EHinacea purpurea (Latin name Echinacea purpurea) is used in medicine as an immunostimulating and anti-inflammatory agent. The extract of the medicinal herb was included in a number of pharmacological preparations. Alcohol tincture of Echinacea is used to prevent colds and infectious diseases, strengthen the immune system, and improve tone.
Indications for use
Echinacea has a wide range of uses. The medicine can be used to treat various diseases and for their prevention. The drug is often used as part of complex treatment.
Also, echinacea monopreparations are effective in the following cases:
- metabolic problems and related diseases (diabetes mellitus, liver disease);
- stress and depression;
- inflammatory processes;
- infectious diseases;
- female and male infertility (complex treatment);
- after surgery and prolonged use of antibiotics;
- problems with potency;
- skin lesions.
Effect on the body
Taking the drug activates the production of interferon, which increases resistance to viruses and bacteria. The use of tincture helps to quickly cope with the disease, stop inflammatory processes, and speed up the restoration of damaged tissues. The substances that make up the herb have a destructive effect on viruses, stimulate the activity of macrophages and granulocytes, and direct them to pathological foci. Cytokines affect cells responsible for nonspecific immunity. Inulin and betaine improve metabolic processes.
External use stimulates skin regeneration, accelerates the healing of wounds and eczema. The antioxidant effect increases the elasticity of vascular walls and prevents the formation of cholesterol plaques. Echinacea removes toxins from the body, cleanses the lymphatic system, and improves blood clotting.
Taking the tincture normalizes blood pressure during hypotension and helps cope with nervous fatigue and drowsiness.
In cosmetology, the product is used to cleanse the skin, combat acne, and peeling.
Adverse reactions
In some cases, side effects are possible:
- stomach upset;
- increased fatigue, dizziness;
- high body temperature;
- skin rash.
Long-term side effects such as liver disease and a weakened immune system are also possible. Such effects may occur if you do not follow the instructions.
Pregnant and breastfeeding women, as well as those with pollen allergies, should take with caution.
Interaction with other drugs
When taken in parallel with immunostimulating drugs, disturbances in the functioning of the body's defense systems and deterioration in well-being are noted. The simultaneous use of tincture and antiviral drugs enhances the effect of pharmacological agents. Using an alcohol solution of Echinacea together with medications containing cephalosporin derivatives causes increased heart rate, profuse sweating, redness of the skin, and nausea. It is not recommended to use the product together with immunosuppressive drugs.
How to take Echinacea for children
Pediatricians often advise parents to give echinacea to ease the course of the child’s illness and reduce the duration of the illness. It is effective for runny nose, flu and colds. Only a doctor can determine the appropriate dose. Even a harmless decoction or tea can harm a child if self-medicated. Echinacea in syrup form is best for babies. The treatment regimen is as follows:
- Up to 2 years – 1 tsp. a glass of water 2 times a day;
- 3-5 years – 2 tsp. 250 ml of water 2 times a day;
- 5-15 years – 1 tbsp. l. per day (does not need to be diluted with water).
Reviews
Echinacea tincture – reviews:
Sasha: A few years ago, a massive fashion for herbal treatment began - everyone spent thousands of rubles on purchases from one well-known American website. I became interested in all this and realized: yes, most of the analogues are in the pharmacy. You buy cheap herbs or herbs, look for the right recipe, and don’t have to pay anything for beautiful, fashionable jars. So I made my own echinacea tincture. She has helped me live for 2 seasons (October - April) without ARVI and flu, with only one cold, which slightly tormented me for exactly 2 days. I understand that echinacea will not save you from serious pathologies, but it is a significant contribution to my new lifestyle. When you choose what to fill your body with. I think that since it has minimal contraindications, many people should try it.
Echinacea tincture is an excellent preventative against ARVI.
Sofia: I bought the tincture at the pharmacy when I realized that I was just sick of these colds and being overwhelmed at work, which caused me insomnia and circles under my eyes. They suggested echinacea - oh well. I drank it for almost 2 months. Was there an effect? There was, but not right away, about 3 weeks later. The volume of work, tasks, lack of time remained the same, but it became easier to bear.
Julia: What suits one, does not suit another. I drink echinacea every season and rarely get sick. But my sister is a pediatrician: she doesn’t believe in bullshit like antiviral tablets, or in garlic and echinacea. Although he says it’s not harmful, drink it, it will work like a placebo. And I gave my son chewing marmalade with honey and echinacea as a dietary supplement. I won’t say that I consider Echinacea a miracle remedy that doctors are silent about, but I also don’t deny that you can use it and it won’t make things worse.
How to make echinacea tincture
Pharmacy echinacea contains alcohol, so it can only be given to adults. In practice, you can give it to a teenager from 12 years old, after diluting 1/3 of the tincture with 2/3 of water. A teenager can be given no more than 10 diluted drops per day. The duration of the treatment course is no more than 60 days.
To prepare your own tincture, you will need to pour fresh flowers or crushed roots with 70% alcohol in a ratio of 1 to 4. Leave to infuse in a dark place for 4 weeks.
Characteristics, description, chemical composition
The leaves, inflorescences, and roots of the plant serve as medicinal raw materials. The herb contains a number of biologically active components that have a complex effect on the body's systems:
- polysaccharides, enzymes, essential oil;
- coumaric, caffeic, linoleic acids;
- flavonoid and organic compounds;
- glycosides, phytosterols, resins;
- mucous and tannins;
- polyamines, echinacin, vitamins A, C, E;
- micro- and macroelements (magnesium, iron, selenium, zinc, molybdenum, potassium, calcium, manganese);
- inulin, glucose, betaine, fatty oils (in rhizomes).
