Useful properties and contraindications of echinacea, side effects. Echinacea: medicinal properties and contraindications

Russian name

Latin name for Echinacea

Pharmacological group of the substance Echinacea

Nosological classification (ICD-10)

Characteristics of the substance Echinacea

Echinacea ( Echinacea Moench) is a perennial herbaceous plant from the Aster family (Compositae) - Asteraceae (Compositae).

Echinacea purpurea ( Echinacea purpurea(L.) Moench.) and Echinacea pallidum ( Echinacea pallida Nutt.) - herbaceous plants with a height of 50-100 and 60-90 cm, respectively. Echinacea angustifolia DC) has a lower stem, up to 60 cm high.

Herb, rhizomes and roots of echinacea are used as medicinal raw materials in fresh or dried form.

Echinacea purpurea herb contains polysaccharides (heteroxylans, arabinoramnogalactans), essential oils (0.15-0.50%), flavonoids, hydroxycinnamic (chicory, ferulic, coumaric, caffeic) acids, tannins, saponins, polyamines, echinacin (polyunsaturated acid amide ), echinolone (unsaturated ketoalcohol), echinacoside (a glycoside containing caffeic acid and catechol), organic acids, resins, phytosterols; rhizomes and roots - inulin (up to 6%), glucose (7%), essential and fatty oils, phenolcarboxylic acids, betaine, resins. All parts of the plant contain enzymes, macro- (potassium, calcium) and microelements (selenium, cobalt, silver, molybdenum, zinc, manganese, etc.).

In medical practice, tinctures, decoctions and extracts of echinacea are used. On an industrial scale, mainly drugs are produced based on the juice or extract of the herb Echinacea purpurea.

Pharmacology

Promotes the activation of non-specific factors of body defense and cellular immunity, improves metabolic processes. Stimulates bone marrow hematopoiesis, increases the number of leukocytes and cells of the reticuloendothelial system of the spleen. It increases the phagocytic activity of macrophages and granulocyte chemotaxis, promotes the release of cytokines, increases the production of interleukin-1 by macrophages, accelerates the transformation of B-lymphocytes into plasma cells, enhances antibody formation and T-helper activity.

The use of the substance Echinacea

Immunodeficiencies caused by acute infectious diseases (prevention and treatment): colds, influenza, infectious and inflammatory diseases of the nasopharynx and oral cavity. Recurrent infections of the respiratory and urinary tract (as part of complex therapy); as an auxiliary drug for long-term antibiotic treatment: chronic infectious and inflammatory diseases (polyarthritis, prostatitis, gynecological diseases).

Local treatment: long-term non-healing wounds.

Contraindications

Hypersensitivity (including to plants of the Compositae family), progressive systemic and autoimmune diseases, incl. tuberculosis, leukemia, collagenosis, HIV infection or AIDS, multiple sclerosis, widespread atherosclerosis.

Application restrictions

Use during pregnancy and lactation

Use with caution during pregnancy and while breastfeeding.

Side effects of Echinacea

Allergic reactions (hyperemia, skin rash, swelling of the face, shortness of breath, decreased blood pressure).

Interaction

It is possible to reduce the effectiveness of the simultaneous use of echinacea and immunosuppressive agents. Clinically significant interactions have been noted with simultaneous use with cephalosporin derivatives (cefamandol, cefotetan, cefmenoxime, cefoperazone, moxalactam) and alcohol (even in small amounts). The patient's reaction was characterized by facial hyperemia, nausea, sweating, headache, tachycardia. Echinacea should not be taken within 3 days after the end of the course of treatment with the above cephalosporin derivatives.

Overdose

Symptoms: nausea, vomiting, stool disturbance, insomnia, irritability.

Treatment: symptomatic.

