Symmetry Products with Echinacea:
Immunity, New Attitude, ColdRx
Native Americans are owed a debt of
gratitude for introducing the rest of the world to the wonders of
the purple cone-flower plant. Indians of the Great Plains first used
this herb as a remedy for snakebites and other skin wounds. They
also applied the root of this plant directly to the mouth for
toothaches and sore throats. Word of echinacea's healing properties
traveled back to Europe, where it has become one of the most sought
after herbs and one of the better researched.
There is renewed interest in echinacea today in the United States
because of the herb's demonstrated positive effect on the immune
system. Many studies have shown that echinacea inhibits the enzyme
called hyaluronidase, which in turn helps maintain a natural barrier
between healthy tissue and unwanted pathogenic organisms. Thus
echinacea helps the body maintain its line of defense against
unwanted invaders and acids in tissue regeneration. Echinacea's
antimicrobial activities are widely demonstrated. In 1972, a
study appeared in the Journal of the Medical Chemistry
showing that an echinacea extract inhibited tumor growth in rats.
Echinacea was shown to increase white blood cell counts..
Several European studies show that echinacea appears to lessen the
severity of colds and flu, and helps speed recovery. Echinacea has
also been used successfully to control candida, an annoying and
persistent fungal infection. In fact, patients who used an
antifungal cream and echinacea extract were less likely to suffer a
recurrence than those treated solely with the antifungal cream.
Other studies show that topical echinacea has been used successfully
to control psoriasis and eczema.
Many of the active compounds in echinacea can be destroyed during
processing. Freeze-drying is the most effective way to preserve this
herb's healing properties.
Echinacea has a number of constituents with immune supporting
properties, and they appear to work synergistically.
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