Harvesting Echinacea To Make Echinacea Tea
Echinacea tea helps you warm up and may help boost your immune health.
This purple cornflower tea is great to have on hand when the cold and flu season hits as it helps to speed up recovery time so you are back on your feet.
Echinacea is a well known perennial herb with many medicinal benefits of which the most known is immunity support and protection against colds and other minor infections.
This herbal soothing beverage has been used by indigenous people for thousands of years as a natural remedy for its healing properties. Known also as coneflower or purple coneflower, there are three common types of Echinacea that can be used medicinally – Echinacea Angustifolia, Pallida and Purpurea..
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Before Taking This Medicine
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an autoimmune disorder such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or psoriasis.
Ask a doctor, pharmacist, or other healthcare provider if it is safe for you to use this product if you have any allergies, especially plant allergies .
Ask a doctor before using echinacea if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Do not give any herbal/health supplement to a child without medical advice. Echinacea should not be used in a child younger than 12 years old.
Echinacea Tea: Everything You Need To Know
Today were going to be discussing echinacea tea. Eventually, we want to cover every single type of tea that exists but its going to take a long time But youre not in a hurry, are you? Good, neither are we.
Here are some of the types of tea that weve looked at previously:
When it comes to echinacea, weve got a lot to cover. First, lets go over some of the health benefits. Talking about tea and health is always a bit of a controversial subject, but well dig deeper into that in a few moments.
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Echinacea Supplement Side Effects
There are numerous side effects that one might experience, here is a list via the Mayo Clinic. Granted, these arent very common.
Its generally considered safe when taken orally or applied to the skin, but pregnant women or people with heart disease should exercise caution although echinacea tea during pregnancy is considered to be safe it hasnt been studied extensively enough and many sources are cautious to give it the full, 100% green light. Raspberry leaf tea is a popular choice during pregnancy, as an alternative, to help ease labor.
It may also cause anxiety and nervousness, bad taste, bronchitis, constipation, diarrhea, dizziness, dry throat, dry mouth, fatigue, headache, heartburn, joint pain, kidney failure, mild drowsiness, mild nausea, mouth irritation, numb tongue, pemphigus vulgaris , sleep problems, sperm motility, stomach pain, upset stomach, and vomiting.
Heres a much bigger list of cautions and potential side effects on the Mayo Clinic site, so well direct you there for the complete warnings.
Before you become terrified from that long list, just remember this is a natural supplement that comes from a flower, and those long lists of cautions are common for just about anything. It is widely considered to be very safe to take, has been taken by Native Americans for hundreds of years, and may have many benefits, too.
Can I Use My Flower Garden Echinacea For Medicine
I was recently asked a question about whether or not common flower garden echinacea could be used as medicine.
Im sure youve seen it. You go to the local garden store to purchase some flower seeds to plant. I mean, fresh cut flowers are the best, right? You glance at the back of the seed pack to see what plants are included in the mix, and if you know anything about herbs, youll notice some common herb names listed. And in most premixed, cut flower variety packs, echinacea is one of those herbs.
However, is this the kind of echinacea that can be dug up and used in a tea or tincture? I mean, have you ever wondered that?
If so, today, Im answering this question and telling you if you can use your flower garden echinacea as medicine.
So, to get right down to it yes, yes, and yes! You can definitely use your flower garden echinacea as medicine. In fact, Id encourage you to do so, but first, let me give you some things to think about. I mean, not all herbs are meant to be used as medicine. Some are simply meant to be pretty!
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Which Form Of Echinacea And How Much To Give To Dogs
This herb does not taste good, so perhaps the easiest way to give the herb to dogs is to use a glycerine-based tincture. Mix the tincture well with the dog’s food. Do not give gel capsules because dogs have shorter digestive tracts, so these capsules often pass through the GI tract undigested.
Dosage depends on the needs and size of the dog, but a conservative rule is to give 12-25 drops of the tincture 3 times a day.
ReferencesThe Green Pharmacy Herbal Handbook: Your Comprehensive Reference to the Best Herbs for HealingDr. Kidd’s Guide to Herbal Dog CareHerbs for Pets
May Reduce Feelings Of Anxiety
Anxiety is a common problem that affects close to one in five American adults .
In recent years, echinacea plants have emerged as a potential aid for anxiety.
Research has discovered that echinacea plants contain compounds that may reduce feelings of anxiety. These include alkamides, rosmarinic acid and caffeic acid .
In one mouse study, three out of five echinacea samples helped reduce anxiety. In addition, they did not make the mice less active, in contrast to higher doses of standard treatments .
Another study found that Echinacea angustifolia extract rapidly reduced feelings of anxiety in both mice and humans .
However, as of now, only a handful of studies on echinacea and anxiety exist. More research is needed before echinacea products can be recommended as a possible treatment.
