Echinacea purpurea (purple coneflower) 500ml

(Echinacea purpurea)

500ml

Echinacea purpurea (Asteraceae) is a perennial medicinal herb with important immunostimulatory and anti-inflammatory properties, especially the alleviation of cold symptoms. The plant also attracted scientists’ attention to assess other aspects of its beneficial effects. For instance, antianxiety, antidepression, cytotoxicity, and antimutagenicity as induced by the plant have been revealed in various studies. The findings of the clinical trials are controversial in terms of side effects. While some studies revealed the beneficial effects of the plant on the patients and no severe adverse effects, some others have reported serious side effects including abdominal pain, angioedema, dyspnea, nausea, pruritus, rash, erythema, and urticaria. Other biological activities of the plant such as antioxidant, antibacterial, antiviral, and larvicidal activities have been reported in previous experimental studies. Different classes of secondary metabolites of the plant such as alkamides, caffeic acid derivatives, polysaccharides, and glycoproteins are believed to be biologically and pharmacologically active. Actually, concurrent determination and single analysis of cichoric acid and alkamides have been successfully developed mainly by using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled with different detectors including UV spectrophotometric, coulometric electrochemical, and electrospray ionization mass spectrometric detectors. The results of the studies which were controversial revealed that in spite of major experiments successfully accomplished using E. purpurea, many questions remain unanswered and future investigations may aim for complete recognition of the plant's mechanism of action using new, complementary methods.

PHARMACOLOGY
 

The polysaccharide fraction is considered to be responsible for the immunostimulatory properties of Echinacea, but the amides and caffeic acid derivatives contribute to the activity of the ethanolic extracts (especially for antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activity). Polysaccharides are known to be active only after injection in vivo; Therefore, the effectiveness of an oral application has yet to be convincingly demonstrated. Wound healing was detected with a polysaccharide fraction, Echinacin B. Most controlled clinical trials show at least some statistically significant improvement in infections and cold symptoms.
 

APPLICATION
 

Press juice or dried cabbage are used to support the treatment of recurrent infections, colds, and respiratory and urinary tract infections. Externally for the treatment of injuries, ulcers and dermatitis.
 

HOMEOPATHY
 

Echinacea purpurea HAB1, the fresh aerial parts of flowering plants.

Indication: supportive treatment of severe and feverish infections.
 

OTHERS
 

The genus name comes from the Greek echinos (hedgehog), and refers to the prickly fruit soils. The plant was already used by the Native Americans of North America as an antiseptic against inflammation, suppuration and boils. The Sioux Indians used the plant as an antidote to snake bites.