In a pharmacy tincture, 100 ml of 60 percent ethyl alcohol contains 20 g of echinacea. It appears as a clear solution from greenish-yellow to dark amber in color with a spicy aroma. During storage, turbidity and sedimentation are acceptable.
How to take Echinacea tablets
Medicine in tablet form is the most common type, especially for children. This is a homeopathic medicine that can be taken from 4 years of age. Children under 12 years of age can be given 1 tablet 3 times a day. A child over 12 years of age and an adult are prescribed 2 tablets three times a day. You need to take the tablet with enough water. The medicine is also available in the form of lozenges. They do not need to be washed down with water, but rather kept in your mouth for as long as possible.
Contraindications and harm
Contraindications for Echinacea tincture:
- increased arterial and intracranial pressure;
- suffered a stroke;
- brain injuries and concussions;
- pregnancy and breastfeeding;
- blood cancer;
- multiple sclerosis;
- defeat by tuberculosis bacillus;
- liver diseases;
- alcoholism.
Echinacea tincture for children is used from the age of 12 years.
People whose work requires concentration: drivers, pilots, operators of high-precision and traumatic equipment should take the drug with caution.
The medicine may cause an individual reaction in the body if there is intolerance to Echinacea purpurea and other plants from the Asteraceae family:
- pain in the stomach;
- nausea;
- stool disorders;
- headache;
- irritation and dry eyes.
- sore throat.
- itching
Side effects of Echinacea tincture are a signal to discontinue the drug.
Signs of overdose
The dosage of Echinacea tincture must be strictly observed throughout the entire course of treatment. Monitor how you feel during your appointment. If the following signs appear, consultation with a specialist is necessary:
- headache;
- blood pressure surges;
- sleep disorders;
- increased sweating.
In case of poisoning, use a sorbent; in case of an allergic reaction, take an antihistamine.
Incompatibility of use
The use of echinacea tincture with other drugs is not always possible. The medication is incompatible with the following medications:
- immunosuppressants;
- glucocorticosteroids;
- cytokines.
When taken together with tincture and drugs with cephalosporin derivatives or drugs with ethanol, rapid heartbeat, sweating, nausea, and headache may develop.
How to take echinacea for a cold
Echinacea purpurea is effective for colds. Even if a person has already caught a cold, you can take a herbal tincture to alleviate the condition. Echinacea kills germs, helps with high body temperature, and prevents the proliferation of harmful microorganisms.
To eliminate symptoms, you need to take medicinal tea. It will take 1 tsp. crushed herbs, pour 0.5 liters of hot water and leave to infuse for 45 minutes. You need to drink 250 ml of this tea 3 times a day.
Expert opinion
Immunologist Igor Butko often answers questions regarding boosting immunity. So, he says that there are products suitable for regular use, these are lemon, raspberries, viburnum. They can be constantly included in the diet, or you can “lean” heavily on them if, for example, you have communicated with someone who is sick and you risk getting infected from them.
But regarding echinacea, the specialist says that short-term use of the medicinal plant will not cause harm. And it’s better to drink it not in courses, but during cold symptoms. This will not disrupt the immune system or cause allergies. But many people consider the herb a panacea and take course after course, for six months at a time. It turns out that such an active “stimulation” of the immune system simply depletes it. It is not always necessary to stimulate the immune system and very precisely. The immunologist even compares the long-term use of immunostimulants to a whip that pushes an already well-running horse.
Regarding tinctures, Igor Butko notes: you cannot drink them for more than a month. Neither adults, nor, especially, children should be subjected to such “intensified” and completely unfounded therapy. This leads to a loss of sensitivity of the body to stimulation.
You will learn about other useful plants that have a beneficial effect on our immunity from the article: “Hers to boost immunity: how natural immunomodulators are useful.”
Echinacea is just one of the natural components that can help the body cope with viruses, colds, and fatigue. But it does not work according to the “more is better” principle; the use of echinacea should be reasonable and dosed.
How to drink echinacea for prevention
If you follow the instructions and do not exceed the prescribed dosage, the tablets can be a good prevention of colds and flu. For preventive purposes, Echinacea should be taken as follows:
- 4-6 years – 1 tablet 2 times a day;
- 6-12 years – 1 tablet 3 times a day;
- From 12 years – 2 tablets twice a day.
You need to take the drug for a week, then take a break for 48 hours and resume taking it again. The duration of the entire preventive course is 30-45 days.
Analogs
| Immunorm (tablets No. 20 - 160 rubles); | Immunal (tablets No. 20 – 280 rubles, drops 50 ml – 280 rubles); | Echinacea-Parapharm (tablets No. 40 – 112 RUR) |
| Estifan (tablets N 30 - 70 rub.) | Echinacea Hexal (drops 50 ml – 150 rub.) | Echinacin liquidum (solution 50 ml – 190 rub.) |
Author:
Sabuk Tatyana Leonidovna hygienist, epidemiologist
Drugs
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Overdose
Echinacea-based medications should be taken according to the instructions or doctor's prescription. It is especially contraindicated to exceed the dosage, otherwise the treatment may cause harm to the body, as well as provoke the following side effects:
- changes in blood pressure;
- tachycardia;
- overexcitement;
- insomnia;
- headache;
- diarrhea, nausea.
If such symptoms appear, you should stop taking the pills and consult a doctor..