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How To Make Echinacea Tincture
May 19, 2017
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Echinacea is excellent for supporting the immune system during a cold.
As a teenager I was involved in dancing, acting and singing and went to auditions every now and again. The day before a very important audition I came down with a severe cold and could barely breathe through my nose! I felt terrible. Singing at an audition the next day seemed out of the question.
The local health food store suggested Echinacea. I took Echinacea tincture throughout the day and woke up well in the morning! This was my first experience with Echinacea and I was sold.
I was a little disheartened each time I became ill and wanted to buy more tincture. While it is not exorbitantly expensive, it is not cheap either.
Thankfully Ive discovered that takes very little time and money to make my own. Its about as easy as preparing a cup of tea. Most anyone can do it.
Today Im going to share the simple steps for making a traditional tincture with Echinacea. You can also make it with glycerin, for those who wish to avoid alcohol.
It is probably more beneficial to make a tincture with fresh Echinacea, but it is often easier to make it with dried material since not everyone grows or has access to fresh flowers and roots. When using dried Echinacea try to find some that has been dried recently and as always, organic is preferred.
Health Benefits Of Echinacea Tea
No longer is this tea merely just a topic of age-old folklore. The health benefits of this wonder-brew have since been proven. Most famously associated with the improvement of the immune system, Echinacea Benefits are now recognised by a vast number of scientific institutes as having the capability of warding off colds and flu.
One study of 95 test subjects with early symptoms of these minor illnesses, symptoms such as sore throats, mild fever, and runny noses, discovered that those who drank several cups of Echinacea Herb Tea every day for 5 days felt better sooner than those who drank regular cups of tea.
Further to this, a meta-analysis of 14 clinical trials found that frequent echinacea consumption reduced the odds of developing a cold by up to 58%, as well as the duration of a cold by 1 to 4 days. Yet there is still more to this herbal tea! Echinacea Herb Tea is rich in many different active and extraordinarily beneficial chemicals, including a variety of phenolic compounds like cichoric acid, caftaric acid, echinacoside, and many other polysaccharides and alkylamides.
These elements combined, along with many other components, enable Echinacea to provide anti-inflammatory properties and even improve skin care and oral health. If this wasnt enough, this herbal tea is also completely caffeine-free, making it a great choice if you are looking to cut down on your caffeine intake!
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Who Can Benefit From This Herbal Tea
If youre looking for a natural way to fight the common viruses that come around during cold and flu season, echinacea is a good bet. Its easy to find and prepare and can be consumed on a daily basis for up to eight weeks. Its beneficial for those who are already sick and wanting to shorten the duration of the illness as well as those looking to prevent infection.
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May Lower Blood Sugar Levels
High blood sugar can raise your risk of serious health problems.
This includes type 2 diabetes, heart disease and several other chronic conditions.
Test-tube studies have found that echinacea plants may help lower blood sugar levels.
In a test-tube study, an Echinacea purpurea extract was shown to suppress enzymes that digest carbohydrates. This would reduce the amount of sugar entering your blood if consumed .
Other test-tube studies found that echinacea extracts made cells more sensitive to insulins effects by activating the PPAR-y receptor, a common target of diabetes drugs (
Still, human-based research on the effects of echinacea on blood sugar is lacking.
Side Effects Of Echinacea Tea
Some of the side effects of echinacea tea include:
- Rash and irritation on the skin
- Worsening of autoimmune disorders
- Disorientation and dizziness
- Nausea and vomiting
However, these side effects are notably rare and do not affect the majority of people who drink this tea. For those with a sensitivity or allergy to other plants in the Asteraceae family , these side effects are much more likely.
Skin irritation or mild rashes are the most commonly reported side effects. For breastfeeding mothers, there is not enough evidence to prove whether echinacea tea is safe or not, but due to its potency, most doctors recommend avoiding use during this of your life. However, research has been done on the role of echinacea during pregnancy and it is largely believed to be safe during the first trimester, where many of the health benefits of this tea have the most effect.
Finally, the immune-boosting properties of echinacea tea can be dangerous for those suffering from autoimmune disorders or diseases, as this can exacerbate the symptoms of conditions like lupus, multiple sclerosis, or rheumatoid arthritis. If you suffer from one of these conditions, or any other that requires regular use of prescription medications, check with your doctor before taking echinacea tea as a regular part of your health regimen.
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The Ultimate Guide To Echinacea Tea: Benefits Side Effects And Uses
Echinacea tea comes from the daisy family and offers a sweet and potent floral flavor. This herbal tea may help boost immune health and fend off the common cold. Echinacea tea has long been used by North American tribes and indigenous groups as a natural remedy.
Today, research shows that echinacea tea is as healthy as it is delicious. Dive into a world of floral flavor and discover what echinacea tea has to offer. Read on to find out more about its potential health benefits and how you can brew this tea right at home.
