Echinacea tincture: instructions for use

Benefits of Echinacea

The beneficial properties of Echinacea have been known since ancient times. To the indigenous people of America, this plant helped cope with colds, poisonous snake bites, blood poisoning and many other health problems.

Today, Echinacea continues to be in great demand because it can improve the functioning of the immune system and speed up the healing process.

The composition of the plant is unique:

• Essential oils
• Organic acids
• Antimycotics (antifungal substances)
• Glycosides
• Antioxidants
• Tannins
• Vitamins A, C and E
• Selenium
• Calcium
• Iron
• Silicon
• Inulin

By taking a medicinal plant, you replenish your supply of vitamins and microelements, and also fight pathogenic bacteria in the body. It's like multivitamins and antibiotics in one bottle, without side effects.

The herbal remedy has the following effects on our body:

• Promotes an increase in leukocytes in the blood;
• Helps increase interferon levels. This protein prevents viruses from entering cells;
• Reduces inflammatory processes;
• Reduces the risk of flu and colds by 58%;
• Destroys pathogenic bacteria in the respiratory and urinary system;
• Prevents re-infection and complications after illness;
• Prolongs youth;
• Accelerates tissue regeneration;
• Reduces the risk of neoplasms;
• Improves liver condition;
• Helps remove harmful substances from the body;
• Improves the condition of hair, nails and teeth.

When is it useful to take

Indications for the use of Echinacea can be very different. Starting from seasonal prevention and ending with specific diseases.

• Respiratory and viral infections (flu, ARVI)
• Chronic diseases (hepatitis, cystitis, rheumatoid arthritis, prostatitis, nephritis)
• Skin problems (purulent wounds, psoriasis, various burns, eczema, trophic ulcers, furunculosis)
• Rhinitis, tonsillitis, pharyngitis, sinusitis
• Thrush
• Urinary tract infections
• HPV
• Gonorrhea
• Typhoid fever
• Meningitis
• Malaria
• Scarlet fever
• Typhoid
• Syphilis
• Herpes
• Malignant neoplasms
• Headache

Echinacea for immunity: how to use, recipes for tinctures and decoctions

Echinacea for immunity: how to use, recipes for tinctures and decoctions

Echinacea preparations serve as powerful naturally occurring immunomodulators and have virtually no negative side effects on health. Despite the safety for the human body as part of a short-term course of use, it is advisable to consult a doctor regarding the possibility of their use, taking into account existing contraindications.

Effect of Echinacea on the Immune System

In medicine, three main types of echinacea are used to support immunity: purple, pale and angustifolia. The composition of the plant includes several groups of compounds that have a beneficial effect on the human body:

• Roots and flowers are rich in echinosides; they serve as natural antibiotics, exhibiting properties similar to penicillin, and are able to fight diverse groups of pathogenic microorganisms. These same substances cleanse the human body of free radicals.
• Polysaccharides are found in the above-ground parts of the plant. Once inside the body, they envelop cells, protecting them from viral and bacterial aggression, and also help them restore their structure.
• Alkylamides are extracted mainly from the roots; these substances serve as an excellent pain reliever, so they are used as broad-spectrum anesthetics.
• Inulin is contained in the root part of Echinacea; it activates the activity of white blood cells and lymphocytes, due to which they quickly eliminate populations of infectious agents. The immune response thus strengthened promotes rapid recovery.
• Plant minerals (iron, potassium, aluminum, magnesium), essential oils, flavonoids, chlorogenic acid and sinorin, and vitamins also play an active role in maintaining immunity.

Taking echinacea preparations is indicated to combat staphylococcal and streptococcal infections, sore throat, furunculosis, and sinusitis. They are effective for treating and preventing colds in the off-season.

Indications for use

Indications for the use of echinacea products include the following conditions:

• the appearance of boils and rashes on the skin;
• herpes;
• insomnia, increased irritability;
• taking antibiotics;
• high susceptibility to colds;
• long and difficult recovery;
• weakness, lethargy, loss of strength;
• smoking, drinking alcohol;
• increased body temperature for no obvious reason;
• unfavorable environmental conditions;
• other signs of decreased immunity.

The use of echinacea preparations in childhood

The child's body is extremely susceptible to colds. The developing immune system cannot cope with the abundance of pathogenic microbes that are constantly present in kindergartens and schools, which can cause frequent recurrent acute respiratory viral infections, an increase in the duration of the recovery period, and the occurrence of complications.

