Echinacea what to collect. Echinacea: medicinal benefits and contraindications
Today, Echinacea has gained wild popularity among plants. They began to actively grow it in their gardens and dachas. This is due not only to the fact that Echinacea is a medicinal crop. It is also a beautiful ornamental and honey plant. However, it is loved most of all because of its medicinal properties.
Therefore, in this article we would like to take a closer look at practical issues: when and in what way is it best to harvest echinacea? How to use it?
So, all parts of this amazing plant have medicinal properties - leaves, roots, inflorescences. They are rich in biologically active compounds, phenolic substances (among which chicoric acid is of particular value), polysaccharides, alkylamides and many other components. It is these substances that provide the bactericidal, immunostimulating, regenerating effect of Echinacea drugs. Probably everyone remembers the burning taste and woodiness (as from lidocaine) of the tongue when you chew a piece of root or seed. This is the action of alkylamides.
Recent studies have proven that the polysaccharides found in this plant are one of the most useful compounds for improving immunity. Thus, Echinacea stems should also be used, despite the fact that they do not look very presentable. It is in the stems that a large amount of these healing substances accumulate.
When do you start procuring raw materials? The fact is that Echinacea is a perennial plant, so we advise you to use the above-ground parts. This can be done successfully for many years in a row. If you need rhizomes with roots, be sure to plant new plants in the spring.
To be treated at home, it is not necessary to use the rhizomes and roots of Echinacea. They are most often used to make a tincture. Fresh and dry raw materials are suitable for this. Remember that not everyone can use alcohol tincture for medicinal purposes; there is an individual intolerance to alcohol or the drug itself. The tincture is more suitable for treating abrasions and wounds, wiping the face, gargling, in general, for external use. Also, not everyone is recommended to take a decoction of the roots. Remember that the effect of a decoction of rhizomes and the effect of using the herb are the same. It's up to you to choose...
Harvest rhizomes in September-October, after the seeds have ripened, or in early spring, before the growing season begins. Dig up the rhizomes, then wash, chop into pieces with a knife, rinse again if necessary, and dry. You have to be careful here! Dry at a temperature no higher than 40-60 C. If you do not dry the roots, they can be destroyed by mold. When the raw material begins to break, it means that it is already well dried. Where you are dealing with harvesting rhizomes, do not forget to ensure that soft tissue is not left behind. Next, pour the pieces into a jar or cloth bag. Keep roots in the dark.
The above-ground part is harvested and used at different times. From young plants, when the rosette has just formed, you can safely cut off the leaves in early autumn, because they will die off quickly anyway. You can dry them whole, or you can chop them into pieces. But still, it’s better to cut it: it will dry faster and the raw material will be more convenient to use.
In the spring, when echinacea is just starting to grow, you can start harvesting it. Do not overdo it, otherwise there will be no flower left. The best way is to use young leaves in the spring, for example, add them to salads. You can mix echinacea with some other plants, for example, nettle, dandelion, wheat germ, lettuce, etc. Cut all the ingredients, mix, salt and add olive oil. An excellent set of vitamins in one dish!
To make tea and medicinal infusions, harvest the leaves and inflorescences when the plant is just beginning to bloom, or even shortly before the inflorescences open. At this time they are saturated with the largest amount of biologically active substances. There is no point in using inflorescences that have bloomed. After the first collection, after a couple of weeks, inflorescences form again, which can also be prepared, etc. It is better to grind the raw materials and dry them in a dark place.
How to make healing tea? Take a few leaves or inflorescences of echinacea, pour boiling water, leave for 15-20 minutes, and use. You can take honey and drink it with infusion. Do not dissolve in a drink, but wash it down.
Hello! Today I decided to move a little away from medical topics in my articles and make a new section on the blog, which will be devoted entirely to all kinds of roots and medicinal herbs. For some reason I think it will be useful and interesting to many. And the first to open this section is a plant called Echinacea. This medicinal plant deserves special attention because it is quite effective in the treatment of many diseases and is widely used in folk medicine in the treatment of a wide variety of diseases.
