Echinacea: what are the properties of this plant?

Echinacea is a type of plant that has been used to treat cold symptoms and other disorders of the immune system, including some as serious as cancer; however, the available research does not support the efficacy of this plant for any therapeutic application.

In this article we will analyze the uses, side effects and therapeutic efficacy of echinacea from the studies that have been carried out around this natural remedy.

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What is echinacea?

Plants of the genus Echinacea are native to North America. Since ancient times, various healing properties have been attributed to them; Thus, the Pawnee Indians used echinacea for headaches and the Lakotah as an analgesic. general, while the Kiowa and Cheyenne tribes used it for colds and sore throats. throat.

There are nine species of plant that are categorized in the genus Echinacea.. The two most used as dietary supplements are Echinacea purpurea and Echinacea angustifolia; we also find Echinacea pallida, paradoxa, simulata, atrorubens, laevigata, sanguinea and tennesseensis.

Oral consumption (mainly in the form of tea and juice) and the use of echinacea as a medicine are carried out from the preparation of its roots and its flowers, or from extracts from other parts of its organism. Sometimes the segments of the plant are left to dry, while in other cases they are used fresh and recently extracted.

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What is it for?

Currently, echinacea is used to treat different types of physical disorders. The most common applications of these plants include the treatment of the common cold, although various other properties have also been described. In this sense echinacea is consumed as a nutritional supplement or applied to the skin in topical format.

Thus, some echinacea medicines are used to treat skin problems; It is common for these types of products to be applied to prevent infections in recent wounds, among other uses. There are even those who have come to affirm that echinacea can be used as remedy for very serious immune disorders, particularly cancer.

This last application is related to the belief that echinacea has stimulating effects on the immune system, making your activity more effective in fighting all types of infections, including those associated with colds and colds

On the other hand, some species of echinacea are also used with some frequency for decorative purposes, especially in gardens. Echinacea is also planted with the aim of rehabilitate damaged or impoverished natural areas, particularly grasslands; These are plants that reproduce quickly and with flowers that are highly resistant to weather and seasons.

Does it really have therapeutic effects?

Most of the research on the efficacy of echinacea as a medicine has been carried out in relation to its most common application: the treatment of the common cold. However, we still need more scientific studies to be able to reliably assess the possible therapeutic effects of echinacea in other disorders.

The results of the available studies reliably state that echinacea does not reduce the duration of cold symptoms once the cold has occurred. In this sense, the efficacy of echinacea to treat colds would be similar to that of placebo.

At the moment it is not clear if this plant can be useful to prevent colds; some research suggests that it might have this effect to some degree, although it has not been definitively proven. At present, the possible active components and the action of the echinacea bacteria in the human immune system are being analyzed.

On the other hand, the British Cancer Research UK Foundation stated in a 2012 study that there is no proof of the efficacy of echinacea in treating cancer. The same happens with the use of this plant to minimize the side effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

Side effects and adverse reactions

The effects of products containing echinacea can vary significantly based on a number of factors. Not only are the species or part of the plant used relevant, but also the rest of the components that make up the product in question.

Research suggests that echinacea is fairly safe for most people in the short term, although its long-term effects have not been studied. When adverse reactions appear, the most common affect the gastrointestinal system; For example, nausea, vomiting and stomach pain are relatively common.

In some cases, allergic reactions appear that can reach a significant degree of severity. These types of physiological responses are more frequent in predisposed people and those who have other different allergies.

It should be noted that in many cases dietary supplements and echinacea remedies or medications have not been manufactured in a regulated way, and it is also very common that they have not been tested on human beings before being traded. Therefore, caution should be advised when using products with echinacea.