Alcohol extracts of Echinacea cannot be used for children under 12 years of age; there are special syrups, lozenges, granules, tablets or emulsions for children. At home, you can make a water extract by brewing plant materials like regular tea.

From the age of 12, alcohol tincture of echinacea is used to boost the child’s immunity by diluting it with water in a ratio of 1 to 3, and giving 5-10 drops of the resulting product to drink three times a day before meals. Tea made from herbal raw materials can be taken by children from 3 years old 3 times a day, 50 ml, the course should not exceed 5 weeks. It can be consumed in its pure form or added to juices and compotes.

Recipes for making your own medicinal products

Echinacea tincture is available in pharmacies without a prescription and can be easily prepared at home. You can grow echinacea in your garden. Medicinal raw materials are prepared by collecting the grass during flowering, and the rhizomes are dug up in the fall. It is permissible to dry the above-ground parts naturally by cutting them into pieces. The roots are pre-washed and dried at a temperature of 40-60°C until brittle, otherwise they may be damaged by mold.

Important: In folk medicine, it is customary to use plants that are at least 2 years old for medicinal purposes.

Homemade Echinacea Leaf Tincture Recipe

Ingredients: Fresh echinacea leaves – 200 g (or dried plant materials in the amount of 50 g) Vodka – 500 g

Application: The leaves of the plant are placed in a bottle and filled with vodka, then the container is placed in the dark and cool for 10-12 days. The composition must be shaken daily.

Recipe for homemade tincture from Echinacea rhizomes

Ingredients: Echinacea root – 100 g Vodka (alcohol) – 0.5 l

Application: Plant materials must be thoroughly washed, peeled and placed in a glass container with vodka or alcohol. The infusion requires daily shaking. Preparation takes 10-12 days in a cool, dark place.

Echinacea decoction recipe

Ingredients: Crushed echinacea herb – 1 tsp. Water – 1 glass

Application: Pour the plant material into boiling water, simmer the mixture in a water bath for about a quarter of an hour, then remove for 30 minutes to infuse and strain off the liquid. Drink a third of a glass three times a day before meals for 10 days, then you need to take a break for 5 days and repeat the course if necessary.

Echinacea water infusion recipe

Ingredients: Echinacea leaves and flowers – 1 tsp. Water – 200 g

Application: Pour boiling water over the plant, brew for several minutes under the lid. It is useful to add honey to taste to the cooled and infused liquid. The drink can be taken up to 3 times a day during meals for a week and a half, after which it is necessary to take a break of at least 10 days.

Contraindications

Echinacea preparations should not be taken in case of acute leukemia, the presence of malignant neoplasms, viral immunodeficiency, diabetes, individual intolerance and allergies, tuberculosis and systemic lupus erythematosus. Constant and regular use of products based on this plant can contribute to disruption of the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract and an increase in the excitability of nervous activity.

Echinacea for immunity: beneficial properties

Iowa State University has experimentally proven that this plant is a broad-spectrum immunomodulator. It helps to increase both types of immunity: the one that is genetically transmitted from generation to generation, and the one that appears throughout life and constantly “learns” to recognize new threats 1 . Employees at the University of Connecticut School of Pharmacy processed statistical data from 14 different studies and found that the plant reduces the likelihood of developing acute respiratory infections by 58% and the duration of colds by 1.4 days 2 . Teas, tinctures and tablet preparations based on the extract also have a number of other beneficial properties.

According to scientists from the Isfahan University of Technology, the plant also contains a unique selection of other useful active components, including caffeic and rosmarinic acid, phenolic acids, and polyacetylenes 7.

External use

Pour 30 drops into 100 ml of saline and use for compresses and lotions. Apply gauze soaked in liquid, cover with polyethylene, and secure. Change the bandage twice a day. For laryngitis, pharyngitis, and sore throat, dilute 2 teaspoons of tincture in 200 ml of warm water, use 3 times a day to gargle a sore throat.

The plant can increase the immunity of animals. In veterinary medicine, the drug Echinacea compositum is used in ampoules for dogs.

Tinctures sold in pharmacies for pets are harmful and pose a health hazard.

How to take for adults?

If you need to take echinacea tincture, you need to familiarize yourself with the rules for using the drug for adults. The medicinal solution is recommended to be taken for the prevention of infectious diseases, especially in the spring and autumn, or in the first days of illness.

The duration of a course of taking Echinacea tincture to boost immunity for adults is two months . If necessary, treatment can be repeated within a year, but no more than twice.

The dosage of tincture for an adult is 20 - 30 drops of solution mixed with water, 3 times a day. The recommended time for consuming herbal infusion is half an hour to an hour before meals.

