This article will look at how to take echinacea tincture to prevent colds and flu.
Medications based on echinacea have powerful immunomodulatory properties. These drugs have a natural composition and do not adversely affect the human body in the form of complications or side effects. However, even taking into account the relative safety, you should consult a doctor about taking the drug in order to exclude contraindications and determine the correct dosage of echinacea according to the instructions.
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Three types of echinacea are used in pharmaceutical practice, which have immune-supporting properties:
- purple;
- pale;
- narrow-leaved.
Composition and properties
The composition of these plants includes several substances that have a beneficial effect on the bodyperson. Among them are the following:
- Echinosides. Found in flowers and roots of plants. These substances play the role of a natural antibacterial agent, have penicillin-like properties. Echinosides effectively destroy various types of pathogenic bacteria. Another of their properties is the cleansing of the body from free radicals.
- Polysaccharides. Concentrate in plant areas above the ground. When penetrating into the body, polysaccharides envelop the cells, thereby creating a protective film that resists bacteria and viruses. In addition, polysaccharides help cells restore their structure.
- Alkylamides. They are isolated mainly from the roots of plants. These substances have an analgesic effect. Alkylamides are often used in broad spectrum anesthetic drugs.
- Inulin. It is also found in the root of the plant. This substance is able to activate the work of white blood cells (lymphocytes), which allows you to quickly and effectively get rid of infectious pathogens. This boosted immune response speeds up the healing process.
- The minerals contained in the plant also play an active role in supporting the protective properties of the body. Echinacea contains potassium, iron, magnesium, aluminum, as well as flavonoids, essential oils, synorin, chlorogenic acid and vitamins.
According to the instructions, echinacea is prescribed as part of the complex treatment of infectious diseases, the causative agents of whichstreptococci and staphylococci, as well as tonsillitis, sinusitis and furunculosis. These drugs show a high degree of effectiveness as a prophylactic against colds in seasons with increased epidemiological danger.
Indications
What else does the instruction tell us? Echinacea has a wide range of uses. In particular, it is prescribed in combination with other drugs in the following conditions:
- Herpes infections.
- Skin rash and boils.
- Sleep disturbance, irritability.
- Taking antibiotics.
- Frequent colds.
- Long and difficult recovery.
- Lack of energy, weakness and lack of energy.
- Drinking alcohol, smoking.
- Increase in body temperature of unknown origin.
- Unfavorable environmental conditions.
- Other signs indicating reduced immunity.
Indications for use of Echinacea must be strictly followed.
Issue Forms
In pharmacies you can find quite a lot of drugs, which include echinacea. Forms of release of medicines based on this plant are diverse and suitable for all age groups. So, in particular, there are the following options for drugs:
- Different parts of plants, dried and packaged in packages of various sizes.
- Phyto teas for brewing, packaged in special filter bags.
- Juice obtained from a plant, which comes in the form of drops diluted inwater.
- Echinacea extract in liquid form, packaged in bottles of 50-100 ml. It can be added to tea.
- Tablet form with various dosages of echinacea. In this capacity, drugs are produced under various names - Immunal, Estifan, Immunorm, etc. Quite often, the composition of the tablets is supplemented with vitamins. The use of echinacea tablets is now becoming increasingly popular.
- Preparations from the category of homeopathic remedies. Produced in the form of granules for oral administration.
- Solutions for injection.
Instructions
According to the instructions for Echinacea, an alcohol-based extract is taken as a prophylactic for two weeks. A single dosage is 20 drops, the drug is taken twice a day, preferably before meals. If the violation of the immune system is severe, it is possible to prolong the course of administration up to one month, and the single dosage is increased to 25 drops.
As an addition to therapy for acute respiratory viral infections, infections of bacterial origin and influenza, as well as exacerbations of chronic diseases, it is recommended to take echinacea tincture three times a day - in a single dosage of 25 drops. The drug shows high efficiency at the first sign of a cold. Doctors also advise taking it for two more days after the symptoms disappear.
Echinacea for kids
According to reviews, this tool for children is simply irreplaceable. The child's body is moresusceptible to colds. Immunity, which is in the formation stage, is not always able to resist the negative effects of pathogenic microorganisms, which are present in large numbers in children's groups. Such exposure leads to frequent, recurrent colds, the recovery process is often delayed and accompanied by complications.
Children under the age of 12 should not take alcohol extracts of echinacea. Various syrups, tablets, granules and lozenges, emulsions are produced for them. It is permissible to brew herbal teas. Echinacea for adults is also sometimes prescribed for children.
Starting from the age of 12, alcohol tincture can be used to raise the protective properties of the body. It must be diluted with water, based on a ratio of 1: 3, and giving the child 5-10 drops of the resulting solution three times a day before meals.
Echinacea herbal tea can be drunk by children from the age of three up to three times a day, 50 ml each. In this case, the duration of the course of admission should not be more than five weeks. You can add tea to compotes and juices or use it in its pure form.
Indications for the use of echinacea, we have considered, then we will talk about contraindications.
Contraindications
In addition to the huge number of indications, there are contraindications to echinacea. So, preparations based on this plant should not be taken under the following conditions:
- acute leukemia;
- malignant neoplasms;
- immunodeficiency of viral origin;
- diabetes;
- hypersensitivity or allergic reaction to echinacea;
- tuberculosis;
- systemic lupus erythematosus.
Prolonged use of echinacea preparations can lead to gastrointestinal disturbances and nervous excitation.
In addition, echinacea has a toxic effect on the liver if taken for a long time. Be that as it may, all contraindications of echinacea are described in detail in the instructions.
Interaction with other drugs
Echinacea is not compatible with all drugs. So, you should avoid combining it with drugs that adversely affect the liver. These include the following tools:
- "Amiodarone".
- Anabolic steroids.
- "Methotrexate".
- "Ketoconazole".
Echinacea is contraindicated in combination with immunosuppressants such as corticosteroids and cyclosporine, as well as in the recovery period after organ transplantation. This is due to the fact that echinacea in this case can provoke an exacerbation of diseases and a decrease in immunity.
There is a lot of controversy about taking echinacea during pregnancy and while breastfeeding. The decision should be made by the attending physician, since only a specialist is able to adequately assess the possible risks and potential benefits of taking the drug. However, alcohol tinctures are unambiguously contraindicated for the indicatedstates.
Now it is clear that first of all echinacea raises the immune system. Let's see what people think about it.
Reviews
There are quite a few reviews of echinacea-based preparations. They allow us to conclude that the drugs, which include this plant, effectively "spur" the immune system. So, for example, many reviews contain information about the drug "Echinacea P", the use of which made it possible to avoid colds during a difficult epidemiological situation.
Especial attention is focused on the convenience of the tablet form of the drug. In this case, it is not a problem to take it anywhere and anytime, whether on a trip or at work. Also, the absence of alcohol in the composition is called a plus of the tablets, which allows them to be given even to children and does not create problems when driving.
Reviews of echinacea for children confirm the high effectiveness of the drug in the fight against viral diseases. Taking it greatly speeds up the healing process. For example, after suffering a sore throat, many experience a breakdown, and the body, under the influence of the disease, can easily catch a new virus. This is where echinacea can help.
You probably know that the human immune system is the protection put up by the body against harmful bacteria and fungi. Many negative factors (stress, hypothermia, etc.) can weaken these protective properties. It is in such casesechinacea can be a lifesaver for the body.
