy a ready-made mixture at the pharmacy.

To boost your immunity, drink 3 glasses of the drink daily for 10 days. Repeat this course three times with breaks of at least 5 days, but then be sure to take a long break for a month.

Echinacea tincture can also be used to boost immunity.

Colds

This flower has the properties to destroy many types of microbes and viruses. This property is used in the treatment of flu or colds.

For this they use herbal decoction of leaves: 1 tsp. Brew a glass of boiling water with crushed leaves (fresh or dry) and keep in a warm place or thermos for 5 hours. If you want it faster, the brewed leaves can be kept in a water bath for 15-20 minutes. Drink a third of a glass 3 times daily, best before meals.

If you have a severe cough, you can take the herb mixed with honey and at the same time apply a compress of alcohol tincture to the chest area.

Instructions for preparing and using echinacea with honey:

Grind different parts of the plant into flour and mix with natural honey in a ratio of 1:3. This mixture is taken daily 3 times a tablespoon along with some liquid. However, you should not take other echinacea decoctions.

For sore throat, pharyngitis and sore throat, gargle with herbal infusion. By the way, rinsing your mouth is also very useful for stomatitis or when your gums are bleeding. And rinsing the nasal sinuses allows you to get rid of sinusitis and sinusitis.

The herb Echinacea is very effective for your health in almost any case if you follow the preparation and use instructions correctly. Therefore, be careful before taking echinacea tinctures and decoctions, especially for immunity. And our information about it will help you grow echinacea.

Echinacea for children helps strengthen the body's defenses. Syrups, tinctures and other drugs are produced based on this medicinal plant. They have proven themselves to be effective means of combating viral and colds. However, they have contraindications for use, so they should be given to children with caution.

Echinacea - beneficial properties

This medicinal plant is considered a real storehouse of valuable substances. Echinacea has the following chemical composition:

• vitamins A, C, E;
• sodium, potassium, magnesium, selenium, manganese and other elements;
• flavonoids;
• resins;
• organic acids;
• polysaccharides and so on.

Thanks to this diverse composition, Echinacea has the following properties:

• restores the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract;
• enhances the activity of phagocytes;
• restores the body's protective functions;
• replenishes vitamin reserves;
• removes free radicals from the body;
• accelerates the healing of damaged tissues;
• has anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and antiallergic effects;
• participates in hematopoiesis;
• has a beneficial effect on hair, nails, bones and teeth.

Echinacea is prescribed to children for the treatment of the following diseases:

• runny nose;
• urinary and respiratory tract infections;
• tonsillitis;
• during inflammatory processes occurring in the body;
• physical and mental fatigue;
• for burns, ulcers and wounds on the body;
• with carbuncles.

Can children eat Echinacea?

This medication should be taken only as prescribed by a doctor. Self-medication is not acceptable! Echinacea can be given to children, but it is important to observe the dosage and duration of taking the medication. This medicine, even in its most harmless form (in the form of a medicinal decoction or tea), can cause harm to the baby, so you should not give it thoughtlessly.

Echinacea for children – from what age?

Pediatricians agree that this drug can be safely prescribed to 2-year-old children. In some cases (provided that the situation is controlled by a doctor), the “drug” is prescribed to babies 1 year old. Echinacea for children 3 years old can be used in the form of tea, syrup, decoction and in tablet form. To enhance the medicinal properties of this drug, it is prescribed in combination with other drugs (vitamins, anti-inflammatory medications).

How should children take echinacea?

The doctor's instructions must be strictly followed. He will describe how to give Echinacea to your child and indicate the optimal duration of therapy. Most often, this drug is prescribed for a period of no more than 8 weeks. It has been scientifically proven that only during this period does Echinacea have a stimulating effect on the immune system. Afterwards the reverse process is observed. Echinacea begins to suppress the body's defense system. As a result, leukopenia may even develop.

