The lovely echinacea flower is the best known antiviral plant. As a result, sadly, it has also become one of the most expensive. Extracts of echinacea root behave like interferon — your body’s own internal virus fighter. Echinacea contains at least three plant chemicals that have immune strengthening antiviral activities — echinaceine, chicoric acid and caffeic acid. As yet, nobody is sure if this is what gives the plant its power. What is known for sure is that echinacea increases your body’s levels of an important immune activator known as properdin, which despatches white blood cells to do battle with invaders. I am sure it is the combined synergy of the plant that does the trick.
Purple cone flower or Black Sampson is a plant native to the prairies of North America with hard-tobeat properties to stimulate the immune system, heal wounds, enhance skin, counter infection and calm inflammation. The Sioux used it for snake bites, blood poisoning and wound healing. Until the twentieth century its roots and rhizomes were primary agents for the treatment of fever and infections from flu and colds to serious conditions like typhoid, meningitis, malaria, diphtheria, boils and abscesses.
When drugs came into being in a big way the beautiful echinacea plant was almost forgotten — except in Germany. There researchers began to quantify its effects on the body, discovering that it has properties equal to and often greater than most antibiotics to prevent and heal infection. It offers cortisone-like anti-inflammatory activity, interferon-like activity to heighten immunity and an ability to stimulate T-cells — important mediators in the body’s immune system.
Used throughout periods of stress echinacea, which contains two polysaccharides called inulin and echinaceine, reinforces the body’s defence mechanisms. This makes it easy to ward off colds and flu as well as fungal infections. The body is continually detoxified and its vital powers to resist illness are strengthened. The immunostimulatory activities of echinacea make it a bold ally in fighting off viral or bacterial infections including boils, abscesses and carbuncles as well as healing wounds.
Echinacea can even help slow down the rate at which the body and skin age. This property comes in part as a result of its ability to prevent the breakdown of one of the body’s primary defence mechanisms — the so- called H-system of hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid is the intercellular cement that forms a barrier against infection and helps keep skin strong, resilient and youthful. As the body ages, an enzyme attacks the hyaluronic acid so it loses its viscosity and changes from a firm jelly to a thin, watery fluid. Echinacea blocks the enzyme’s effects. This inhibits the spread of infection and maintains good collagen and elastin in the skin, keeping skin looking young.