During the development of severe infectious diseases, to boost immunity in an adult, you can take the medicine in the first four days of illness, 20 drops up to 6 times a day.

, taking echinacea in tablets helps strengthen a weakened body . The daily dose of the medicine is 3 - 4 tablets . The recommended period of use is at least seven days and no more than eight weeks.

How to take it for children?

Not only adults, but also children can take echinacea to boost immunity. Echinacea tincture is recommended for use by children after seven years of age. In this case, the dosage is from 5 to 15 drops of a solution diluted with water, juice, compote, twice a day. The daily dosage to strengthen the immune defense of adolescents is 20 drops three times a day .

To increase the protection of children's immune system, tablets containing echinacea extract can be used.

Norm for children:

• From 1 to 6 years the dose is one tablet twice a day;
• From 6 - 12 years, one tablet 2 - 3 times;
• After 12, you need to take 1 tablet 3 or 4 times a day.

In addition to tablets and infusions, tea with dried echinacea herb is used to boost immunity for young children.

Sensitivity to the drug

Although the tincture is of plant origin, it is important to use it in strict accordance with the instructions: this will help eliminate the possibility of side effects. Most often, Echinacea is used without incident, but the drug must be used with extreme caution by those who are highly susceptible to the Asteraceae family of plants. But in general, echinacea is great for boosting immunity .

Echinacea tincture for immunity: how to take

Taking Echinacea tincture daily during influenza and ARVI epidemics will help improve your health.

Recommended dosage: 25 drops of alcohol tincture once a day. Course: 30 days, then a break. If the plant components are well tolerated, 3-4 courses per year are acceptable.

How to Take Echinacea for Adults for Hair Loss

Echinacea tincture has proven itself well for treating hair. For hair loss and beginning baldness, it is recommended to make lotions from echinacea tincture. First, dilute the product by half with warm water. The exposure time should not exceed 15-20 minutes. If itching or other unpleasant sensations occur, the procedure should be stopped immediately.

To generally strengthen the hair follicles, it is recommended to rinse your hair with a well-strained water infusion once a week.

How to take Echinacea tincture during pregnancy

The immune system of the expectant mother is the key to the health of the unborn baby. However, you should not go to extremes and uncontrollably absorb drugs that enhance immunity.

As a rule, gynecologists do not recommend the use of Echinacea tincture during pregnancy. The first trimester is especially dangerous, when the expectant mother’s body deliberately reduces the protective properties of the immune system in order to eliminate the threat of miscarriage.

How to prepare tincture at home?

For preparation, you will need 100 g of dried plant roots, they must be crushed. If there are only fresh raw materials, this is either 50 g of fresh flowers and leaves. If only flowers or leaves are dried, you will need 25 g of them. The product is poured with 0.5 liters of vodka.

You need to infuse the medicine for 2 weeks in a cool, dark place. The container with the tincture is shaken periodically. When 2 weeks have passed, the liquid is filtered. Treatment with homemade tincture is usually 10-12 days of taking 20 drops 3 times a day, diluted in water.

How to brew echinacea

Echinacea is sold in pharmacies in the form of tablets, syrups, solutions and dry raw materials. From it you can make your own tincture for immunity - for this you need grass and high-quality vodka or 70-proof alcohol.

To prepare, take 200 g of raw materials and 500 ml of alcohol, pour into the plant and leave for 11 days in a dark, cool place. It is shaken every day, after which it is filtered and stored in a glass container so that it is not exposed to sunlight.

Alcohol tincture is best absorbed by the body, but it is recommended only for adults to take it. It is better for children to buy echinacea extract in another form and take it exclusively under medical supervision.

How to prepare a healing remedy at home

If you plan to make your own alcohol solution, you will need dried or fresh herbs. They use ready-made pharmaceutical raw materials, the flower is also grown in the garden - echinacea is unpretentious and does not require complex care.

With honey

This composition is suitable for treating children and is a prophylactic agent. It prevents colds, improves immunity, and also:

• normalizes sleep, calms;
• relieves lethargy and loss of strength;
• improves memory and attention.

Method of preparation and application:

Grind 100 g of dry herb to a powder, combine with 300 g of honey, mix and leave for 3-5 days. The finished mixture should be taken 1 tsp. 3 times a day with warm tea.

On vodka

If there is no alcohol, the medicine can be made from vodka and used to support immunity. For the solution you will need:

• aerial part of the plant – 100 g;
• vodka – 1 liter.

