Date:   11/6/2014 3:13:36 PM ( 10 y ago)
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URL:   https://www.curezone.org/forums/fm.asp?i=2217432

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If ever there was a miracle herb, echincea would fit the bill. The history of this highly debated herb has its roots steeped in Native American culture.
The interesting discovery of this herb, however, is a little less glamorous than its uses.




It's said that Native Americans first discovered the medicinal uses of Echinecea when they observed elk seeking out the Echinacea plant and consuming it
when they were sick or wounded. These Native Americans actually identified the plant as elk root, not the common name of Echinecea we use now.




In the 19th century, "eclectic"� medicinal practitioners documented using Echinacea for everything from snakebites to pain relief. Its use as a cold-relief
remedy didn't occur until later, when a Swiss herbal supplement maker was erroneously told that Native American tribes used Echinacea for cold prevention.
In truth, the tribes used Echinacea to treat some of the symptoms that could have been caused by the common cold.




Today, many studies have been done on this miracle herb. One study by the University of Connecticut combined findings from 14 previously reported trials
examining Echinacea and concluded that Echinacea can cut the chances of catching a cold by more than half, and shorten the duration of a cold by an average
of 1.4 days.




Its benefits certainly aren't limited to cold prevention, either. For one thing, it contains echinacoside (a natural antibiotic, comparable to penicillin
in effect) that can kill a broad range of viruses, bacteria, fungi, and protozoa, which makes it invaluable in wound healing and the treatment of
infectious diseases. Research has also reported echinacea's efficacy in treating colds, flu, bronchitis, tuberculosis, infections, etc.




Echinacea also contains echinacein, a biochemical that protects against germ attack by neutralizing the tissue dissolving enzyme, hyaluronidase, produced
by many germs. Also, studies, such as the one published in Infection and Immunology, show that Echinacea contains substances that boost the ability of your
body's macrophages to destroy germs. And other studies from the University of Munich have shown that echinacea extracts boost T-cell production by as much
as 30% more than other immune boosting drugs.




So, what should you know about taking this miracle herb?




First, it's important to remember that not all echinacea is the same. As with all herbs, there is a wide range of quality, potency, and consistency among
the numerous venders so you need to be an informed consumer. Therefore, you should always check the grade of herb. Look for high-quality herbs grown
organically and with their natural ratio of biochemicals still intact.




Next, you'll want to make sure you use formulas, not single herbs. Herbal medicine treatments differ from traditional drugs. If you have a sore throat, you
don't just dose yourself with an herb like you would take a pill or cough medicine. Herbal medicine makes use of herbal formulations as opposed to single
herbs. Herbal formulas not only address particular symptoms, they also support the body as a whole. In addition, they make use of the synergistic effect
inherent in many herbs.




A few simple, easy to remember guidelines to follow are:

• 
  Look for herbal formulations made from organic or wild crafted herbs.
  


• 
  Look for formulations designed by real herbalists.
  


• 
  Look for (and expect) dramatic results - Echinacea should give a numbing sensation in the tongue, if you feel just a tiny bit, it is probably low in
  its medicinal properties as well.
  

Finally, you'll gain the most benefit when you take this herb when you actually need it. The important thing to understand is that the immune system
responds best to periodic stimulus, as opposed to constant stimulus. That is to say, you don't want to use an immune tonic every day. It's not that
anything bad happens; it just becomes less effective as the body becomes used to the stimulation.