Echinacea Tea

Tea Name: Echinacea Tea

Also known as: Coneflower, purple coneflower, American coneflower, echinacea angustifolia, echinacea pallida, and echinacea purpurea

Echinacea tea comes from a flowering herb that has conical shaped purple flowers.

It can be found growing in the wild but also in gardens as it is valued for its beauty.

The tea can be a mixture of different varieties of the Echinacea family using the stems, leaves and flowers.

Echinacea angustifolia, echinacea pallida, and echinacea purpurea are some of the family members that are used for the medicinal qualities found in this herb.

This herb is native to North America and has a long history of use for medicinal purposes.

Home Remedies using Echinacea Tea:

Benefits and Uses of Echinacea Tea:

Echinacea tea was used by Native peoples in America for hundreds of years for colds and infections and as an overall herb for health. The settlers noticed the usage of the herb and then employed it like an antibiotic. It was used for Scarlett fever, a tonic for the blood and venereal diseases like syphilis.

It reached a level of popularity that fell when antibiotics were created. Today it again has risen as a more familiar choice for the common cold and as a detoxifier as people look to other remedies besides antibiotics.

Echinacea tea is found to decrease inflammation and help with the common cold.  Studies show that is does not prevent a cold. It is commonly used at the onset of a cold to decrease symptoms during a cold and to hasten the recovery time.

It has antioxidant and anti viral qualities that can decrease glandular swelling that can be found in sore throats or flu's. It can help with urinary tract infections and other infections like athlete's foot, vaginal infections and ear infections.

Echinacea tea can boost and enhance the immune system and is full of antioxidants that can fight against the damage caused by free radicals.

Some of the health benefits of this tea are because it contains B vitamins as well as iron, calcium and zinc to name a few. There is also the presence of vitamin C and beta-carotene.

When used topically the tea can help with skin issues like boils, acne and inflammations. It can also help with wounds and has been used to fight MRSA which is a staph infection that if severe can prove difficult to treat.

The tea can be used as a mouth wash and mixed into toothpaste to help with gum issues like gingivitis.

Side Effects of Echinacea Tea:

It is considered likely safe for short term use.

Pregnant or breastfeeding women should avoid echinacea usage due to lack of information.

May interact with other herbs and cause an allergic reaction to those already allergic to mums, daises, marigolds and ragweed.

May adversely affect the immune system in a weakened state such as with AIDS HIV and liver disorders.

Please consult with a doctor before use.