Medical uses of Echinacea
Echinacea is rightfully one of the most beloved and popular medicinal plants in the world today. The reason for this is the very great healing power and breadth of use. We can say that echinacea effectively and most importantly quickly cures a huge number of different diseases, without any side effects or addiction.
Echinacea purpurea is a fairly tall and very beautiful plant. Since very ancient times, people have used it for snake bites, gonorrhea, inflammation of the oral cavity, female diseases, and many other diseases.
In 1915, researchers first confirmed the immunomodulating effect of echinacea in the treatment of diseases such as tuberculosis (), tumors and viral diseases.
Today, preparations from Echinacea purpurea rightfully occupy first place. True, this applies to Europe and the USA. In our country, treatment with this miracle flower is for some reason not yet as popular as in Europe. Most likely due to our mentality. It's easier for us to take a handful of pills than to trust herbs.
So, in the West and the USA, their echinacea preparations have pushed into the background such drugs as ginseng. In Europe, for example, this matter has been put on stream. More than 400 species, a wide variety of preparations, with a wide range of effects are made from this miracle flower.
Treatment with Echinacea
In our country, this plant is used little in pharmaceuticals, but among the people it is quite popular and versatile. To treat many diseases, crushed parts of this plant are mixed with honey, oil is prepared with healing properties, the leaves are used for rubbing against tumors and inflammations, and ulcers and ulcers are treated with echinacea juice. All kinds of decoctions are also prepared, and alcohol tinctures in the form of compresses are widely used for various inflammations and for the fastest healing of wounds. The leaves are used as squeezes and extracts.
In folk medicine, this plant is used to treat diseases as a water infusion, alcohol tincture or decoction, as well as in the form of creams and ointments.
The composition of vital vitamins and microelements contained in echinacea is very rich. These are vitamins of groups A, C, E, and magnesium, sodium, potassium, manganese and many others. other. All these elements significantly increase immunity, and also improve the body’s metabolism, have antiallergic, antiviral, anti-inflammatory and diuretic properties.
The main difference between Echinacea purpurea and synthetic biostimulants, potions and tablets is that this plant cures not the consequences of the disease, but its main root causes, without having any side effects.
Echinacea can boost human immunity in the following ways:
- cleanses all lymph. system
- cleanses the blood
- cleanses the liver
- cleanses the kidneys
- prevents cell destruction and helps healthy cells recover
- fights against bacteria and viruses
- fights against germs
- mobilizes all available defenses of the human body to fight diseases.
At the same time, it miraculously stimulates the growth of healthy cells and promotes the production of antibodies. That is why it is simply an indispensable medicine for mental or physical exhaustion, as well as for the prevention and treatment of the most serious diseases that official medicine is powerless to combat.
How to Harvest and Take Echinacea
For medical use, flowers and leaves, as well as the stems of this plant, are harvested in May or June. plants. They are consumed both fresh and dried in the shade (more on that here). And in September or October, the roots of Echinacea are dug up. During this period, the content of healing substances in them simply goes off scale.
Echinacea must be harvested during the growing season (here we read how to properly harvest medicinal plants), dried in the shade, crushed and drunk as tea, more often in winter, when there is a lack of vitamins. And in the summer, you can completely use the green mass and flowers, preparing tasty and healthy salads from them.
A 10% alcohol tincture from the roots and other parts of this miracle plant is usually taken internally. When taking the tincture, stomach ulcers are cured, and small stones can also be dissolved and removed from the kidneys.
For pneumonia and severe cough, it is customary to rub your back with this alcohol tincture for 7 days; according to reviews, it helps very well.
Nowadays there are a lot of different herbal preparations on sale, which contain Echinacea purpurea. You can simply brew them in a thermos and drink them instead of tea. Similar herbal preparations are used in the treatment of:
- alcoholism
- for removing toxins
- dysbacteriosis
- bronchitis
- various heart diseases
- arthritis
- for hair loss
- for general cleansing of the body
Healing tea and alcohol tincture of Echinacea
Healing tea
- To make healing tea, you need to take 3 fresh Echinacea flowers or 2 teaspoons of pre-crushed root or leaves, brew with boiling water in an amount of 0.5 liters. and leave for 40 minutes.
