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Echinacea, belonging to the genus Echinacea native to North America and southern Canada, comprises 8 species and several varieties. Among these, three main species—Echinacea Purpure (purple coneflower), Echinacea angustifolia, and White Echinacea—are developed as medicinal herbs. These plants are characterized by tall stems and single flowers, typically pink or purple in color, resembling coneflowers with purple-brown central cones that are actually large seeds. The spikes on the plant resemble stiff combs or angry hedgehogs, hence the Greek-derived name "echinos hed," meaninggehog.
Echinacea plants contain a wide array of active compounds, including polysaccharides, flavonoids, caffeic acid derivatives, essential oils, alkaloids, caffeic acid, alkamides, phenolic acids, rosmarinic acid, polyacetylenes, and Echinacoside. These compounds play crucial roles in the plant's medicinal properties. Polysaccharides, for instance, stimulate the body's cells to combat infections.
Echinacea Purpure is particularly popular worldwide and is used as an immune system booster to shorten the duration and reduce symptoms of common colds and flu, such as sore throat, cough, and fever. It can also serve as a healthy and effective antibiotic alternative in animal drugs and feed additives. When combined with Hypericin, the active ingredient in St. John's Wort, Echinacea extract can protect poultry and livestock from bird and swine flu.
As a member of the Asteraceae family, Echinacea is also known as the American coneflower. Polyphenols and Chicoric Acid are two primary active ingredients in Echinacea Purpurea extract, which is traditionally used to alleviate symptoms of colds, influenza-like infections, and similar upper respiratory tract conditions. Overall, Echinacea is a highly regarded herb for treating flu and colds.
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