What is Echinacea OR Kariyat?

Botanical Name(s): Andrographis Paniculata
Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Lamiales
Family: Acanthaceae
Genus: Andrographis
Species: A. paniculata
Popular Name(s): Creat, Kariyat
Parts Used: Whole plant leaves
Habitat: Cultivated throughout India

Indian Echinacea is a traditional Indian herb, historically used as support for a healthy immune system. The main compound found in the herb is a diterpene lactone called andrographilide B. It grows vertically to a height of 30-110 cm. The plant thrives in moist and shady places, and grows along glabrous leaves and white flowers, with rose-purple colored spots on the petals. Its stems are dark green in color and have a height of 0.3 - 1.0 m and a diameter of 2-6 mm. Indian Echinacea is found in isolated patches in the tropical Asian countries. It is a versatile medicinal herb, known for its many positive uses for human health.

Plant Chemicals

• Bitter diterpenoid lactones, especially deoxy-andrographolide, andrographolide and ncoandrographolide have been isolated from the whole plant and leaves.
• Diterpene dimers
• Flavonoids, which are available in the roots.
• The main active constituents and marker compounds (considered to be the andrographolides and andrographis extracts) are often standardized to these compounds.

Uses & Benefits of Indian Echinacea

• Indian echinacea has been found to be an effective anti-biotic, anti-viral, and anti-parasitic and immune system stimulant.
• It is used in viral hepatitis, children's bowel complaints, gastric acidity; drug induced liver damage, liver congestion and flatulence.
• The herb is being increasingly used as treatment for cold. Reasonably good evidence tells us that it can reduce the severity of cold symptoms. It may also help prevent the occurrence of colds.
• It is also known to promote digestion and serves to protect the liver and the gall bladder. It kills the intestinal worms and supports the intestine.
• Indian echinacea promotes a healthy heart by preventing blocked arteries and blood clots. It has a bitter taste, which has a cooling effect on the body, good enough to bring down a temperature.
• In case of a loss of appetite in children, the plant is used to promote hunger. It is also used as a febrifuge, stomachic, tonic, alterative, anthelmintic, antispasmodic etc.
• The plant is capable of working as an expectorant, serving to promote mucus discharge from the respiratory system.
• Indian echinacea is a known to be a relaxing herb, though it may not have the same effect as that the accepted herbal sedatives, valerian roots, hop, skullcap, etc.

Caution

• Indian echinacea plant contains some toxic materials, though the level of toxicity is very low.
• In some instances, consumption of the plant has resulted in dizziness and heart palpitations.
• Allergic reactions are also associated with the plant, as put forward by some studies.

Echinacea is a well known natural remedy that is mainly used for the treatment of colds and flu.  It is a great infection fighter and natural antibiotic.  Read on to learn more about its benefits.

What is Echinacea?

Echinacea is an herbal medicine that is best known for boosting the immune system.  It is also effective for many other things.  Echinacea stimulates the immune functions and promotes T-cell activation.  It helps the body’s white cells to attack the viruses and bacteria that lead to illness or infection.  Research has also found Echinacea to be effective as an antiviral or antifungal.

What can Echinacea be used for?

Echinacea is most famous for its use for colds, coughs, flu and other respiratory conditions but it can also be used for:

• enlarged lymph glands
• sore throat
• urinary tract infections
• other minor infections
• may help with herpes and candida
• wounds, skin regeneration and skin infections when used externally
• psoriasis, eczema treatments, and inflammatory skin conditions when used externally
• promoting healing
• strengthening the immune system
• ear aches
• lymph gland problems

When used for colds and flu, studies have shown that Echinacea has effectively reduced the symptoms and duration of the cold or flu.  It will not stop you from catching the cold or flu, but if you take it as soon as you feel the symptoms coming on, it will be much less painful for you.

How Should Echinacea be taken?

Echinacea supplements are available in capsules that contain a powder made from the dried plant or root, as a tincture, in lozenges, extracts, and pills.  In some cases, people may drink the pressed juice from fresh plants.  If Echinacea is being used to treat skin conditions, preparations containing pressed juice are used.

Echinacea is at its most effective when it is used aggressively – that is, a dose on an empty stomach every few hours.  It is even more effective if it is taken with vitamin C which also helps to fight infection.  In general, Echinacea should not be taken for more than 1-2 weeks at a time, as it can lose its effect over time.  Take Echinacea for 1-2 weeks, stop for 1 week and then take it for 1-2 weeks, and so on.  This can be a very helpful preventative strategy throughout the cold and flu season.

Source:- Various
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