Echinacea syrup for children

This drug is produced in bottles of 50 or 100 ml. Echinacea syrup contains sugar and other flavor enhancers. This medicine is prescribed according to the following scheme:

• echinacea for children 2 years old – 3 drops per glass of water (taking the healing solution is recommended twice a day);
• for 3-year-old children – 4 drops (the dosage regimen is the same as for younger children);
• echinacea for children 3-12 years old – 1 teaspoon twice a day;
• from 12 years old – 1 tbsp. spoon 2 times a day.

Echinacea tincture for children

Medicines containing alcohol have more pronounced healing properties. However, it is not recommended to give it to children under 12 years of age. For those who are older, 8 drops of echinacea tincture for the child’s immunity are prescribed. This amount of the drug must be diluted st. spoon of chilled boiled water. The drug should be taken twice a day.

How to make echinacea tincture?

Ingredients:

• 70% alcohol – 4 parts;
• dry raw materials – 1 part.

Preparation, use:

1. Echinacea is poured with alcohol.
2. Leave for a month at room temperature in a dark place.
3. Strain the tincture. This drug should be given exactly as a pharmaceutical drug.

Echinacea decoction for children

In this form, the drug is often given to children during an acute respiratory viral infection or influenza epidemic. In addition, a decoction prepared at home can be used as a compress. It is applied to the back or chest of a child for respiratory diseases. You can also use the decoction to wipe abrasions and scratches on the baby’s body. This will speed up their healing process.

How is Echinacea herb brewed for children?

Ingredients:

• water – 250 ml;
• dry raw materials – 1 teaspoon.

Preparation, use:

1. Boil water and pour it over echinacea.
2. Keep the solution for a quarter of an hour in a water bath.
3. Strain and give to the baby to drink. At one time, a 3-year-old child should drink ¼ cup of the decoction, diluted with the same amount of warm boiled water. To make the baby more willing to be treated, you can sweeten the drink.

Echinacea tablets for children

The drug is prescribed in this form from the age of 6 years. It is prescribed to children suffering from colds or other ailments. More often, echinacea extract is prescribed in tablets when it is difficult to give a decoction of the drug to a child. The drug dosage regimen is as follows:

• children 6-11 years old – 1 tablet once a day;
• from 12 years and older – 1 pill twice a day.

Echinacea - contraindications

Although this is a natural medicine, it is not equally beneficial for everyone. Echinacea is not recommended for children suffering from the following conditions:

• autoimmune diseases;
• idiosyncrasy;
• for leukemia, tuberculosis and atherosclerosis;
• systemic connective tissue diseases;
• after anaphylactic shock.

In addition, therapy using this drug is not prescribed to HIV carriers. If Echinacea is taken, allergies are more likely to occur in those children who are hypersensitive to marigolds, ragweed, chamomile and other members of the Asteraceae family. They are predisposed to such a reaction in the body.

It has long been known that the Echinacea plant is very beneficial for our health. For medicinal purposes, both the leaves of this representative of the plant world, its flowers and even its roots are used. The influence of the substances contained in it on the human body is extremely diverse, but first of all, drugs from it are used to strengthen the immune system. For this purpose, tinctures and teas are prepared.

How else is echinacea useful for us, tea for immunity, how should it be used to help ourselves? What beneficial properties does it have, to whom is it indicated, and who should refrain from drinking this drink?

Composition and beneficial properties

It should be noted that, unlike many other plants, the chemical composition of Echinacea has been studied quite well. Perhaps this is precisely what determines its popularity. So this representative of the plant world contains the following chemical compounds: resins, a large amount of complex and simple carbohydrates, phytosterols, isobutylamides, fatty oils, organic acids, esters, flavonoids, alkylamides, lipids and other substances, “in the form of” vitamins and minerals.

Effect on the immune system

How do these substances affect the human body? The effect of echinacea primarily affects the state of the immune system. For example, it is known that some substances can stimulate the production and activity of special protective cells - macrophages, and they, in turn, quickly eliminate foreign pathogenic microorganisms.

