Are you worried about how to avoid catching a cold or flu? Do you think this will have an impact on your trained body? No doubt that you do not have to answer the questions because the conclusions are logical.
Alas, there hasn’t yet been found any universal substance for the prevention of colds and flu viruses. The good news is that there is already a natural means for relieving the symptoms and shortening the sickness period. Meet Echinacea.
Echinacea is a perennial plant of the Asteraceae family. The Echinacea genus includes nine species of plants, the most popular of which is Echinacea Purpurea. The plant is native to North America and was brought to Europe after colonization.
It was one of the most popular herbs in traditional Indian medicine in the American steppes. Nowadays Echinacea has wide popularity among the population in the US, and among the inhabitants of the EU.
The traditional intakes of the extract of Echinacea have been associated with the prevention and alleviation of inflammations and infections of the upper respiratory tract, and in particular - the herb has been used widely in the treatment of colds and flu.
The claim that the herb improves the immune system is interesting for athletes, as it is flu and colds that are the most common reason for the decline in the healthy sports shape in athletes.
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What Is Echinacea
Echinacea is a perennial plant of the Asteraceae family. The Echinacea genus includes nine species of plants, the most popular of which is Echinacea Purpurea.
The plant is native to North America and was brought to Europe after colonization. It was one of the most popular herbs in traditional Indian medicine in the American steppes. Nowadays Echinacea has wide popularity among the population in the US, and among the inhabitants of the EU.
What Do We Need to Know About the Active Ingredients of Echinacea
The plant tissues contain some interesting, but still poorly studied substances, inherent only to the Echinacea genus. Among them: echinacen, echinolone, echinacoside, echinacin B, echinaceine.
Health Benefits
The traditional intakes of potions from the extract of Echinacea have been associated with the prevention and alleviation of inflammations and infections of the upper respiratory tract, and in particular - the herb has been used widely in the treatment of colds and flu.
The claim that the herb improves the immune system is interesting for athletes, as it is flu and colds that are the most common reason for the decline in the healthy sports shape in athletes after periods of dieting and dedication to the sports center.
Proven Benefits of Taking Echinacea
- Immunostimulatory properties: In general, extracts from plants of the Echinacea have activating immune system effects. They affect the activity of production of immune T cells; enhance the tendency of lymphocytes to phagocytose ("eat") bacteria;
- Antiviral and antibiotic effects: Studies are many and conflicting. Some confirm the effects, others consider them insignificant, and others deny them. There is some available evidence on the benefits of the plant for sure.
It is believed that the problem of repeating the effect comes from the technology of processing the extracts and their content, as well as by the kind of Echinacea used.
For example, the content of echinacen in the E. Angustifolia form is 10 times greater than the content in E. pallid form. My conclusion is: "Yes, Echinacea works, but I do not know which of the forms exactly."
It is believed the reason for the antibiotic effect of the plant is the echinacoside whose strength is comparable to that of penicillin. Echinaceas, in turn, seems to have the counteraction of the hyaluronidase enzyme, by which bacteria penetrate in tissues.
Are There Side Effects and Contraindications
Taken orally, Echinacea is considered generally safe. However, there have been some hypersensitivity reactions observed.
Clinical tests indicate that the most common reluctance effects, which may be associated with the extract, are gastrointestinal problems.
Dangerous Combinations
No evidence of drug interactions.
Necessary Doses
- To supplement echinacea, take 300–500 mg, three times a day, for a total daily dose of 900–1,500.
- To supplement using a liquid tincture, take 2.5–10 ml, three times a day, for a total daily dose of 7.5–30 ml.
Echinacea is not recommended for children under 2 years of age.
In Which Sports and Health Supplements Can You Find Echinacea
You can find the extract of Echinacea as an ingredient on the label of complex immunostimulatory products, in the form of tea, and rarely in the forms of tablets.
