""Echinacea is an herb which has recently received a lot of recognition because of its positive effects on the immune system. Echinacea is a member of the daisy family. It is native to the North American Continent and has been used by the American Indians for hundreds of years. In the mid 1800's a German physician, Dr. H. C. F. Meyer, was introduced to echinacea by the Pawnee Indians living in Nebraska. He discovered the virtues of echinacea and introduced it to the medical profession in the 1870's. Orthodox medicine criticized it and the American Medical Journal declared it as a "quack remedy"> Echinacea was surrounded by controversy until the early 1900's. Since that time it has become known as the "king of blood purifiers" and one of the most popular herbs on the market.
Echinacea has been called "the natural antibiotic" and is actually more effective than antibiotics when fighting infections. The majority of prescribed antibiotics only fight bacterial infections and don't have the capacity to kill viruses.
For example, when a doctor prescribes an antibiotic for strep throat, he doesn't know what organism caused the sore throat unless a throat culture is ordered. If the sore throat was caused by a virus, antibiotics will have little or no effect. Also, antibiotics tear down and weaken the immune system.
Another downfall of antibiotics is that they fight and kill all bacteria they come in contact with unless the bacteria is resistant to that antibiotic. Antibiotics destroy good, harmless bacteria in the body that carry out normal body functions. The bacteria in your colon (called floura) are hit the hardest because they are not resistant to antibiotics. Echinacea also kills bacteria when it comes in contact with it, without doing harm to intestinal floura. Echinacea also kills viral and fungal infections.
Not only does echinacea help to fight off and kill infection, but more importantly, it helps to stimulate and strengthen the immune system. Your immune system will then attack the infection more quickly and more effectively. The immune system is stimulated in the following ways: First, echinacea stimulates antibody binding sites.
Antibodies are sticky projections that stick to the infectious invaders and "tag" them. Second, echinacea stimulates the production of white blood cells. Echinacea stimulates two types of white blood cells: Neutophils and t-lymphocytes. Neutrophils are the soldiers which help your body to fight the war against bacterial infections. With more soldiers, the body is able to defeat the enemy more quickly.
Echinacea also stimulates the production of %-lymphocytes which fight viral infections. Both neutrophils and T-lymphocytes find, surround, and then digest "tagged" intruders. The body is able to respond more quickly because the white blood cells now recognize and attack the "tagged" bacteria. These qualities make echinacea one of the most powerful and effective remedies against all kinds of bacterial and viral infections. The quicker the body defenses are deployed into action, and the greater numbers that are sent out, the quicker you will recover. This gives the infection less of a chance to gain a foot hold and spread throughout the body.
Echinacea also removes toxins from the blood.
After the war has been won, there is a lot of clean up work that needs to be done. Echinacea helps to increase lymphatic filtration and drainage.
This drainage is important in order to remove debris from the battlefield and get it out of the way to allow the healing process to occur. Echinacea enhances the healing process in three ways: First, echinacea inhibits hyaluronidase. This enzyme causes the spread of bacteria. Thus, echinacea slows the production of bacteria.
Second, echinacea stimulates the production of fibroblasts. Fibroblasts form new collagen fibers which eventually become new functional tissue. Third, echinacea contains vitamins A, C, and E. These three vitamins are powerful antioxidants. All of these benefits help to decrease inflammation and speed up the healing process.
Echinacea is important to take internally when you have a cold or the flu. It is also good to use externally when you have sores, wounds, or infections anywhere on your body. Things such as snake, insect, and spider bites respond quickly to echinacea. It can also be applied to poison oak and ivy, cuts, abbesses and boils. Echinacea is most effective when taken internally and externally in the case of such emergencies. Echinacea is completely non toxic so it can be taken in high doses and frequently when needed.
Indications for taking echinacea:
-colds and the flu
-acne
-tonsillitis
-infected sores
-strep throat (gargle then swallow)
-fever
-teeth and gun disease
-gangrene
-boils
-snake bites
-insect/spider bites
-prostrate disease
-abscesses
Suggested Use/Dosage
The most popular varieties of echinacea are E. Angustifolia, E. Purpurea, and E. Pallida. They all stimulate the immune system in different ways. For maximum benefit it is best to find a source which has all three species if possible.
CAUTION: Another name for E. Angustifolia is Kansas snake root. Missouri snake root is sometimes mistakenly sold as echinacea because it is cheaper. Do not be FOOLED!
For acute infection/bite with aggravated symptoms:
-1 to 2 drops every 2 hours
For early symptoms of the flue or for colds:
-3 to 4 drops daily
For preventative measures/chronic conditions (2 months or more)
-1 to 2 drops daily""
Source of Post
http://www.drksmith.com/echinacea.htm
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