From Treating Cold To Cancer, Here are 12 Health Benefits of Echinacea

If you’ve researched antiviral herbs that help to combat the common cold or flu, you probably came across echinacea - a powerful plant that’s currently booming in the natural health market.

Why the surging popularity in this magnificently attractive flower? Because echinacea benefits our health and well-being like few plants on the planet. Now that’s something to get behind.

Once known as an alternative way to prevent the common cold, now echinacea is quickly becoming known for multiple uses and benefits - from combating cancer to alleviating pain.

Echinacea is a native North American coneflower that was discovered and used as a traditional herbal remedy for more than 400 years by the Great Plains Indian tribes. Technically classified as an herb, several species of the echinacea plant are used to make medicine from its flowers, leaves and roots.

# Fights the Flu

The flu is a virus which can vary in degrees of seriousness. It can be a minor inconvenience for some, whilst it can also be potentially life-threatening for those with a weaker immune system. Therefore, preventing and being able to fight the flu is crucial.

Echinacea tea can help to decrease the chances of contracting the flu and can make sure you suffer for a shorter period of time if you do pick up the virus. It is thought that it could also help to increase the effectiveness of the flu vaccine.

# Control Blood Sugar

Echinacea has astounding antioxidant properties which help to prevent your blood sugar spiking, this is highly important if you suffer from diabetes. It also prevents your blood sugar levels dropping the other way too, meaning your blood sugar is healthily maintained.

# Healthy Cell Growth

Thanks to its antioxidant properties, echinacea can also help to repair any damaged cells. It also helps to protect your cells from damage by free radicals and other toxins. You can drink echinacea tea or take an Echinacea supplement in order to benefit from these effects.

# Reduced Risk of Cancer

Because echinacea works as an antioxidant it can also help to reduce your risk of cancer. This is because it protects your cells from the damage caused by free radicals. This, in turn, reduces the risk of them replicating uncontrollably as your DNA remains undamaged.

Not only that but if you’re undergoing cancer treatment, echinacea could help reduce many of the side effects by boosting your immune system. Furthermore, studies have shown that echinacea can block the spread of cancer by slowing down the growth of malevolent tumors.

# Manage Anxiety

One famous Echinacea health benefit is its use as an anti-anxiety medication. It is often used by people with anxiety to help calm their symptoms. This is because it helps to regulate the communication between the brain and the body, limiting the physical effects of anxiety.

# Lowers Blood Pressure

Some studies have also suggested that Echinacea can help to lower high blood pressure. This is likely to be because of its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

# Boosts the Immune System

One of the great, all-around health benefits of Echinacea is that it promotes better overall immune function. It does this by reducing inflammation and blocking infectious diseases. It also helps to increase your body’s production of white blood cells which means your immune system is more primed to fight any potential infections.

Taking an echinacea supplement or drinking tea containing the herb can help to fight viral infections by inhibiting inflammatory molecules.

# Functions as a Laxative

If you’re struggling with constipation, echinacea could help! Like many herbs, it’s a natural laxative which helps to loosen the bowels and help you pass stools more easily.

# Reduces Inflammation

Because of its clinically proven anti-inflammatory properties, Echinacea is often suggested as a home remedy for a number of conditions including arthritis, Crohn’s Disease, and ulcers.

# Treat Bug Bites and Stings

Echinacea has many health benefits for the skin. Grind the herb with some water to make a paste and apply this to the bite or sting. This should relieve some of the pain and reduce the swelling and redness.

# Soothes Eczema

An echinacea paste can also be used to soothe an eczema rash. This is again thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties.

# Improve Psoriasis

A further health benefit of the anti-inflammatory qualities of echinacea is that it can improve an existing psoriasis condition. By soothing the irritated skin, echinacea helps to relieve some of the pain and itchiness that psoriasis can cause.