Secondly, some substances that make up echinacea can stimulate the production of interferons. These compounds have extremely high nonspecific antiviral activity. Without a doubt, this circumstance is extremely important, especially in the cold season, when influenza viruses and others like them have almost complete dominion over the human body, forcing millions of people around the world to suffer from colds.

Nervous system stimulant

But the effect of echinacea does not end there. Drugs made from it can stimulate the activity of the human central nervous system. Of course, in this respect, this plant is inferior to the leader in this area - ginseng, but, nevertheless, it would be unforgivable not to notice this circumstance.

This is manifested, first of all, by an improvement in the mental abilities of the individual in terms of cognitive functions, memory and attention. However, you should not expect that after drinking several cups of Echinacea tea you will notice a similar effect, since stimulants of central nervous system activity must accumulate in the tissues of the nervous system, and this requires at least 3 - 4 weeks, sometimes a little more , it all depends on the characteristics of metabolism.

Hematopoiesis stimulator

Last but not least, it should be noted that there is a stimulating effect on the hematopoietic organs. As you know, blood is a dynamic system, the cells of which are constantly undergoing death and restoration. As a rule, the lifespan of each red blood cell is about 120 days, after which it must be disposed of and replaced by a new “oxygen carrier”.

Due to certain circumstances, the processes of generating red blood cells can be significantly slowed down. This may be due to a deficiency of iron, vitamins, and other circumstances. In this case, the use of Echinacea tea can become a real medicine, capable of normalizing hemogram parameters in the shortest possible time and without side effects, and significantly improving a person’s health.

Indications for use

Echinacea tea can and should be taken if you have the following conditions:

Frequent colds more than 2 times a year;
As a prevention of ARVI and influenza;
Purulent skin diseases, for example, frequent boils;
Eczema;
Trophic ulcers;
As a means of rehabilitation therapy after serious illnesses and after a course of antibacterial therapy.

Without a doubt, it would be a good idea to visit your doctor. If a person develops the health problems listed above, he needs to undergo a comprehensive examination and use echinacea medicines as an additional remedy that potentiates the effect of using the medicine recommended by a specialist.

Contraindications for use

Of course, even the most useful and valuable plants may have a list of contraindications that significantly limit their use. In our case, we couldn’t do without them either. So, below I will give a list of conditions in the presence of which it is better to stay away from this plant, no matter what medicine it is included in.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding period;
Individual intolerance;
Immunosuppressive therapy.

Preparing and drinking Echinacea tea

The means needed to prepare the drug can be purchased at any pharmacy without any difficulty. In addition, and importantly, the cost of harvesting Echinacea is at a very reasonable level.

Take 3 flowers of the plant, add 2 teaspoons of dry leaves or roots to them, and grind everything thoroughly using a mill or any other kitchen aid, then place the mixture in an enamel or glass bowl and add half a liter of hot, but not boiling water.

The drug needs to be infused for about half an hour or 40 minutes, then filtered thoroughly and an excellent remedy for strengthening the immune system is ready for use.

It is better to use it on an empty stomach, immediately after waking up in an amount not exceeding one cup, this is what concerns the prevention of colds and other diseases. As a remedy, you need to drink 2 - 3 cups a day, morning and evening, again, before meals.

Conclusion

It should be remembered that it is not recommended to constantly use drugs from this plant. After a month's course, you need to take a break of a couple of weeks, after which you can repeat the treatment measures. As a rule, such courses should be taken once a year, before the cold season.

Echinacea, the medicinal properties and contraindications of which have been studied quite fully over 300 years of use in medicine and cosmetology, is very popular. “Evening sun”, “golden flower”, “miracle flower of the prairie” - this is how echinacea was called in its homeland in North America. The Indians knew about the medicinal properties of this beautiful flower for a very long time. There is a legend that the Kiowa and Cheyenne Indians noticed that sick deer happily ate purple flowers, which literally resurrected the animals.

