The perennial plant Echinacea (Echinacea) is able to compete with some synthetic immunostimulants in terms of its ability to enhance human immunity. Before the discovery of antibiotics, it was the most sought-after means of suppressing infection. These and many other positive properties of the plant are still in demand by pharmacology. To take advantage of the potential of echinacea, people prepare tinctures, teas, tablets, drops from it. Details of preparation, as well as the rules of admission are set out on the pages of the instructions for use.
Composition and form of release
Echinacea tincture is presented in the form of a brownish-greenish or brownish-yellowish liquid. She spills in glass bottles 15, 25, 30, 40, 50 ml, which are placed in cardboard packaging. Useful properties of tincture are due to the following composition of echinacea:
Useful properties of components
The main useful property of echinacea, thanks to which the herb has received universal recognition and distribution in pharmacology, is an immunostimulating effect. In addition, the following useful benefits of the plant (flowers, herbs) are distinguished:
- the substances that make up the leaves of echinacea are able to remove radionuclides from the body, eliminate the effects of free radicals, and reduce the risk of cancer;
- the ability to cleanse the kidneys, liver and lungs from harmful substances accumulated during the life process;
- acceleration of tissue regeneration processes (wounds, fractures);
- obstacle to the aging process of the body;
- restoration of nails, skin, hair due to the content of polysaccharides;
- stimulation of male potency;
- opposition to visual impairment;
- removal of nervous irritation, fatigue;
- reduction of neoplasms;
- decrease in the increased number of leukocytes in the blood vessels;
- antioxidant echinacea inhibits the reproduction of viruses and coccal infections;
- betaine reduces the risk of stroke and heart attack.
Indications for use
The use of echinacea is justified to strengthen the immune system. Other indications for use from the instructions:
- prevention of acute viral and respiratory diseases;
- complex therapy for the initial signs of colds and flu;
- as an aid in recurrent infections of the respiratory, urinary tract;
- the need to stimulate the immune system;
- hepatitis, diabetes;
- an adjuvant for long-term antibiotic therapy of chronic infectious diseases.
Method of application and dosage
Echinacea is sold in capsules, tablets, tincture, drops, tea and filter bags. The plant has a pronounced effect on the body. Regular use of echinacea preparations prevents colds during epidemics, calms the nerves. An aqueous infusion of the plant is taken 8 drops by adults, 3-5 drops by children.
An oily infusion of inflorescences and raw roots is useful in tuberculosis. You can make it yourself or buy it at a pharmacy. To prepare 500 g of raw materials, pour 2.5 liters of unrefined sunflower oil, insist 30-40 days shake periodically. The filtered liquid is mixed with 2 liters of sea buckthorn berries, taken in a tablespoon three times a day.
Echinacea tablets
Echinacea extract in tablets is considered the easiest option to consume. They are meant to be absorbed. There are tableted pressed herbal raw materials for swallowing. Adults and children over 12 years old are given 1 tab. 3-4 times a day for a course of at least seven days. Instructions for use prohibit long-term use of the drug (over 8 weeks). Echinacea capsules are taken in 1 pc. twice a day with meals in a monthly course. It is repeated if necessary.
echinacea tea
Instructions for use of echinacea warns patients that the course of tea use should not exceed one month. It is best to buy ready-made tea in a pharmacy in sachets or filter bags. The brewed drink eliminates the consequences after taking antibiotics, prevents colds. To obtain tea, 2 tablespoons of raw materials are poured into 500 ml of boiling water, insisted for half an hour.
To prevent colds and improve immunity, you need to take 200 ml of tea per day in a monthly course. A decoction can also be used to eliminate joint pain, swelling, headache. To do this, a teaspoon of raw materials (leaves or inflorescences) is poured into a glass of boiling water and placed in a water bath for 15 minutes. After the liquid is filtered through gauze, cooled and taken 70 ml three times a day before meals. You can store the decoction for two days in the refrigerator.
According to the instructions, to eliminate diseases of the upper respiratory tract, chronic bronchitis and pneumonia, you can take a diluted decoction of echinacea. For this:
- A tablespoon of dried herbs or inflorescences is poured into a glass of hot water, heated in a water bath for 15 minutes, stirring often.
- After cooling and filtering, the resulting liquid is diluted with clean water to 200 ml.
- Take a tablespoon of tea three times a day.
Tincture
Extremely useful alcohol tincture of echinacea for immunity. She can treat gastritis, pancreatitis, kidney stones, papillomas in the vagina and other gynecological problems. Tincture is bought at a pharmacy or made independently. Recipes:
- Take 2 teaspoons of dried roots, mix with 100 ml of medical alcohol and insist for a week in a dark room. How to use:
- Before meals, 20 drops three times a day.
- Similarly, you can use alcohol tincture to eliminate ulcers, regulate metabolism during weight loss.
- It is more useful for men to use tincture from a fresh plant. The crushed stems and leaves are placed in a bottle, poured with vodka or alcohol so that their layer exceeds the level of plants by 2-3 cm. The product is infused for three weeks in a dark place. With prostatitis, the composition is taken daily, 30 drops in three doses for a monthly course.
- To strengthen the body during colds and normalize the reproductive female system, take 2 teaspoons of echinacea leaves, pour 100 ml of vodka, and stand for 2-3 weeks. You need to take half a teaspoon of the product half an hour before meals for 14 days.
- From meningitis, you need to take 30 drops of the composition, dissolved in water or tea, three times a day.
- For the prevention of diseases, take 20-30 drops daily three times a day (do not swallow, keep in the mouth for a short time), in acute conditions you need to take 50 drops, then every 1-2 hours - 10-20 drops, a course of no more than 8 weeks .
echinacea drops
Echinacea purpurea tincture is as useful as drops. According to the instructions, they are prescribed for oral administration after eating, diluted in 50-100 ml of water. Adviсe:
- In the acute period of the disease (the first 3-5 days), it is supposed to drink 30-40 drops of 3-4 doses per day.
- To maintain the effect - 20-30 drops 3-4 times a day for a course of 14 days.
- The maximum single dose is 60 drops, daily - 240 drops (12 ml).
- If necessary and in agreement with the doctor, the course is extended to 1-1.5 months.
Side effects and contraindications
Taking echinacea, you must be prepared for the fact that the herb can cause side effects such as lowering blood pressure (relevant for those suffering from hypertension), dizziness, flushing, swelling of the face and shortness of breath. Echinacea also has contraindications for use. So, the instructions say that it can not be used:
- in case of hypersensitivity to the components of the composition, plants of the Compositae family (chamomile, daisy, arnica, marigolds);
- systemic connective tissue diseases, progressive tuberculosis, widespread atherosclerosis, leukemia;
- autoimmune diseases, multiple sclerosis;
- HIV infection, AIDS;
- children under 12 years of age;
- pregnancy, lactation (the safety of the drug is unknown).
Terms of sale and storage
Echinacea should be stored away from light at a temperature of 15-25°C. The shelf life varies depending on the preparation technology and ranges from 1.5 to 3 years, according to the instructions.