Various preparations made on the basis of plant extracts have a minimum number of contraindications and effectively treat diseases that a person has, improve well-being, and strengthen. One such remedy is echinacea tincture, a powerful immunostimulant. The raw material used for the preparation of the tincture, echinacea purpurea, contains a large amount of macro- and microelements, as well as essential oils. Due to the rich composition, medicines based on this plant have a beneficial effect on the organs and systems of the body. When taking echinacea tincture, they achieve immunomodulatory, tonic, regenerating effects.

The main properties of the drug

Echinacea purpurea tincture is a drug that is used to strengthen the immune system, recuperate after long-term illnesses and taking medications, treat diseases of the skin, as well as the gastrointestinal tract.

The medicinal product contains 20 g of purple echinacea roots for every 100 ml. Ethyl alcohol (60%) acts as an auxiliary component. The tincture is a yellow-brown liquid that has a spicy taste and a specific smell.

Valuable substances contained in the rhizomes of the plant can stimulate the production of leukocytes - the constituent blood cells that take part in the fight against foreign organisms that provoke various diseases and reduce defenses. The use of echinacea tincture on a regular basis increases the body's resistance to various infections, resistance to adverse environmental factors.

The drug can be used both for the treatment and for the prevention of a number of diseases. This is due to the following properties of the tincture:

• neutralization of pathogenic microflora;
• increase in protective forces;
• containment of the development of tumor neoplasms;
• providing a healing action;
• removal of salts of heavy metals from the body;
• stress relief of the central nervous system;
• stabilization of the functioning of the organs of internal secretion.

Echinacea alcohol tincture is used for:

• prevention of respiratory viral infections during the flu season;
• treatment of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract as part of complex therapy;
• strengthening immunity and improving the condition in various skin diseases, including inflammatory processes;
• treatment of diseases of the kidneys and urinary tract;
• normalization of the state in case of metabolic disorders;
• prevention of the development of pathologies of the cardiovascular system;
• accelerating the process of tissue regeneration with long-term non-healing wounds, burns,;
• treatment of inflammatory and infectious processes in the oral cavity;
• restoration of immunity and functioning of internal organs after radiation therapy or treatment of oncological diseases with chemical preparations.

Echinacea tincture for immunity and treatment of various diseases of internal organs is used as an additional remedy as part of complex therapy.

The use of echinacea tincture can be oral and local, depending on what disease or pathological process the patient has.

Note! Echinacea practically does not cause allergic manifestations, but you should consult a specialist before using the tincture.

How to use the tincture

It is important to know how to take echinacea tincture correctly. The dosage depends on the purpose for which this drug is used. It should be taken into account that, if there are indications for the use of echinacea tincture, the duration of therapy and dosage is determined by the doctor. Treatment should not continue for more than 8 weeks. This is due to the fact that the drug is the strongest, so its effect on the human immune system can be unpredictable.

Adults when taking tincture should adhere to the following schemes:

• with general weakness, as well as a decrease in efficiency caused by immunosuppression, it is recommended to take 30 drops of the drug once a day, in the morning, immediately after waking up;
• in the presence of diseases of the digestive tract and pathologies of the genitourinary system, in the morning, on an empty stomach, take 40 drops of the drug. 2 hours later, drink another 20 drops. The next day and during further therapy, take 20 drops daily three times a day;
• in case of diseases of the respiratory system, the recommended dosage is 5-15 drops. The frequency of receptions is three times a day. If necessary, in the first three days of treatment, the number of doses is increased up to 6 times a day.

Note! It is recommended to drink echinacea tincture after dissolving the drops in a glass of water, especially if the herbal remedy is used to treat children.

Instructions for use of the medicine indicate that there are certain restrictions for children. So, they can be given tincture only from the age of 12, and the allowable dosage should not exceed 5-15 drops, which are taken 2-3 times a day. Restrictions are due to the fact that the components of the herbal medicine can cause allergic reactions in babies.

There are cases when preparations based on echinacea for raising immunity were prescribed to children from the age of one year. In this case, we are talking about syrups or tablets, which do not contain alcohol, unlike tinctures. Treatment of young children with natural immunostimulants is carried out under the constant supervision of a pediatrician.

