Echinacea is a plant that grows in the United States and Canada. It has been used for years in ancient medicine to treat illnesses and infections and has made a comeback in recent years in the home remedies world.
Medical News Today recommends exercising great caution when buying echinacea from stores. Many of these products are not regulated by the FDA, opening the door for issues to arise. Some of the products have been tested and found not to contain any echinacea at all, and others have contained harmful products. Making your own echinacea is probably the best way around that problem. Here are 3+ benefits of echinacea and why you may want to have it handy.
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1. Boost the immune system. According to WebMD, studies show that echinacea increases the white blood cell count in the body. The white blood cells are what fight infection. Researchers' best explanation for the boost to the immune system is the increased white blood cells.
2. Fight infections. Medical News Today states that there is some evidence that echinacea may help the body fight infection.
3. Shorten life of a cold. No one likes to be knocked down by a cold, so Dr. Axe recommends taking this herb at the first sign of a cold. Studies are divided on how effective echinacea is, but some studies suggest that the life of a cold can be shortened by 1.4 days.
4. Fight illness. Medical News Today states that echinacea may help the body fight off illness as well.
5. Lessen effects of flu. As soon as you start to feel the effects of the flu, Dr. Axe says to start taking echinacea. The herb may shorten the life of the flu and should lessen the symptoms of it.
Caution should always be exercised when using herbal remedies. Most scientists and doctors agree that a person should not take the herb for more than eight days. To make your own echinacea, Dr. Axe says you'll need 3 jars and about 6 months.
1. Leaves. Gather young leaves in late spring. Get enough to fill your jar and then chop them coarsely. Place the leaves into the jar and cover them with vodka. Put the jar in a dark, cool place and shake the jar every day.
2. Flowers. At the end of the first month, gather flower buds and newly opened flowers to fill the second jar. Wash them and coarsely chop them and place them in the jar. Strain the leaf juice out and pour that over the flowers. Add enough fresh vodka to cover the rest of the flowers. Continue to shake the jar daily. Do this all summer and into late fall.
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3. Roots. Dig up enough roots in late fall to fill half of the third jar. Wash them thoroughly and chop them, placing them into the new jar. Strain the flower juice and pour it over the roots. Fill the jar with fresh vodka. Shake daily for 1 month before use. Strain the juice and store it in a cool, dark place. It's ready for use.
By making your own extract, you know what you're getting.