Preparation principle and application diagram:

Pour the extractant over the raw materials, then place the container with this solution in a cool, dark place for 14 days. After infusion, strain the mixture. This tincture should be drunk 20-30 drops three times a day.

How to take an alcoholic infusion of Echinacea

Instructions for use by adults in the treatment of respiratory infections prescribe the use of 15–25 drops three times a day. According to this scheme, take the solution for prevention during seasonal epidemics. For acute infections, at the beginning of the disease (the first 3 days), drink 40–50 drops once, then 10–20 every 50–55 minutes.

For pathologies of the digestive and urinary systems, take 40 drops of the solution, after 2 hours - another 20. Starting from the second day, drink three times a day 30 minutes before meals (dosage - 20). If you are intolerant to ethanol, replace the tincture with the preparations “Immunal”, “Echinacea Extract Solgar”, “Echinacin”.

For children's immunity

Due to the alcohol content, the drug is not prescribed to children. For them, tablets with echinacea extract (Doctor Theiss, Immunal, Estifan) will be safe analogues. Children over 12 years old are given 5-10 drops of tincture and diluted with water in a ratio of 1 to 2. The duration of the course of treatment is determined by the doctor depending on the severity of the disease and the characteristics of the body.

For preventive purposes, take the drug for 10–12 days, for therapeutic purposes – 14–20. Taking it for more than 8 weeks causes the development of complications.

External use

Pour 30 drops into 100 ml of saline and use for compresses and lotions. Apply gauze soaked in liquid, cover with polyethylene, and secure. Change the bandage twice a day. For laryngitis, pharyngitis, and sore throat, dilute 2 teaspoons of tincture in 200 ml of warm water, use 3 times a day to gargle a sore throat.

The plant can increase the immunity of animals. In veterinary medicine, the drug Echinacea compositum is used in ampoules for dogs.

Tinctures sold in pharmacies for pets are harmful and pose a health hazard.

How to brew a plant correctly

There are several recipes for preparing medicinal echinacea preparations with your own hands at home. Here are some of them:

• Recipe for making tea. To prepare it you will need a thermos, dry grass or crushed plant root and half a liter of boiling water. After an hour, you can start enjoying the healthy drink.
• Homemade echinacea tincture recipe. Pour 200 grams of fresh plant or 50 grams of dry extract with high-quality vodka. Place in a dark place for three weeks. It is necessary to shake the container periodically. Strain and take according to the traditional method, like a purchased tincture.
• Decoction recipe. Dry extract in the amount of one tablespoon, pour half a liter of boiling water and leave in a thermos for 7 - 8 hours. Strain and drink.

There are restrictions on taking the above drugs from the plant, these include diseases:

• Oncological in nature.
• HIV.
• Diabetes mellitus and heart diseases of the respiratory system, in the form of tuberculosis.
• Low blood pressure and atherosclerotic manifestations.

And:

• Pregnancy and breastfeeding.
• Combined use with corticosteroid drugs: ketoconazole, cyclosporine, etc.

The natural strength and power of Echinacea delights and surprises! She, being the very essence of nature, is called upon to help people; this modest resident of our fields, gardens and vegetable gardens is a real heroine in the fight for the immunity of the human body!

Recipes

To make the tincture, take 25 g of dried leaves and inflorescences and 0.5 liters of alcohol or vodka. Place the container in a dark place for 2-3 weeks, shake the liquid daily. Filter, take 20–25 drops three times a day before meals for 10 days to boost immunity and speed up recovery from respiratory infections.

Another method for infusion is to use 100 g of roots per 500 ml of alcohol. Place the jar in a closet or dark room and shake the mixture periodically. After 2 weeks, strain the solution and squeeze out the raw materials. Drink 15–20 drops 30 minutes before meals 3 times a day.

A tincture of leaves, buds and roots has a strong immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effect. To prepare, place finely chopped fresh raw materials in a glass jar, fill with alcohol in a ratio of 1 to 4. Place in a cool place away from the sun for a month. After filtering, pour into a dark glass bottle. Drink in courses to increase the body's immune defense during the cold season.

In the refrigerator, the tincture retains its healing properties for up to two years. For treating children, it is preferable to use an aqueous decoction. With the correct dosage, Echinacea brings benefits: it supports a weakened body, speeds up recovery from illness.

Echinacea tincture for immunity

If Echinacea tincture for immunity is chosen for treatment, how to take it depends on the person’s condition. For prevention and treatment, doses and frequency of administration are different. If you have doubts that the medicine has lost its properties, you can check its effectiveness by dropping a little on your tongue. If tingling or numbness occurs, then the drug is suitable. The tingling effect is provided by isobutylamides, which help white blood cells destroy bacteria.