For children over the age of 3, echinacea can be used as a decoction, syrup, and tablets. The decoction is also used as a compress: a linen napkin is moistened with it and applied to the back or chest area for respiratory diseases.

Natural immunomodulators are prescribed to children of any age exclusively by the attending physician.

Contraindications

The phytopreparation, made on the basis of echinacea rhizomes, has certain contraindications for taking. These should include the following:

• individual intolerance to the components of the drug;
• the period of pregnancy and breastfeeding;
• dysfunction of the immune system;
• widespread;
• systemic pathologies of connective tissue;
• blood diseases;
• children's age up to 12 years.

Note! In case of an overdose, adverse reactions are likely in the form of rashes on the skin, a decrease in arterial, itching, swelling of facial tissues.

How to make echinacea tincture at home

You can use a ready-made phytopreparation, which is sold in every pharmacy, or you can prepare an echinacea tincture at home. With the help of well-known recipes, this is quite simple to do. You can prepare a decoction based on the flowers or leaves of the plant, as well as a tincture from its roots.

Preparing a decoction does not take much time and effort. To do this, you need to take a tablespoon of crushed flowers, pour half a liter of water, boil it all in a water bath for 20 minutes. Such a tool is suitable for the prevention of viral and infectious diseases, increasing immunity, giving vigor and energy.

How to make echinacea tincture at home? It will take 100 g of dry roots of the plant, previously crushed, or 50 g of crushed fresh leaves and flowers. Raw materials must be poured with half a liter of vodka. The drug should be infused for 14 days, leaving the container in a dark place and periodically shaking its contents. Then the tincture must be filtered, after which it is completely ready to receive. You need to drink 20 drops of the resulting remedy three times a day, before the main meals. The course of treatment is 10-12 days. The possibility of extending the duration of therapy should be agreed with the doctor.

As for the intake of homemade tincture by children, this issue should also be discussed with a specialist.

Cost and manufacturers of the drug

One of the most popular echinacea-based remedies is Dr. Theiss tincture. The drug has received many positive reviews, which indicate that it has a positive effect in 80% of cases. The price of the phytopreparation "Doctor Theiss" is about 220 rubles.

Another commonly used remedy is Echinacea-galenopharm tincture from the St. Petersburg pharmaceutical factory. The cost is about 150 rubles.

Natural immunomodulators are agents that can be used as an additional agent in the complex therapy of various diseases of internal organs. It is important to remember that echinacea tincture is prescribed for children over the age of 12 years. Adults during treatment with herbal medicine should follow the dosage to avoid side effects.

– a real gift of nature to man. Everything is useful in it: roots, stems, leaves, and inflorescences. In addition, she is unusually beautiful, her bright large inflorescences are a true decoration for the garden. Let's talk about the beneficial properties of echinacea and contraindications to its use, consider how to harvest and store raw materials, and also briefly find out which echinacea has a chemical composition.

The chemical composition of echinacea

The aerial part of echinacea is rich in polysaccharides (heteroxylans, arabinorhamnogalactans), essential oils, organic acids, flavonoids, tannins, hydroxycinnamic acids (ferulic, chicory, coumaric, coffee), polyamines, saponins, echinacin, echinolone, echinacoside (a glycoside containing caffeic acid and catechol), resins and phytosterols. The rhizome contains inulin, betaine, glucose, phenolcarboxylic acids, essential and fatty oils, and resins. Each part of echinacea contains enzymes, antioxidants, organic acids, vitamins A, E, C, macro- (calcium, potassium) and microelements (selenium, cobalt, silver, molybdenum, zinc, manganese).

Did you know? The Indians called echinacea "evening sun". They used it for bites of poisonous insects and snakes, and from here the plant also received the name "snake root".

