Echinacea angustifolia, Echinacea palida, Echinacea purpurea or Echinacea is a known herbal plant through out the world. It is also called Samson roots, purple coneflower, red sunflower and black Samson. Native American was the first to use Echinacea. The plant was used to heal wounds such as animal bites specifically snakebites. The root part of the plant was being used to cure, sore throat and other mouth sores. It is also used to treat toothaches.

All the plants parts are usable. Its leaves, roots and purple flowers are the parts used. According to the many researches are conducted on this herb, researched and proved to really have curative properties. Roots and flowers of Echinacea contain echinacosides, while leaves of the plant contain polysaccharide heteroxylan.

As of today, the plant is widely used as an infection-fighting agent because of its healing properties. Scientist and community health groups have proven that the plant Echinacea is of good health benefits.

Properties of this plant are believed to be alternative, anti-fungal- anti-septic, anti-inflammatory, astringent, diaphoretic, carminative, anti bacterial, depurative, immune stimulant, digestive tonic, sialagogue, vulnerary and stimulant. With all of these, it is truly obvious that Echinacea is a wonder plant.

The plant is obviously a food supplement. A food supplement is an addition to your food that that you eat. This includes vitamins, minerals as well as herbals. The FDA or U.S. Food and Drug Administration consider this. These food supplements do not require manufacturers to be effective and safe. You should also keep in mind that these supplements can give you benefits but can also possible to harm you.

How is it used? Actually, there are no specific explanations on how does this plant works. The possibility of its stimulation to immune system is identified. With studies mad, it is proven that somehow Echinacea acts by doing the following.

By stimulating phagocytes. Phagocytes are a process by which white blood cells and lymphocytes consume foreign organisms in the body.

By increasing the rate on which the foreign body is ejected by the immune system in the body.

By increasing the production of the major component of the bodys immune system, the interferon.

By increasing the amount of cells working as part of immune system.

As a food supplement, the possible health benefits of Echinacea are the following:

It heals sore throat than other mouth problems
Helps in some cases of peritonitis
Helps in wound healing as well as in other skin problems such as abrasions, boils, psoriasis and eczema.
Helps reduces inflammation
Helps in the healing of fever blisters
Helps reduce signs and symptoms of flu and colds
Helps in bladder problems
Helps in treating kidney infections
Helps fights fungal infections
Helps fight viral infections
Helps fight bacterial infections
Helps strengthen the immune system
Helps promote wound healing
Helps in healing burns
Soothes insect bites and stings
Helps treat sinus infections

So far, side effect may or may not appear. In rare cases, allergic reactions may occur and can be serious. The plant should not be taken more than 8 weeks, over use of it can cause the suppression of the immune system. Echinacea is used to stimulate immune system; immunosuppressant may be cancelled out if it is being overused.

This plant are not recommended for use by people with systemic diseases such as, AID1S, HIV, MS, TB, leukosis and collagenosis. It can also cause harm to following conditions, tuberculosis, multiple sclerosis, ulcerative colitis, crohns disease, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, asthma and other autoimmune disease not included.

In addition, people who are taking immunosuppressant by any reason are not allowed to take Echinacea. People with these diseases cannot use the plant as a dietary supplement as it can cause undesirable reaction to the body. Pregnant women should also avoid taking this herb.

In some cases adverse effect can also occur. Some of the side effect that has been noted were, nausea, vomiting and abdominal upset.

The plant is available in several forms, lozenges, pills, tablets, extracts, capsules and tinctures. It is also available in topical ointment form, with mixture of other healing agents. Echinacea is truly a gift we should truly be thankful of.