Healing tincture of echinacea for immunity - how to take for adults:

1. The average dosage is 20-30 drops diluted with water.
2. Should be taken half an hour before meals, three times a day.
3. In difficult cases, it is prescribed to drink 20 drops up to 6 times a day for the first 3-4 days. For medicinal purposes, you can drink the tincture intermittently for about 2 months; such courses are conducted no more than 2 times a year.

Echinacea for immunity in adults – tea

A milder option that is offered even to children is snake root tea. Dry leaves and flowers from your own supplies should be stored in a fabric bag or glass. Fresh flowers are brewed immediately, put 1 inflorescence per 1 tbsp. boiling water, it is better to prepare the medicine in portions, in small quantities, then the drink is more effective. The optimal dosage of tea is 100 ml three times a day.

Recipe for drinking echinacea in tea to boost immunity for adults

Ingredients:

• dry echinacea – 1 tbsp. spoon;
• water – 500 ml.

Preparation, use

1. Pour the raw materials into a thermos with boiling water.
2. Leave for 3-4 hours, strain.
3. Drink in portions per day.

Echinacea for immunity tablets

Many people prefer the tablet form because it is more convenient to take than the tincture. How does Echinacea for immunity in adults in tablets differ from other drugs? In addition to snake root, the composition also includes sorbitol, magnesium stearate and flavorings, while the tincture additionally includes only ethyl alcohol. Because of this component, the tincture should not be taken by those who are driving, but tablets remove this prohibition.

Recommended drugs in tablets:

1. Echinacea P.
   Also includes vitamin C, which enhances the anti-inflammatory effect, B vitamins valuable for immunity, essential oils, glycosides, antibiotic polyacetylenes.
2. Immunal.
   Contains concentrated plant juice, which helps to significantly increase the number of leukocytes.
3. Immunorm.
   The composition and effects are similar to Immunal.

Echinacea for immunity in adults in drops

An analogue of the tincture is Echinacea for immunity in drops, based on 500 ml of plant extract, which includes stems, leaves and flowers, supplemented with glycerin, purified water and ethyl alcohol. It is recommended to shake the bottle before use to remove sediment. Since the composition contains concentrated plant juice, the medicine must be taken with water.

Recommendations for taking Echinacea drops:

• for prevention, drink 15-25 drops three times a day;
• at the beginning of the disease, drink 40-50 drops once a day;
• from 3-4 days, use 10-20 drops every hour.

When losing weight

The substances that make up echinacea help improve carbohydrate and lipid metabolism - these are inulin, caffeic acid, and some other components. Echinacea itself will not help you lose extra pounds, but it will enhance the effectiveness of other activities - basic diet and exercise. Echinacea-based tea will improve metabolism and remove harmful substances. Additionally, fresh echinacea herb and leaves can be used as a dietary supplement. For example, they make vegetable salads, mixing them with other healthy ingredients like chicory.

For oncology

The instructions indicate that Echinacea tincture should not be taken if you have cancer . However, it can be used during a course of chemotherapy.

When treated with antineoplastic drugs, the level of leukocytes in the patient’s blood sharply decreases and immunity suffers. And echinacea purpurea supports the body's defenses and eliminates adverse reactions. For an easy course of chemotherapy and restoration of strength after treatment, the tincture is consumed 4-5 times a day, 50-60 drops.

Attention! Many research materials indicate that the restorative as well as immunostimulating properties of echinacea are especially noticeable in the treatment of liver, brain and colorectal cancer. But if the tumor is in the process of development, the grass can provoke the growth of neoplasm.

For diabetes

There is no consensus regarding the use of Echinacea in the treatment of diabetes. Some herbalists believe that products based on this plant are generally contraindicated for diabetes. Others believe that echinacea tincture will be beneficial for this disease, but it should be used with caution. It is best to take a tincture of the root in alcohol for this - 60 drops per day, divided into 3 doses. Honey with echinacea should not be used for this disease.

For pancreatitis

Acute pancreatitis cannot be treated with home remedies; you should immediately seek qualified medical help. But in the chronic form of the disease, alcohol tincture of Echinacea will help relieve inflammation of the pancreas. To do this, on the first day, drink 40 drops of tincture at once, diluted with a small amount of water, then reduce the dosage to 20 drops - three times a day, half an hour before meals. The course of treatment is no more than 10 days, since otherwise blood pressure may increase significantly.