Medicinal properties of echinacea

The range of medicinal properties of echinacea is very large. It is endowed with antiviral, antifungal, immune system strengthening, antimicrobial, antirheumatic, detoxifying and anti-inflammatory properties. Widely used in the fight against all kinds of infectious diseases: SARS, influenza, swine flu, urinary tract infections (UTIs), upper respiratory tract infections, human papillomavirus, vaginal yeast infections, herpes, syphilis, typhoid, malaria, tonsillitis, bloodstream infections, streptococcal infections, warts and diphtheria, ear infections.

Echinacea is also used for dizziness, low white blood cells, migraines, anxiety, chronic fatigue, rheumatoid arthritis, heartburn, rattlesnake bites. It is widely used externally to treat abscesses, boils, skin wounds, gum disease, burns, ulcers, eczema, psoriasis, herpes simplex virus, bee stings and mosquitoes, and hemorrhoids. This plant is also a good helper for dermatological problems, because echinacea treats acne and ulcers, blackheads and warts, abscesses and eczema on the skin. With its help, age spots and freckles are removed, it relieves skin inflammation and smoothes wrinkles. It also enhances hair growth, gives them shine and saves from dandruff.

Echinacea preparations

Echinacea-based preparations are now extremely popular and are sold in pharmacies in many forms - dried flowers, capsules, drops, extract in tablets and lozenges, powders, teas and juices, alcohol tincture. The pharmaceutical industry in many countries manufactures preparations of their echinacea purpurea to strengthen the human immune system (for example, "Immunal"). Echinacea preparations are allowed to be prescribed to children from the age of six, and alcohol tincture - from the age of twelve.

Now more than three hundred types of echinacea preparations are known, and the list of diseases for which echinacea preparations are used has exceeded seventy names. Preparations with echinacea have immunostimulating, antibacterial, antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties.

Did you know? Approximately 10% of the entire dietary supplement market in North America and Europe is occupied by preparations with echinacea.

Use in folk medicine: treatment of diseases with echinacea

The medicinal properties of echinacea have long been used in folk medicine in the form of teas, decoctions, tinctures and alcohol tinctures. Echinacea treatment was simply indispensable for flu and colds, constipation and gastritis, abscesses and ulcers, headaches, joint pain, prostate adenoma, inflammation in women, was used to streamline metabolism and well-being.

Echinacea tea for flu and colds

Echinacea tea is a very valuable remedy for colds and flu. It lowers body temperature, has an antimicrobial effect, prevents bacteria and viruses from multiplying. Echinacea tea is made as follows: one teaspoon of the crushed plant root, one teaspoon of leaves and three flowers are poured with boiling water (0.5 l) and infused for about 40 minutes. It is necessary to take tea in the treatment of a disease three times a day, one glass each, and for prevention - one glass a day.

Echinacea tincture will relieve fatigue, increase immunity

Perhaps the most pronounced beneficial quality of echinacea is its ability to raise immunity and strengthen the entire body. It should be used by anyone who is often stressed and faces fatigue. To prepare echinacea tincture, pour 0.5 liters of boiling water over 30 g of dry or fresh flowers in an enameled saucepan, cover with a lid and boil for 10 minutes. Then let it brew in a warm place for five hours to reach the highest concentration of nutrients. Then strain the infusion, add honey, syrup, sugar, or berry juice to it to taste. Drink half a glass three times a day.

Echinacea tincture for constipation or gastritis

In the treatment of these ailments, echinacea tincture will help according to this recipe: pour 20 g of raw materials (stems, flowers, leaves) with a glass of vodka, leave to brew in a dark place for twenty days, shake occasionally. Before taking the tincture should be filtered and taken 20-30 drops a day before meals.

Alcohol tincture for prostate adenoma

With prostate adenoma, you will need an alcohol tincture of echinacea. You can buy it at a pharmacy or make it yourself: pour fresh or chopped dry echinacea leaves with alcohol (vodka) in a ratio of 1:10, let it brew for ten days. Take 25-30 drops three times daily before meals.

