Echinacea Purpurea Extract

Species Name: Echinacea Purpurea

Also Known As: Eastern Purple coneflower or purple coneflower

This perennial herb is native to Midwestern North America. The plant has tall flower stems, each with a single pink or purple flower with a purple to brown central cone. This cone is a seed head. The plant gets its name from the sharp spines emanating from this seed head that resemble a hedgehog. Echinos is the Greek word for hedgehog.

What is Echinacea Purpurea Extract? Echinacea extract can be made solely from the root, the parts of the plant above ground, or a combination of both. The chemicals from the two parts differ greatly. The roots contain a high concentration of volatile oils, the above-ground stems, leaves and flowers have polysaccharides which are beneficial to the immune system.

Home Remedies Using Echinacea Purpurea Extract:

Benefits of Echinacea Purpurea Extract:

Some research points to extracts made from the above ground portion being more effective. There are actually three species of Echinacea that are used in many supplements.

These are: Echinacea angustifolia, Echinacea pallida, and Echinacea purpurea. Different parts of the plants are used in different brands of extracts. And in some extracts two or three species may be combined.

The benefits derived from Echinacea extract use may vary based on which species is utilized and which parts of the plant have been used in manufacturing. It is very important to know what you are buying and make sure it is from a reliable source.

One study performed by an independent company that tests the purity of health, wellness, and nutrition products, ConsumerLab.com, found the following, “Of 11 brands of Echinacea purchased for testing, only 4 contained what was stated on their labels.

About 10% had no Echinacea at all; half were mislabeled as to the species of Echinacea in the product; and more than half of the standardized preparations did not contain the labeled amount of active ingredients.”

Echinacea extract is often used to combat colds and the flu. It is helpful in reducing symptoms like cough, fever, and sore throat. This extract is often utilized to help the body fight off infections and strengthen the immune system.

Echinacea is also thought to have hormonal, antioxidant, and antiviral properties. It is often used to treat vaginal yeast infections, ear and urinary tract infections, as well as athlete’s foot, hay fever, and sinusitis. This extract can relive pain, reduce inflammation, and is sometimes used to treat slow-healing wounds.

Side Effects of Echinacea Purpurea Extract:

Because Echinacea is believed to support and strengthen the immune system, those taking medications intended to suppress the immune system should not take Echinacea. This means that anyone taking immunosuppressant medications for organ transplant, should not take this herb.

Avoid Echinacea if you have diabetes, leukemia, tuberculosis, connective tissue disorders, HIV, AIDS or any autoimmune disease. Those with liver disorders or multiple sclerosis should not take Echinacea.

Echinacea can cause a temporary numbness or tingling of the mouth and tongue if taken orally.