For gastritis

This disease means the presence of an inflammatory process in the gastric mucosa. During periods of exacerbation, echinacea is not used. During the period of remission, patients are given an alcoholic infusion of flowers and leaves of the plant, prepared according to the recipe below. However, some herbalists believe that an oil extract will be even more effective in such cases.

Take no more than 20 drops 3 times a day. In the same dosage, the drug is used for diseases such as stomach and intestinal ulcers, colitis, etc. The course can be repeated several times during the year, but only after consultation with a doctor and in the absence of diseases such as hypertension.

For atherosclerosis

It is recommended to take Echinacea tincture not only to improve immunity, but also to cleanse blood vessels. During life, the walls of the arteries become covered with a layer of calcareous deposits, narrow, and lose elasticity. Atheromatous plaques form on the inner surface, slowing down blood flow. As a result, a disorder of lipid and protein metabolism develops, and calcification leads to an aneurysm or blockage of blood vessels.

Attention! Echinacea tincture prevents the absorption of cholesterol, reduces the synthesis of lipids in the liver, and also accelerates their elimination from the body.

To dissolve and absorb cholesterol, it is enough to take 30-40 drops of liquid extract three times a day for 2-3 months. After a short break, treatment can be repeated.

At a temperature

Echinacea itself does not have a strong antipyretic effect. It is used in complex therapy of infectious diseases accompanied by high fever. To do this, take the infusion as described above for colds.

Treats skin diseases

Do not think that healing Echinacea tea is only drunk. In fact, it can also be used externally.

It relieves a variety of painful skin conditions. If you suffer from eczema, boils, psoriasis or hives, always have it on hand. Moreover, it also helps with abscesses, pimples, spots and cysts.

If you love lying in the sun, try rubbing echinacea tea on your face. Its antioxidants will delay the appearance of wrinkles and other signs of skin aging.

Eliminates infections

Echinacea tea helps treat urinary tract infections due to its antiviral and antibacterial effects.

It cleanses the liver, kidneys and lymphatic system with glands. Therefore, you can drink it for sore throat, swollen lymph nodes, prostate problems and tonsillitis.

Antiviral and antioxidant effects make it a good ally in the fight against viruses and herpes. Even vaginal yeast infections can be treated this way.

Natural sedative

In times of stress, there is nothing better than an energy booster to revitalize the body. This drink works great during chronic fatigue syndrome.

You can mix echinacea root with valerian root and make a tincture. Take it whenever you want to relax. In addition, it helps with itching and skin rashes.

Blank

Select two-year-old specimens. Cut the buds in July-August before opening. The leaves accumulate useful substances in the fall. Spread the grass in a thin layer in a place protected from direct sunlight. Ventilation is necessary to avoid mold and rot. Collect rhizomes after the aboveground part of the flower dies. After thoroughly washing and sorting the raw materials, cut into pieces.

When using a dryer or oven, maintain the temperature to +50 degrees. When the raw materials are dry, transfer them to glass jars with airtight lids. The shelf life of grass is 6 months, roots – 2-3 years.

Echinacea tea - beneficial properties

An experienced herbalist will tell you that echinacea is an indispensable remedy against colds. In addition, tea with echinacea improves blood quality and enriches the body with beneficial microelements.

Echinacea is recommended by cosmetologists who claim that the processed plant in a hot drink strengthens hair and nail plates. In a word, Echinacea tea is a panacea for many problems.

Let us highlight specific spheres of influence of the drink:

1. Improving blood clotting;
2. The lymphatic component of the body will be cleansed and return to normal;
3. The urinary ducts, along with the kidneys, will be renewed and begin to do their job better;
4. The respiratory tract will return to normal, diseases such as bronchitis, ARVI and pneumonia will no longer be a problem;
5. A special property of echinacea is the ability to absorb toxins and waste, removing excess from the liver and other organs. This feature is relevant in the post-holiday period, when an abundance of fatty and unhealthy foods unforgivably burdens the body. It is useful to give your body a rest and go on a diet; by including echinacea tea in your diet, you will take the right step towards health. The drink will return the former lightness and freshness of life.
6. Tea is recommended during seasonal flu epidemics. The decoction will have a complex effect on the body and will help you endure difficult times of illness with dignity.

We advise you to read: Echinacea for immunity is the best medicine for the human body
For older people, Echinacea comes in handy. The main ingredient will slow down aging and prolong dear youth. But, undoubtedly, tea will not replace traditional medicine. Even such a glorious infusion should be a component in the treatment of diseases. Do not neglect the advice of your doctor under any circumstances.