Echinacea decoction for headaches and joint pain

A decoction of echinacea can help with headaches, migraines, joint pain, insomnia. The decoction is prepared as follows: a teaspoon of chopped fresh (dry) echinacea leaves is poured with a glass of boiling water, placed in a water bath for five to ten minutes, then removed from the water bath and infused for some time. Take 100 ml three times a day before meals.

From a headache, you can also use honey with echinacea, prepared according to this recipe: grind all parts of echinacea into powder and mix well with honey (300 g of honey - 100 g of echinacea powder). Used three times a day with tea.

How to prepare medicinal raw materials from echinacea

All parts of the plant have medicinal properties. The aerial part of echinacea is collected in summer (July-August), and the rhizome with roots is collected in spring and late autumn. Only flowering plants are harvested, and as for the roots, three or four-year-old roots are suitable for medicines. The harvested raw materials are dried in the shade in the fresh air, spreading it in a thin layer, or in special dryers. The raw materials are stored in a dry place. Echinacea herb can be stored for no more than six months, and echinacea tincture can be stored for one to five years, in a well-closed bottle, in a dark and cold place.

Throughout history, people have used echinacea as a treatment for blood poisoning, malaria, scarlet fever, infections, diphtheria, and other illnesses. Currently, echinacea is used to treat coughs, high fever, flu, fungal infections of the vagina, ADHD, and chronic fatigue syndrome.

Most people do not experience side effects while taking echinacea when treating one of these diseases and conditions. However, a small percentage of those who take this herb may experience symptoms of side effects, which we describe below (according to Drugs.com). If you experience any of these side effects, or anything else that causes discomfort or seems unusual, stop taking echinacea and contact your doctor immediately. You may need to stop taking echinacea products completely and try another treatment. You may experience the following side effects while taking echinacea:

Stomach upset

Echinacea is not recommended for some people who are more likely to experience severe side effects. These people include:

• People who are allergic to ragweed, marigold or similar plants.
• People with autoimmune diseases, tuberculosis, collagen diseases, or white blood cell disorders.
• People taking immunosuppressants (drugs that suppress the immune system).
• lactating women; women planning to become pregnant in the near future; or pregnant women (see Echinacea in Pregnancy - Can Pregnant Women Take Echinacea).

Many of the above diseases affect the immune system. Since echinacea is an immune system stimulant, it may actually hasten the progression or worsen the symptoms of these diseases.

Long term side effects

In addition to the fact that some people should avoid taking echinacea, there are other potential problems associated with taking products based on this plant, especially if they are taken for a long period of time without interruption. Here are some of the risks associated with taking echinacea for more than 6 to 8 weeks in a row:

• Liver problems in those taking steroids.
• Decreased functioning of the immune system.

To avoid these long-term side effects, it is important to limit echinacea to a maximum of 6 to 8 weeks.

Echinacea drug interactions as a side effect

One of the potential side effects of echinacea is its interaction with other drugs. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, you should avoid taking echinacea-based products if you are taking immunosuppressants.

While the University of Maryland only warns against taking echinacea with immunosuppressants that suppress the immune system, Drugs.com lists 40 drugs that may interact with echinacea. Among them are the following drugs:

• Aspirin
• Crestor (Rosuvastatin)
• Lexapro (Escitalopram)
• Lipitor (Atorvastatin)
• Nexium (Esomeprazole)
• Singular (Montelukast)
• Synthroid (Levothyroxine)
• Xanax (Alprazolam)
• Zyrtec (Cetirizine)

Not all drug interactions with echinacea have serious or dangerous side effects. It is interesting to note that echinacea may be useful in combination with econazole for the treatment of yeast infections. In studies where echinacea is used in conjunction with this drug, relapse rates have been reduced.

Taking Echinacea as an Immune System Booster

Echinacea is an immune system stimulant and can help you get through the winter without a cold or flu. However, if you have any sudden allergic reactions or unusual, severe symptoms while taking echinacea, seek emergency medical attention. It's always better to be safe than regretting a bad decision later.