- Drink 1 cup of tea a day for prevention and 3 cups at the beginning of any disease.
- This is done in order to increase immunity and, accordingly, recover faster.
Tea prepared in this way from echinacea is deservedly considered one of the effective natural medicines, it has the ability to slow down the aging process, perfectly rejuvenates and cleanses the entire body.
Tea is used for colds, flu, various abscesses, ulcers, eczema, and to restore health after severe and long-term illnesses and operations.
Echinacea is taken for a month, then you need to take a month break. Such breaks give our immunity the opportunity to start working at full strength.
Echinacea alcohol tincture
- For tinctures with alcohol, seasoned herbalists recommend pouring finely chopped fresh or dry leaves with vodka in a ratio of 1 to 10.
- Infuse for 10 days.
- You need to take this infusion 25-30 drops 3 times a day before starting meals.
This infusion cures genitourinary inflammation, constipation, eliminates vascular spasms, gastritis and stomach ulcers, normalizes all metabolic processes, and cures female inflammatory processes.
Echinacea infusion is prepared as follows:
- Pour 30 grams of dried or fresh plant flowers into 0.5 liters. boiling water and simmer for 10 minutes in a well-covered saucepan.
- After this, leave in a warm place for 5 hours and strain.
- During this period of time, all mineral salts, vitamins, and biologically active substances contained in the flowers will be transferred into the infusion.
- Honey and sugar are added to the infusion if desired. You need to drink half a glass three times a day.
- A thermos is very convenient for making an infusion, if you have one. If not, you need to purchase it, since in the future you will need it more than once for preparing various infusions.
That's all for today. I tried to write in great detail, leaving nothing out. Of all the known medicinal plants, Echinacea, in my opinion, occupies one of the first places in its usefulness and
On average, it takes 3-4 hours to write 1 article. By sharing an article on social networks, you express gratitude to the blog authors for their work!!!The level of healing potential of some plants is not inferior even to powerful antibiotic drugs. And Echinacea purpurea is often used instead of medicine. The main thing is that the medicinal properties and contraindications of echinacea correspond not only to the needs, but also to the individual health characteristics of the patient.
Echinacea is a perennial plant of the Asteraceae family. Despite the fact that the plant's homeland is located in the east of the North American continent, tall stems of grass topped with purple-pink inflorescences can be found in most of our garden plots.
For many gardening enthusiasts, Echinacea (or rudbeckia) is, first of all, an ornamental plant. However, even people far from gardening know about the medicinal properties of the flower. Which is not surprising - many popular medicines have been created based on the herb extract.
The plant owes its healing capabilities to its rich chemical composition.
Thanks to the presence of essential oils, vitamins A, C and E, organic acids, natural antimycotics, glycosides, tannins, antioxidants and trace elements such as iron, selenium, silicon and calcium, the overall benefits of echinacea are equal to the effects of several medications, including multivitamin complexes and antibiotics.
The use of the plant provides therapeutic results in several directions at once.
Active ingredients of Echinacea purpurea:
- participate in hematopoiesis;
- stimulate the formation of bones, nail plates, hair and teeth;
- prevent cell aging;
- prevent the development of tumors;
- activate the synthesis of interferons and increase immunity;
- bind free radicals and toxins and promote their removal;
- support the processes of restoration of damaged tissues;
- enhance the protective potential of the liver.
It is characteristic that, unlike other medicinal herbs, all above-ground parts of Echinacea purpurea are of pharmacological interest - both inflorescences and stems with leaves.
What diseases does it help with?
The powerful effect of the active components of Echinacea purpurea makes it possible to enhance the therapeutic effect in the treatment of most infectious diseases (including sexually transmitted diseases), as well as during exacerbations of a neurological nature.