Echinacea for children and pregnant women

Echinacea is suitable for use even while expecting a baby. The main thing is to know when to stop and not to make the echinacea decoction too strong. Especially in the later stages, a decoction, in moderate dosages, will help make childbirth easier and improve blood flow. A child's health at any age will improve if he is given an echinacea decoction from time to time.

If your child picks up the virus in kindergarten or school, include echinacea in the treatment program, then the symptoms will go away and the child will recover. The taste, specific to children's perception, can be improved by adding honey, berry juice or whole fruits to the tincture.

Echinacea and linden for colds

Echinacea tea with linden is a combination that no cold can resist! Fragrant linden inflorescences have antipyretic, anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. Both plants have a beneficial effect on the human immune system. To obtain healing tea you need:

1. Pour 500 ml of hot boiled water into a thermos.
2. Add 1 tbsp. collection of echinacea and linden.
3. Leave for 1 hour.
4. Filter the infusion.
5. Drink the resulting drink one cup 2 times a day.

Linden increases sweating, which helps reduce temperature and increase the body's resistance to infections. It is especially recommended to use this tea recipe for bronchitis - the saponins it contains dilute mucus and help remove it faster. The drink also has a sedative and antispasmodic effect.

Eliminates infections

Echinacea tea helps treat urinary tract infections due to its antiviral and antibacterial effects.

It cleanses the liver, kidneys and lymphatic system with glands. Therefore, you can drink it for sore throat, swollen lymph nodes, prostate problems and tonsillitis.

Antiviral and antioxidant effects make it a good ally in the fight against viruses and herpes. Even vaginal yeast infections can be treated this way.

For immunity

It makes sense to try a recipe with these ingredients:

• 500 milliliters of boiling water;
• 1 dessert spoon of tea leaves.

Preparation

The difference from the previous method is that you need to set aside as much as 5 hours for the echinacea tincture; after this time, the decoction will be ready. In 5 hours, the liquid will be more saturated with useful elements. The drink can be used to combat acute respiratory viral infections and acute respiratory infections by drinking 300 grams of tea per day in 3 doses.

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Natural sedative

In times of stress, there is nothing better than an energy booster to revitalize the body. This drink works great during chronic fatigue syndrome.

You can mix echinacea root with valerian root and make a tincture. Take it whenever you want to relax. In addition, it helps with itching and skin rashes.

When else do you take Echinacea tea?

All the benefits of the drink do not end there. The herbal drink helps in the treatment of other diseases. These include syphilis, purulent fever, hemorrhoids, diphtheria and even cancer.

In addition, echinacea can relieve arthritis pain and muscle inflammation.

Echinacea Tea Recipes

Echinacea is a truly waste-free plant. Beneficial properties are contained in all parts of this perennial herb. You can put not only petals in tea or decoction, but also stems with leaves, and even roots.

This herb can be poured with boiling water, boiled over an open fire or steam bath, drunk hot or, conversely, cooled. Its beneficial qualities do not suffer at all from this; although for different purposes the method of brewing the healing infusion will vary.

You can drink Echinacea tea for no longer than 1 – 2 weeks in a row; after this you need to take a short break.

For a healthy person, the daily portion ranges from 1 to 2 glasses; and during a cold or other infectious disease, the amount of drink can be increased to 3 glasses per day. The exception is children. For them, the maximum daily dose is 1 glass of a weakly brewed drink.

Echinacea decoction to improve immunity

This recipe is especially relevant during the cold season. It requires:

• 1 tablespoon chopped herb;
• and 1 glass of boiling water.

Boil the herb in a water bath for 15 minutes, then remove from heat, let it brew for half an hour and strain. Bring the volume to 200 ml using boiled water. You need to drink this tea before meals, in the morning and evening, 50 ml (1/4 cup). After 10 days you need to take a break from taking it.

Immunomodulatory herbal tea

Echinacea can be used instead of tea. To do this, pour 1 tablespoon of dry herb into a glass of hot boiled water and leave covered for 30 minutes. After the infusion, you need to strain, squeeze out the raw materials and bring the volume with boiled water to 200 ml.

Take warm, 1/3 cup 3 times a day or 1/2 cup 2 times a day after meals.

Honey drink with echinacea

Honey, as you know, is another way to help your body resist colds. Why not combine the most beneficial qualities of these two products for humans?

