Echinacea
Echinacea is an immune-enhancing plant native to North America. It can provide immune support and varying degrees of protection against colds, flu, and other upper respiratory tract infections.
What is echinacea good for?
Different active components are found in different species of echinacea and in different parts of the plant. Many echinacea products contain only one species and one plant part.
- Phenolic compounds provide antiviral, antitumor, and antioxidant activity.
- Polysaccharides boost your immune system and reduce inflammation.
- They activate immune cells like macrophages, which eliminate harmful microbes.
- These macrophages then release signals that strengthen virus-fighting natural killer (NK) cells.
- Plant extracts from Echinacea purpurea and Echinacea angustifolia, are the two most immune-supportive species of this herb.
- These potent extracts amplify your body's innate defenses, enhancing your immune system's resilience.
Echinacea benefits
There are different compounds in the echinacea plant, with diverse functions. These include:
- Enhancing immunity
- Defending against common cold and influenza
- Helping provide protection against upper tract infections
