What are the benefits of taking Echinacea?
Echinacea purpurea, the species of Echinacea used in our Echinaforce products, stands out for more reasons than one. Yes, it has a vibrant, appeasing colour, but it also comes with a host of health benefits. It can, for example:
- Strengthen the immune system
- Prevent colds and flu
- Ease viral symptoms
- Provide protection in winter
- Soothe a sore throat
Read on to find out more about these benefits, as well as the range of Echinacea products we have here at A.Vogel!
Echinacea… to strengthen the immune system
There are many factors in our day-to-day lives, such as stress or an unhealthy diet, that can weaken the immune system. Echinacea can be beneficial here as it is well-known for its ability to strengthen the immune system and keep colds and flu at bay.
Echinaforce Echinacea Drops
All our Echinacea products are unique in that the flowers are grown organically. They are then harvested and bottled as soon as possible to ensure that the end product maintains the active ingredients found in the plant.
The Echinacea tincture is made from fresh herb and root. Together these strengthen the immune system and help fight the misery of current cold or flu infections.
Research by the Common Cold Centre in Cardiff showed that Echinaforce:
- reduced the development of recurrent colds by 59%
- reduced the severity of cold symptoms
- reduced the number of days cold symptoms were experienced.1
Those who benefited most included groups more at risk of infection, such as smokers, people with high stress levels and poor sleepers.
Top tip: Echinaforce Drops are useful for those with digestive problems as they act quickly and are easily absorbed.
Echinacea… to prevent colds and flu
Echinacea can reduce the risk of repeated cold or flu infections so it can be particularly helpful for anyone who finds they are prone to these.2
Echinaforce Chewable/Tablets
Both Echinaforce Chewable and our Echinaforce Tablets help to strengthen the immune system and help fight current episodes of cold or flu. You can start taking these tablets at the first sign of an infection or take them longer-term for more general immune support.
As is the case with our other Echinacea products, the tablets combine both the root and fresh parts of the plant because this combination has been found to be more effective than dried extracts.3
Top tip: One Echinaforce Tablet equates to around 11 drops of the Echinaforce tincture!
Echinacea… to ease viral symptoms
As well as helping to fight infection, Echinacea can be useful when a cold or flu has already taken hold. Also, if those around you are suffering from symptoms, it is a good way to prevent those symptoms from hitting you too.
Echinaforce Hot Drink
The Echinaforce Hot Drink can be taken by anyone who already has an infection. It contains concentrated elderberry juice in addition to fresh Echinacea purpurea herb and root.
Research shows that elderberry and echinacea work well together to speed up recovery and soothe symptoms such as headaches and muscle aches.4
I'd recommend taking the hot drink up to 5 times per day in the first 3 days of infection and then 3 times daily from the 3rd to the 10th days of infection.
My Top Tip:
Simply measure out 5ml (a handy spoon is provided), pour into a mug, add hot water and enjoy!
"I felt like I was getting the cold. Took a drink and the cold never came to light."
Echinacea… for winter protection
As Echinacea helps to support the immune system, and can therefore keep cold and flu infections at bay, it is particularly useful in the winter months when these infections are rife.
Echinaforce Forte
This is a high strength product for those who are already infected or require extra protection during winter.
Echinaforce Forte can also be useful when travelling, as viruses are commonly found in the confines of aeroplanes, buses, trains and boats.
A 2012 study found, for example, that Echinacea might help to protect against the development of respiratory symptoms during a period of travel. Those using Echinacea from two weeks before travel, to two weeks after returning, experienced fewer respiratory tract infections than those who did not take any Echinacea.5
Top tip: There are around 32 drops of Echinacea in each Echinaforce Forte tablet.
Echinacea… to soothe a sore throat
A sore throat is one of the first signs you are coming down with a cold or flu, so getting in early to address this problem is advisable!
Echinacea Lozenges
Echinacea lozenges contain echinacea, essential oils, herb extracts and honey. Those who are already infected may find they help to soothe a sore or irritated throat.
Echinaforce Sore Throat Spray
The Echinaforce Sore Throat Spray can be used by those who already have an infection. It contains sage, as well as Echinacea herb and root, which together help to relieve irritation and discomfort in the throat.
The spray has a unique nozzle and pump that hits the back of the throat and targets the irritated areas.
Top tip: Use the Echinaforce Sore Throat Spray, 6-10 times daily, spraying the back of the throat each time, whilst the infection is rife.
References
1 https://www.hindawi.com/journals/ecam/2012/841315/
2 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25784510
3 https://www.japsonline.com/admin/php/uploads/1125_pdf.pdf
4 https://www.avogel.co.uk/conference2015/Vimalanathan-S-2013-3562.pdf
5 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22229040
Looking for a solution to help fight off symptoms such as aching limbs and headaches when you are struck down by the cold or flu?