Make echinacea tea. Pour 1-2 teaspoons of herb with a glass of boiling water and let it brew. The rules for drinking tea with honey also apply to herbal teas. Add honey immediately before drinking tea, and only to the cooled liquid: this will preserve its healing properties.

We advise you to read: Stevia tea: description, beneficial properties and recipes

Drink this tea before meals 2 times a day to support the immune system, speed up recovery from colds, and simply for prevention. But do not forget that such a drink may have individual contraindications.

Echinacea decoction

Decoctions should be prepared in a water bath, this way you can preserve the maximum amount of nutrients. For preparation, they take flowers or leaves of the plant, some mix them.

For 500 ml of water take 1 tbsp. a spoonful of raw materials. The mixture should be kept on the fire for no more than 20 minutes. Drink a quarter glass in the morning and evening. The decoction charges the body with energy and vigor, helps strengthen the immune system.

You can take 2 teaspoons of crushed leaves in 2 glasses of water. Prepare a decoction according to the above recipe. Take the useful product 30 ml three times a day. Helps relieve inflammation, remove excess fluid from the body, reduce swelling, and relieve headaches.

Echinacea tincture

Alcohol tincture is used to prevent viral diseases and strengthen the immune system. At home, you can use any part of the plant; in pharmacology, the roots are used.

• For 500 ml of vodka you need to take 50 g of crushed leaves of a fresh plant mixed with flowers.
• You can take 100 g of dry roots or 25 g of dried leaves.
• The raw materials are infused in alcohol for two weeks.
• All this time the mixture must be kept in a closet or pantry.
• It is recommended to shake the mixture periodically.

Take 20 drops three times a day for a course of 12 days. It is imperative to notify the attending physician about treatment and obtain his permission.

Harvesting buds

As soon as the plant blooms, you need to collect flowers from it. It is best to do this before the bud opens. This is explained by the fact that newly appeared flowers contain the most useful substances.

Harvesting leaves

Young green leaves can be harvested in spring and autumn. If the flower grows in the garden for the first year, then the leaves are harvested only in the fall.

Echinacea leaves and flowers should be dried in the shade. For convenience, the raw materials can be pre-ground. Well-dried leaves and buds are mixed and used to prepare decoctions and infusions.

Proper preparation of rhizomes

The roots are dug up in the fall. Before drying, they are washed well and crushed using pruning shears. They should be dried at a temperature of +40-+60 degrees. This process must be constantly monitored to ensure that the raw materials do not become moldy. Sufficiently dried roots should break well.

It is recommended to store the prepared raw materials in a dark place in an airtight jar.

Dosage

Echinacea tablets are prescribed to adults and adolescents over 12 years old, 1 piece. 3-4 times a day.

At 6-12 - 1 capsule 1-3 r. in a day.

Children 4-6 - 1 tablet. 1-2 r. in 24 hours.

The drug is recommended by many doctors for people prone to frequent colds, especially in autumn and winter. In such cases, it is necessary to take the medicine in advance (2-3 weeks before the expected start of the epidemic). To strengthen the immune system, one tablet is prescribed 3-4 times a day.

Good results are obtained from the drug at the onset of influenza and ARVI. In this case, in the first three to five days you need to take 2 tablets at a time. Afterwards the dose is gradually reduced.

Expert opinion

Immunologist Igor Butko often answers questions regarding boosting immunity. So, he says that there are products suitable for regular use, these are lemon, raspberries, viburnum. They can be constantly included in the diet, or you can “lean” heavily on them if, for example, you have communicated with someone who is sick and you risk getting infected from them.

But regarding echinacea, the specialist says that short-term use of the medicinal plant will not cause harm. And it’s better to drink it not in courses, but during cold symptoms. This will not disrupt the immune system or cause allergies. But many people consider the herb a panacea and take course after course, for six months at a time. It turns out that such an active “stimulation” of the immune system simply depletes it. It is not always necessary to stimulate the immune system and very precisely. The immunologist even compares the long-term use of immunostimulants to a whip that pushes an already well-running horse.

Regarding tinctures, Igor Butko notes: you cannot drink them for more than a month. Neither adults, nor, especially, children should be subjected to such “intensified” and completely unfounded therapy. This leads to a loss of sensitivity of the body to stimulation.

You will learn about other useful plants that have a beneficial effect on our immunity from the article: “Hers to boost immunity: how natural immunomodulators are useful.”

Echinacea is just one of the natural components that can help the body cope with viruses, colds, and fatigue. But it does not work according to the “more is better” principle; the use of echinacea should be reasonable and dosed.