Echinacea, an immune modulating herb
One of the most interesting trials is looking at whether Echinacea could have a preventative effect in developing respiratory symptoms during air travel.
Echinacea is said to be one of the most widely used herbal medicines in the English-speaking world.
It was first used by native Americans and eclectic physicians who recognised its benefit in treating infections, septic conditions, fever and it was used to treat venomous bites.
It was also used to treat chronic disorders like cancer, TB, rheumatism as well as auto-immune conditions like diabetes and thyroid conditions.
They recognised that the root held stronger activity and caused a tingling sensation in the mouth.
Today Echinacea is being extensively researched and its benefits are widely recognised across the world.
One of the most interesting trials is looking at whether Echinacea could have a preventative effect in developing respiratory symptoms during air travel.
When compared to the placebo, those individuals that took Echinacea prior and during air travel had fewer respiratory symptoms, although the full effect of Echinacea is very dose dependent.
Research also looked at which components of the active ingredients were measurable in the blood following ingestion of Echinacea, and this was the alkylamides, which causes the tingling sensation on the tongue.
So in order for Echinacea to be truly effective, one needs to taste/experience that tingle in the mouth which indicates that Echinacea contains the active ingredient.
Some of the most common uses for Echinacea include the following:
- Acute and chronic respiratory tract infections. It can be used as a preventative as well as during the acute infection.
- For the treatment of allergies, sinusitis, conjunctivitis, skin disorders such as psoriasis and abscesses.
- To assist in alleviating temporary immune depletion such as that induced by chemotherapy.
- Swollen lymph glands; states of weakened or suppressed immunity such as post viral syndromes.
- Certain auto-immune conditions.
Echinacea is available in both tablet and liquid forms.
The liquid seems to be more rapidly absorbed and can be found in the bloodstream after 20 minutes while the tablet is evident after 30 minutes.
So it would appear that Echinacea is a herb that could successfully be used in the current health challenges that we are experiencing globally.
Dr Varuna Singh is a healthcare practitioner, specialising as a Homoeopath, in Ballito.
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