How To Make Echinacea Tea
- Place a teaspoonful of dried extracts of echinacea in a container
- Pour 2-3 cups of boiling water over the herb
- You may add a teaspoon of grated ginger to the mixture to improve its flavor
- Allow the mixture to steep for around 10-15 minutes
- Add a teaspoonful of honey and fresh lemon juice
- Strain the mixture into cups
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May Offer Protection Against Cancer
Cancer is a disease that involves the uncontrolled growth of cells.
Test-tube studies have shown that echinacea extracts may suppress cancer cell growth and even trigger cancer cell death (
While it appears to be safe for short-term use, its long-term effects are still relatively unknown.
Summary
Echinacea appears to be safe and well tolerated in the short term, but its long-term effects are relatively unknown. It may not be safe for people with certain health conditions or who are taking certain medications.
There is currently no official dosage recommendation for echinacea.
One reason being that findings from echinacea research are highly variable.
In addition, echinacea products often may not contain what is . One study found that 10% of echinacea products samples did not contain any echinacea (
- Dry powdered extract: 300500 mg of Echinacea purpurea, three times daily.
- Liquid extract tinctures:2.5 ml, three times daily, or up to 10 ml daily.
However, its best to follow the instructions that come with your specific supplement.
Keep in mind that these recommendations are for short-term use, as echinaceas long-term effects on the body are still relatively unknown.
Summary
Echinacea products are highly variable, which makes it hard to set a standard recommended dosage. The dosages vary with the form of echinacea youre using.
Its considered safe and well tolerated for short-term use.
Suggested dosages vary depending on the form of echinacea youre using.
Are There Any Side Effects From Echinacea Tea
The general side effects that may occur from consuming echinacea include fever, vomiting, stomach discomfort, dry mouth, sore throat, and dizziness. Some side effects, such as redness and irritation, have also been reported when echinacea is used topically. For the vast majority of people, however, echinacea is safe, and the highly diluted form present in echinacea tea makes the chance of adverse effects less likely. Special consideration are listed below:
As always, its important to discuss any treatments, natural or otherwise, you are considering with your doctor beforehand, especially if you are taking prescription or over-the-counter medications.
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Easy Echinacea Immune Boosting Tea Recipe
Great recipe to soothe a sore throat, reduce fever, and works as an expectorant.
- 1 teaspoon dried Echinacea
- 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
- Honey to taste
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
- 2 cups boiling water
Steep the Echinacea and ginger for 15 minutes in boiling water . Once the steeping is done, add 1 teaspoon lemon juice and honey to taste. Brew this recipe at the first signs of cold or flu. Use 2-3 times a day until symptoms disappear.
How To Make The Perfect Cup Of Echinacea Tea
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You dont have to be a herbalist to know about the immune-boosting powers of echinacea. Its one of the better-known herbs, and for good reason.
Echinacea tea has been used for centuries to help fend off winter illnesses, and there are countless studies that show its an effective immune system stimulant.
Echinacea is most commonly taken as either a tea or a tincture. Echinacea tincture may contain more medicinal compounds because a tincture extracts both the water-soluble and alcohol-soluble components of a herb.
The problem is, the dosage for echinacea tincture can be quite high, around 1 ounce every 6 to 12 hours. When youre sick, you may not want to consume that much alcohol-based medicine. In that case, echinacea tea makes more sense.
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Echinacea: What Should I Know About It
Echinacea is a flowering plant that grows in the U.S. and Canada. It is also called coneflower. It is a member of the daisy family of plants. Echinacea has been a popular herbal remedy for centuries. Today, it is often used to prevent or treat viruses that cause colds, sore throats, or the flu.
You can find echinacea products in most drug stores or health food stores. It comes in teas, capsules, pills, liquid extracts, or dried herbs. It is one of the most popular herbs in the United States.
How To Grow The Echinacea Plant
It isnt difficult to grow and cultivate Echinacea. You can purchase plants from a gardening center, or take cuttings or root divisions from a friends garden, or grow it from seeds, which will germinate in ten to twenty days. Hopefully you are interested in preserving these at-risk plants, and will make sure you are getting organically cultivated plants instead of wildcrafted ones.
Echinacea is an herbaceous perennial that tolerates droughts fairly well. The plants grow up to three or four feet tall, and have straight stems that do not branch. A light fertilizing when you plant is all that is needed, and you will rarely need to water well established plants. Weeds will not destroy your plants, but they will compete heavily for soil with Echinacea, so you need to pull out the weeds as they begin to grow around your plants.
The plant takes two years to flower and become large and potent enough to harvest when grown from seed, but may flower the first year if you plant indoors first or have an exceptionally long growing season. Pick a moist, sunny spot with room to grow. Your plants will self-seed and spread where you let it.
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