Echinacea

 

What is Echinacea?

Echinacea is one of the most popular herbal products in the UK. Echinacea is a flowering plant that grows throughout Europe and North America. There are nine species. Some of the plant’s common names are the purple coneflower or black-eyed Susan. The leaves, stems, flower, and roots may be used to produce supplements, liquid extracts, and teas. People have used echinacea as a traditional cold remedy for centuries. Echinacea is registered by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) as a traditional herbal medicine. THR registration means it’s allowed to be sold in the UK for treatment of symptoms of the common cold and flu. This registration is based on traditional use rather than data generated from clinical trials.

Today, people use echinacea to shorten the duration of the common cold and flu and reduce symptoms, such as sore throat (pharyngitis), cough, and fever. Many herbalists also recommend echinacea to help boost the immune system and help the body fight infections

Source: Echinacea | University of Maryland Medical Center