The benefits of echinacea make it a great addition to any garden. It is both beautiful, as well as, a medicinal powerhouse.
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Echinacea is one of my favorite flowers. First off, it is so beautiful. Second, it can be used for its medicinal properties.
The roots of echinacea are especially potent, but you are not going to want to harvest the roots of echinacea until you have a good amount growing.
The benefits of echinacea range from anti-cancer to anti-inflammatory.
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Helps to support the immune system
A healthy immune system is the gateway to your health.
Echinacea helps to stimulate the immune system to function more effectively.
This herb is commonly known to help with upper respiratory issues such as the common cold, some types of asthma, diphtheria, or respiratory inflammation.
The immune boosting properties in echinacea help to fight against these viral and bacterial illnesses.
![closeup of an echinacea flowers](https://homelifeonadime.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/echinacea-gdd0e419d1_640.jpg)
High in antioxidants
Antioxidants help the body defend its cells against chronic diseases.
Echinacea is known to help prevent and fight chronic diseases such as heart disease and diabetes. Many chronic diseases are caused by oxidative stress (which can break down cells).
Three of the main antioxidants in echinacea include rosmarinic acid, citric acid, and flavonoids. What do these antioxidants do?
- Rosmarinic acid is known to help your body regulate its inflammatory response.
- Citric acid helps to fight bacteria.
- Flavonoids help prevent free radicals and regulate cell activity.
Supports healthy blood sugar levels
Echinacea may help to lower blood sugar to a healthy level.
If you suffer from diabetes or pre-diabetes, echinacea may help you to lower your blood sugar by suppressing the enzyme that digests carbohydrates.
Echinacea is also known to help your cells be more sensitive to insulin. Insulin is a hormone that lowers your blood sugar.
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Contains anti-inflammatory properties
Inflammation can be caused by many factors such as stress, poor sleep, and food toxins.
Inflammation in the body can be manifested in many ways such as asthma, diphtheria or rheumatoid arthritis. Ingesting echinacea has been known to help lower the levels of inflammation related to these illnesses.
The anti-inflammatory properties in echinacea can also help to ease skin issues such as acne, eczema and psoriasis.
The anti-inflammatory properties in echinacea are another reason that this herb is helpful in fighting colds and sore throats.
May help slow the growth of some cancers
Immune boosting echinacea may help the body fight against cancer.
Echinacea has been linked to slowing growth of some cancers. More research needs to be done in this area to fully understand how echinacea does this.
However, the immune boosting support of echinacea seems to play a part in the cancer suppressing abilities of this herb.
![](https://homelifeonadime.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/coneflower-g37b4b0553_640.jpg)
Identify time:
The common name for echinacea in the flower is purple coneflower.
These plants have tall slender stems that are topped with a single pink/purple flower per stem. In the center of each flower is a ‘cone’ that ranges in color from orange to brown and is actually a seed head. If you pull the seeds out of the cone, they are long and slightly sharp on the end.
The leaves of echinacea are very similar to that of a daisy.
How to use echinacea:
To use echinacea for any of these preparations, you can use the leaves, flowers and roots, either fresh or dried.
The benefits of echinacea are especially concentrated in the roots of the plant. If your plants are not established yet, though, stick with the flowers and leaves.
Alcohol tincture:
To make an alcohol tincture with dried echinacea do a 1 part echinacea to 5 parts vodka (example, 1 oz dried echinacea to 5 oz vodka).
To make a tincture with fresh echinacea, use 1 part echinacea to 2 parts vodka.
Glycerin tincture:
To make a glycerin tincture with echinacea, fill a small jar half full of dried echinacea or two-thirds full if using fresh echinacea. Add to the top of your herbs 1 part water and 3 parts vegetable glycerin (example 1 oz water, 3 oz glycerin).
Tea:
To make a tea with echinacea, use 1 tablespoon of dried echinacea or a small handful of fresh echinacea; add it to a mug. Poor 8 ounces of almost boiling water over herb and let steep for 5-10 minutes. Strain out herb, sweeten with honey if desired and enjoy!
![](https://homelifeonadime.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/peacock-butterfly-ga467155c2_640.jpg)
Some cautions:
Risks and side effects of using echinacea may include any of the following.
- Hives
- Rashes
- Itchy skin
- Nausea/vomiting
- Stomach pain
- Shortness of breath
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Dried Echinacea for Tea or Tinctures
Have you tried echinacea before?
What are your favorite ways to use echinacea? Are there any other benefits of echinacea that you know of? Let us know in the comments!
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