The use of plant extracts is indicated for:
- respiratory and viral diseases - influenza, acute respiratory infections;
- chronic diseases - hepatitis, rheumatoid arthritis, prostatitis, nephritis and cystitis;
- skin lesions - purulent wounds, trophic ulcers, boils, eczema, psoriasis, burns, including sunburns;
- pathologies of the ENT organs - rhinitis, pharyngitis, tonsillitis, sinusitis;
- fungal infections - thrush, trichophytosis;
- infectious pathologies - urinary tract lesions, gonorrhea, syphilis, typhoid fever, scarlet fever, meningitis, typhus, malaria, diphtheria, human papillomavirus.
In addition, the use of echinacea is appropriate for septic processes, bee, mosquito and snake bites, exacerbation of the herpes virus, hemorrhoids, oncological processes, streptococcal infections, as well as headaches and dizziness.
Echinacea for immunity
Thanks to its powerful immunomodulatory properties, Echinacea herb is recognized throughout the world as one of the most effective medicinal plants for strengthening the immune system. The effect of the herb is expressed in increasing the resistance of cells to damage by pathogenic microorganisms.
Echinacea purpurea not only prevents the penetration of microbes through the cell membrane, but also blocks the very possibility of their spreading throughout the body.
Moreover, the active substances of the herb help increase the number of leukocytes in the blood, enhance phagocytic processes and stimulate the production of immunoglobulins.
Benefits for children
The most successful and widespread use of Echinacea purpurea is in the treatment of childhood respiratory diseases. By strengthening the body's resistance to viral infection, the plant allows not only to shorten the recovery period, but also to strengthen the immune system.
No less effectively, plant extracts are used to prevent childhood diseases.
For oncology
Thanks to the existence of plants such as Echinacea purpurea, the possibility of treating cancer with herbs has become a real possibility.
It has been proven that the use of echinacea products stops the development of malignant tumors already at the initial stage.
One of the components in the herb, glycoprotein, has the ability to directly affect atypical cells.
In addition, the overall effect of the active components in the plant provides powerful support for the immune system:
- increases the number of phagocytic cells;
- stimulates interferon synthesis;
- enhances the functionality of T-lymphocytes;
- promotes the production of immunoglobulins that neutralize the effect of antigens.
Using echinacea-based products is an excellent way to prevent cancer.
During pregnancy
It is known that most traditional medications are contraindicated for expectant mothers, so preference is usually given to herbal remedies. And since echinacea is on the list of the most popular immunomodulatory plants, it is chosen first.
However, medical opinions on this matter are not so clear. The reason is that there has been very little research on the effect of echinacea on the development of pregnancy and the fetus. And although no specific contraindications to treatment with echinacea have been identified for pregnant women, doctors do not recommend using plant-based products for more than a week.
Echinacea for colds
The most important property of Echinacea is its ability to strengthen the immune system and support the body in the fight against pathogens. Using the plant during a cold allows you to use the entire rich composition of the plant and thus increase the level of resistance to any microorganisms, including viruses.
Research by scientists has shown that regular intake of echinacea extract reduces the likelihood of developing colds by 55%.
Instructions for use of Echinacea
You can take advantage of the healing power of Echinacea purpurea by drinking decoction, tincture and tea from the plant, or using ready-made pharmaceutical products based on it.
Tincture
Echinacea tincture is a medicine created on the basis of an extract from the roots of the plant and ethyl alcohol 60%. In addition, an alcohol tincture of Echinacea can be made at home. To do this, four parts of crushed plant material are poured with one part of alcohol with a strength of 70% and kept for a month.
You need to take 15 drops of this tincture before meals - adding it to tea or diluting it with water.
The use of tincture is indicated for patients prone to frequent respiratory diseases and patients with slowly healing trophic ulcers.
Echinacea tablets
Medicines based on Echinacea are also available in the form of tablets, the pharmacological activity of which is ensured by the action of the herb juice. Indications for taking tablets based on Echinacea purpurea juice include colds, flu, long-term antibiotic treatment, as well as preventive measures.
Children from 4 to 12 years old take one tablet three times a day. The dose for adults is two tablets three times a day. For colds, it is recommended to increase the number of doses to five times a day.
Decoction
Decoctions and teas from Echinacea purpurea are prepared at home.