Echinacea herb - medicinal properties

Echinacea was brought to Europe in the 17th century and grown in gardens as an ornamental plant. Its medicinal properties were described in 1762, and in Russian chronicles the first mention of echinacea was found in 1780.

The study of the properties and composition of the plant is associated with the name of J. Lloyd, who published the results of his research in the 19th century. The study of the properties of Echinacea was continued by the Ukrainian scientist, Doctor of Medical Sciences S.A. Tomilin. He found that echinacea preparations have a powerful biostimulating effect comparable to ginseng.

Chemical composition of the herb

In folk and official medicine, all parts of the plant are used - aboveground and underground.

The flowers and leaves of the plant contain:

• homoglycans;
• resins;
• mucus;
• tannins;
• oils – essential (0.15-0.50%) and vegetable (~ 1.4%);
• organic acids;
• flavonoids;
• saponins;
• phytosterols;
• acids – caffeic, chicoric, coumaric, palmitic, cerotinic;
• enzymes;
• vitamins;
• minerals.

In addition to the listed substances, the roots and rhizomes of the plant contain inulin (~6%) and betaine.

Echinacea herb contains unique substances - echinacin, echinolone, echinacoside. More than 300 medications are produced based on echinacea.

Echinacea is used in herbal medicine:

• purple;
• narrow-leaved;
• pale.

The medicinal properties and composition of another 10 botanical species included in the genus Echinacea have been less studied.

What diseases does it help with?

Echinacea preparations have been proven effective in treating more than 70 diseases. In 1871, the lay physician Mayer from Germany demonstrated the properties of his drug, which he called a “blood purifier.” In front of the public, he allowed himself to be bitten by a poisonous snake, after which he took his medicine, which neutralized and removed the biotoxin.

Echinacea helps with depression and mental fatigue. Professor Tomilin S.A. established the tonic effect of the plant on the nervous system.

Echinacea improves memory and mood, relieves stress, relieves drowsiness, lethargy, apathy, stimulates mental abilities, increases learning ability, efficiency, and normalizes sleep.

In the practice of treatment with herbal remedies of Echinacea purpurea, cases of cure of patients suffering from one of the forms of lupus erythematosus have been recorded.

The plant helps treat other autoimmune diseases:

• rheumatoid arthritis;
• hepatitis;
• nephritis;
• psoriasis.

In 1930, brothers Gerhard and Hans Madaus founded the company Dr. Madaus & Co., specializing in the production of herbal preparations. Today, the immunomodulator Echinacin, produced by Madaus AG, is a leader in the German markets. Echinacea extract is even used in the treatment of AIDS.

Recently, Canadian and American microbiologists discovered the antioxidant effect of the plant's juice.

The herb is used in the treatment of skin diseases:

• psoriasis;
• eczema;
• acne;
• hives;
• abscess;
• streptococcal infections;
• carbuncles and boils.

Ointment for external use heals burns, deep purulent wounds, trophic ulcers, frostbite, and stops septic processes.

The antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal effect of echinacea is realized in the treatment of a number of infectious diseases:

• typhoid fever;
• erysipelas;
• scarlet fever;
• gonorrhea;
• osteomyelitis;
• cerebrospinal meningitis;
• polyarthritis.

Echinacea preparations are of great importance for the health of the reproductive system of men and women. Echinacea tincture treats gynecological and urological diseases; it is recommended for use after chemotherapy or radiotherapy. It reduces the number of tumor markers and increases the activity of T-killers in the body of patients with malignant diseases.

Echinacea for immunity

Echinacea purpurea has received wide recognition as an effective immunocorrector. Studies conducted by foreign and domestic scientists have proven the effectiveness of echinacea herb preparations in increasing the nonspecific resistance of humans and animals to the effects of damaging factors and environmentally caused pathologies.