In the family of astroids, there is a surprisingly beautiful flower, which has a petal color ranging from a pink to a purple hue. So it looks like echinacea - the medicinal properties of this plant are widely used in traditional medicine for the production of pharmaceuticals that strengthen the immune system. Phytotherapists also do not overlook it, making medicines from different parts of the flower.
Therapeutic properties of the Echinacea plant
The valuable qualities of the described organic raw materials are due to its unique chemical composition. Useful as the leaves with flowers, and the roots of the plant, but the latter contain the maximum number of the following components:
- polysaccharides;
- essential oils;
- microelements;
- glucose;
- echinacoside;
- betaine;
- tannins;
- glycosides;
- flavonoids;
- saponins;
- minerals;
- inulin;
- resins;
- phytosterols;
- echinacin;
- polyenes and others.
Due to the complex effect of the listed ingredients, such medicinal properties of flowers and roots of Echinacea have been found:
- immunomodulating;
- antiviral;
- bacteriostatic;
- fungicidal;
- antirheumatic;
- wound healing;
- antiallergic;
- biostimulating;
- detoxification;
- antisclerotic.
In addition to the known variety of the represented plant, there is another, less common form, having a yellow or bright orange color of the petals. This flower is called rudekia and so far it is not used in the domestic pharmacological industry, since its chemical composition is poorly understood. But the healing properties of Echinacea purpurea and yellow are similar in many respects. Like the above plant, rudekia has pronounced immunostimulating characteristics. Traditional healers also note the following properties of the flower:
- anti-inflammatory;
- wound healing;
- antispasmodic;
- diuretic.
From rudekii, preparations are prepared for the therapy of inflammation of the uterus and vagina, respiratory and urinary system diseases, chronic fatigue syndrome.
Therapeutic properties of Echinacea tablets
Often presented phytochemicals can be found in pharmacies in the form of pills and capsules. Tablet echinacea is positioned as an organic immunostimulating drug. According to the instructions, it increases the activity of macrophages and neutrophils, intensifies the production of interleukin, improves the function of helper cells.
It is established that regular intake of tablets helps prevent infection with herpes and influenza viruses. In addition, their use makes it possible to suppress the multiplication of pathogenic bacteria, to prevent the attachment of a secondary infection.
Sometimes the described form of echinacea is prescribed in the form of an auxiliary agent with prolonged antibacterial therapy , chronic diseases of the viral etiology.
Therapeutic properties of tincture of Echinacea
In comparison with tablets, the alcoholic infusion of the juice of the presented plant is of low cost, but it is not inferior in terms of efficiency.
Tincture of echinacea shows immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory and haemostatic properties. It also suppresses the activity of fractions containing free radicals, providing an antioxidant effect.
This drug not only strengthens the immune system and serves as an excellent prophylaxis of viral diseases, but also produces an antibacterial effect, stimulates cell regeneration processes.
Spirituous tincture of echinacea is prescribed for maintenance treatment in chronic recurrent pathologies of the urinary and respiratory system, prevention during epidemics of influenza.