To prepare the decoction, take 10 g of dry plant and 500 ml of water. The product is brought to readiness at a low boil, then infused for about three hours in a warm place and filtered.
You need to take a decoction of echinate before meals. Children under 7 years old - one tablespoon, children from 7 to 14 years old - two to three tablespoons for two weeks. A single dose for adults is half a glass of decoction.
In ampoules or capsules
Intramuscular administration of Echinacea purpurea is possible using the complex preparation “Echinacea compositum”. In addition to echinacea, the product contains several medicinal plants with anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory and detoxification properties.
In case of individual intolerance by the patient to the active components of the plant, the use of medicines with echinacea extract may cause the development of adverse reactions.
Characteristic signs of allergies are:
- urticaria, erythema and itchy rashes throughout the body;
- cough, runny nose, sneezing;
- nausea, vomiting, diarrhea;
- weakness, feeling tired, dizzy;
- headache.
The most pronounced manifestation of adverse reactions is considered to be Quincke's edema.
If you experience the slightest discomfort after taking echinacea-based products, you must stop taking the drug and immediately consult a doctor.
Contraindications for use
The optimal therapeutic effect when taking Echinacea is achieved only in case of full compliance with medical recommendations.
Doctors consider the use of plant-based products undesirable in the following cases:
- for tuberculosis;
- after organ transplantation;
- if the patient has a history of allergic reactions to plants of the Asteraceae family - chamomile, chrysanthemums, marigolds;
- with liver dysfunction.
Also, you should not use products based on the plants discussed as an additional immunomodulator when taking medications with a similar effect.
Echinacea purpurea is an amazing gift of nature, capable of restoring health only with a reasonable approach to treatment and under vigilant medical supervision.
Echinacea purpurea is a fairly common plant that resembles a chamomile, only with brightly colored leaves. Pharmacies sell “Echinacea tincture” or dry herbs of this amazing plant. This medicine has an immunomodulatory effect and can increase the body's resistance to various viral respiratory infections.
Echinacea contains polysaccharides, flavonoids, essential oils, saponins, tannins, organic acids, and this list is not yet complete. In addition, the roots of the plant contain inulin, glucose, and phenolcarboxylic acids. Echinacea has a rich mineral composition. It contains potassium and calcium, silver, selenium, molybdenum, cobalt, zinc and manganese. A large number of different enzymes are found in Echinacea purpurea.
The form in which Echinacea is most often used is tincture. To make it, both the roots and inflorescences of the plant are used, which are collected in the cool season: either in early spring or late autumn. They are collected during flowering.
Echinacea (tincture), the use of which is especially common in folk medicine, helps treat not only viral infections. Preparations from this plant are good to use in the treatment of burns and for healing wounds. Some diseases of the genital organs (inflammatory processes in women, impotence in men) can also be treated with this herb.
Echinacea (tincture) is used for internal use. Usually the doctor prescribes 20-30 drops (it is recommended to keep it in the mouth for a while without swallowing) three times a day. For a quick effect, at the beginning of treatment it is possible to take a “loading dose” of 50 drops, and then every hour or two, 10 to 20 drops. The instructions limit internal use of the plant “Purple Echinacea” (tincture) to two months. Further use is possible only on the recommendation of a doctor and then in individual cases.
The bacteriostatic and fungicidal, antimycotic effect of the tincture has been experimentally proven, which also determines its external use for trophic ulcers, microbial eczema, and osteomyelitis.
Since Echinacea purpurea effectively increases immunity, it is used after radiation therapy, chemotherapy, long-term treatment with antibiotics - in all cases when it decreases. inhibits the reproduction and growth of streptococci, staphylococci, influenza and herpes viruses, E. coli. In addition to the successful treatment of the upper respiratory tract, the tincture is indicated for rheumatism, polyarthritis, prostatitis, and some gynecological diseases.
In the treatment of stomach ulcers, echinacea (oil tincture) is also used in a 1:1 combination with sea buckthorn oil. Drink 2 tablespoons at night, for up to two weeks.
