22 Sep Harnessing the power of Echinacea
Humans have been harnessing the power of Echinacea to help combat colds and flu for years. But did you know that Echinacea has a wealth of health benefits that extend beyond supporting the immune system?
What are Echinacea flowers?
Echinacea describes a group of plants which are part of the daisy family and grow in the mountains of North America. For centuries, Indigenous Americans have been harnessing the power of this pretty flowering plant to help them relieve the symptoms of all sorts of health complaints.
What is Echinacea used for?
Today, the flower Echinacea Purpurea is most commonly used as an over-the-counter herbal medicine to treat the symptoms of colds and flu. Usually taken in tablet form, this herb has been proven to help your immune system overcome infections and viruses.
Supplementing your healthcare regime with a daily dose of Echinacea can help keep colds and flu at bay. And, if you do come down with something, these tablets can help to reduce the severity of symptoms such as a sore throat, cough, runny nose and congestion, and many people believe it means you can shake off a cold more quickly.
However, as the Indigenous Americans have known for years, Echinacea can also help to soothe everything from snake bites to anxiety, and even lessen the severity of common skin conditions like acne.
How does Echinacea work?
Without getting too deep into the science, Echinacea flowers contains natural plant compounds which stimulate the immune system and make it work harder to fight off illness and infection.
Added to this, Echinacea has an anti-inflammatory effect inside the body. The anti-inflammatories contained in conventional pharmaceutical medicines such as ibuprofen, naproxen and steroids are associated with some pretty unpleasant short-term and long-term side effects, so it’s fantastic to be able to use a natural, herbal alternative.
But that’s not all: Echinacea is also loaded with antioxidants. These are molecules which slow down the process of oxidation and prevent damage to our cells. Foods like blueberries, kale and beetroot are famously high in antioxidants, but if you’re struggling to eat enough of these, supplementing your diet with Echinacea tablets is a great idea.
The other health benefits of Echinacea
- Echinacea may improve acne
If you suffer from acne, Echinacea tablets may be able to help. Because of its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, Echinacea limits the growth of some breakout-causing bacteria and therefore can help to prevent spots and blemishes. Plus, zinc and Vitamin C – which are ingredients in HRI Coldcare™ – are known for their complexion-boosting benefits.
If you’re prone to acne, you may also like to try HRI Clear Complexion™ and HRI Teen Skin, which can be safely taken in conjunction with Echinacea.
- Echinacea may lower blood sugar
Diabetes and high blood pressure are just two chronic health conditions associated with hyperglycemia or high blood sugar. Studies have shown Echinacea is effective in lowering blood sugar. Health experts believe this is due to the natural ingredient in Echinacea which can suppress the enzyme within our digestive system which converts carbohydrates into sugar.
- Echinacea may improve osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis and is most prevalent in older people. Some people who suffer from Osteoarthritis swear by Echinacea tablets which doctors believe reduce symptoms such as pain, swelling and inflammation thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties.
- Echinacea may reduce wrinkles
When used as an active ingredient in skincare, Echinacea has been found to help with reducing the signs of ageing as it combats oxidative stress, which plays a major part in the ageing process. If you’re struggling to embrace your wrinkles, look for skincare products which contain Echinacea extract.
- Echinacea may improve anxiety
Unfortunately, anxiety is something many of us will deal with in our day to day lives. Recently, early studies have produced positive indications that Echinacea may reduce levels of anxiety.
If you’re looking for a mood-boosting herbal supplement, HRI Good Mood™ is another powerful natural weapon to help alleviate the symptoms of mild anxiety.
Echinacea is a powerful natural medicine
Echinacea is one of the most popular herbs on earth, and it’s easy to see why. Whilst it’s best-known for warding off colds and flu, this special plant can offer a vast array of health benefits besides. More and more people are harnessing the power of Echinacea to help them overcome health issues such as high blood sugar, osteoarthritis, acne, ageing skin, or even anxiety.
Why not put Echinacea to the test and try incorporating a dose of HRI Cold & Flu Echinacea or HRI Coldcare™ into your daily routine?
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