Adnexitis, prostatitis, cystitis and urethritis are treated with the roots of the plant in combination with other herbs. For example, the following collection is effective:
Echinacea roots (2 parts),
- (4 parts),
Kidneys (2 parts),
Common knotweed (4 parts),
Coltsfoot (2 parts),
Rose hips (2 parts),
- (2 parts).
Two tablespoons of this mixture are poured into a glass of water, boiled for five minutes, then left for four hours. Drink 50 ml before meals (30 minutes).
The following collection is useful for external use: echinacea roots (2 parts), buckwheat flowers (4 parts), wild chicory root (4 parts), stinging nettle (4 parts), cinnamon rose hips (2 parts), lungwort herb (4 hours). Preparation is similar to the previous collection, but is used as lotions.
There is one important limitation. Echinacea should not be taken for a long time to avoid possible stress on the immune system (the consequences can be unpleasant). Therefore, in all cases, treatment is recommended in small courses with breaks of several weeks.
Echinacea is a medicinal plant that has powerful immunomodulatory properties. Thanks to this, our body is able to cope much faster with diseases such as flu, colds and ARVI. Medicines based on efinacea can be found in any pharmacy, but raw materials prepared with your own hands can give you much more benefits, and, moreover, will not hurt your pocket. To learn how to properly collect and dry Echinacea purpurea at home, read this article.
This perennial plant belongs to the Asteraceae (Asteraceae) family and is found mainly in dry open places in forests and steppes. Because of its luxurious appearance, Echinacea is often grown as an ornamental plant in gardens and vegetable gardens.
Watch a video from the video magazine “Gardens of Russia” about the beneficial properties of Echinacea purpurea
How to Harvest and Dry Echinacea
Parts of the plant such as leaves, flowers and rhizomes are used to treat various ailments. The collection of raw materials should be carried out in dry, sunny weather, immediately after the morning dew has disappeared. However, when collecting roots, weather conditions do not play any role.
Echinacea is a perennial plant, so its upper part can be used for collecting raw materials for several years. If you harvest the roots, the plant must be replanted annually. At home, it is best to use only the above-ground part.
Leaves
Foliage from young plants, the first year of life, is collected in the fall. In subsequent years, the leaves are cut off in the spring, as soon as the plant begins to grow. You should not completely cut off the bushes, otherwise there will be nothing to bloom in the future.
Dry the greens in a dark, dry and ventilated area. The sun's rays have a detrimental effect on the beneficial properties of the plant, so the raw materials must be carefully protected from light. The leaves are laid out on sieves or trays and dried for 5 - 7 days, turning several times a day. If you pre-shred the leaves, drying will go much faster.
Inflorescences
Echinacea flowers are collected at the very beginning of their flowering. The best time to collect is when the buds are not yet fully open. During this period, the baskets contain the maximum concentration of useful substances, while long-blooming buds are of little use for medicinal collection. After the first cut, the plant again throws out an arrow with a flower, and after 3 - 4 weeks the collection of raw materials can be repeated.
You can dry Echinacea flowers either naturally or using dryers. To dry in air, the buds are laid out on wire racks in one layer and placed in a dark, dry place. To make the process more even, the flowers are periodically turned over. Drying time takes from 14 to 20 days.
To reduce time, you can use a vegetable and fruit dryer. The inflorescences dry on the grates of the unit in 10 hours, at a temperature of 50 - 60 degrees.
Erase the video from the “Useful Tips” channel - How to brew echinacea flowers
Rhizomes
The roots are collected either in late autumn after the plant blooms, or in early spring. The rhizome is dug with a shovel and removed from the ground. Next, it is cleared of soil, cut into small pieces, and thoroughly washed again.
You need to dry the roots in the oven or in an electric dryer. This is due to the fact that drying at temperatures below 40 - 60 degrees leads to rotting of the raw materials.
When drying roots in the oven, the door must be ajar to ensure a sufficient level of ventilation.
How to store dry raw materials
Leaves and flowers can be stored separately, or mixed together into one medicinal mixture. Store the herb in glass jars under a tight lid away from sunlight. The roots are stored in cardboard boxes, tins or dark glass jars.
The shelf life of medicinal raw materials from Echinacea is 2 years.