Echinacea - A Miracle Herb Exciting new research into Echinacea root has recently been published titled Echinacea: a Miracle Herb against Aging and Cancer?. When mice were given Echinacea root they LIVED 20-30% LONGER! As we head towards the end of a serious flu season, it could seem beneficial to only present to you how Echinacea can help prevent colds and flu s. But this would be seriously limiting information to you about this miracle herb. Are you concerned about you or your family catching influenza? Are you sick of being sick? When you get a cold do you usually end up at the Doctor needing antibiotics? Have you taken more than 3 prescriptions of antibiotics? Are your children suffering reoccurring infections and always seem to be unwell? Would you like to help protect yourself from tumours? Do you have poor immunity or an auto immune disease? Fancy more energy and vitality? Would you like to be in the best health you can be? Then read more on how Echinacea root can help you!
What is Immunity? Immunity is a term that describes a state of having sufficient defences to avoid infection, disease or other unwanted biological invasion. The immune system includes certain types of white blood cells. It also includes chemicals and proteins in the blood, such as antibodies. Some of these directly attack foreign substances in the body, and others work together to help the immune system cells. Natural killer cells (NK cells) and monocytes are types of white blood cells called lymphocytes, a component of the innate immune system. The innate immune system is the body s first line of defence against infection. NK cells play a major role in fighting infections and tumours. Research shows that Echinacea root improves innate immunity and how effective its role is in preventative health. Echinacea & Immune Enhancement! Enhancing your immunity will help your immune system to be able to better cope with fighting against bacterial and viral infections as it primes the immune system to kick into action quicker and more effectively. It may also help protect you against tumour formation. Echinacea root was given to young adult mice and in 7 days there was a 25% increase to the numbers of NK cell and monocytes. Antibiotics Firstly, let s not forget that these can be life saving and since their use in the late 1930 s, death from bacterial infections plummeted and life expectancy rose by 8 years. However, by 1999 resistance to all known antibiotics has emerged and no new antibiotics have been developed since the late 1960 s. Few drug companies are willing to invest in drugs designed for short term use. The World Health Organisation (WHO) warned in March 2012 that Antimicrobial resistance threatens a return to the pre-antibiotic era. Dr Chan, the director of the WHO stated A post-anti biotic era means, in effect, an end to modern medicine as we know it. Things as common as a Strep. throat or a child s scratched knee could once again kill. Over 7000 Australians die each year from anti-biotic resistant infections. Australia is one of the highest users of antibiotics in the world with 22 doses per 1000 people every day. And it s not just what the Dr prescribes. We are exposed to antibiotics every day in animal products in fact over 56% of all antibiotics imported into Australia every year is used in stock feed. This is to not only kill the infections that are rife in confined spaces, but long term antibiotic use also increases weight gain in animals.
The Danger of the Viral Load This is a real issue in our society. The viral load is how many viruses you have had throughout your life. Viruses include the Common Cold, Influenza, Herpes, Glandular fever, Ross River Fever to name a few. Many serious chronic diseases have been linked to a large viral load such as fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, auto immune diseases & cancer. Echinacea - Prevention is Better Than Cure? Prevention is the key. Herbalists have believed for 100 s of years that taking Echinacea root long term is the best way to prevent disease and now we have the research to back this up! A clinical trial was undertaken with 175 participants travelling long haul on commercial flights in economy class. Echinacea root was given before and during the flight. Findings showed that the group taking Echinacea root were 50% less likely to suffer upper respiratory symptoms (colds) than the placebo group. Another trial of 260 medical students were tested on the effectiveness of Echinacea in preventing winter colds. The study showed that the group who were given Echinacea were 5 x less likely to catch a cold than the control group. Echinacea & Restoring the Aging Immune System Your immune system (NK cells) decline in number and function as you get older, and this is thought to be one factor behind the increase of various cancers with age. Experiments conducted in elderly mice found that after taking Echinacea for 2 weeks, NK cell numbers and function had returned to the levels seen in young adults. Is Echinacea Safe to take Every Day? Yes! It is totally safe and the myths that it wears out the immune system are simply untrue and this has been proven in research. As soon as you stop taking Echinacea NK cell numbers drop within days. However, as with any herb or drug, resistance can occur and for this reason we recommend that unless prescribed, it is best to have a 1 week break every 2-3 months. This is the case for all natural supplements. Echinacea s History & Uses Echinacea has been used by Native American tribes for centauries and its use was then adopted by the Eclectic physicians and by 1921 it was the most prescribed treatment. The Native Americans have preliminary used Echinacea to treat fatigue and as a male tonic. Research has also show Echinacea to have antioxidant, anti inflammatory and adaptogenic properties. Adaptogen is a very special factor of some herbs as they help the body cope with stress of all types better. This is a topic in itself!
Echinacea for Babies and Children Echinacea is totally safe for babies and children. If children are breastfed they gain immunity from their mother s breastmilk. If you have a healthy, robust child who is or has been breastfed, eats a healthy organic diet and lives a carefree happy life with minimal stress, then I see no reason to give your child Echinacea everyday. However, this is often not the case. I see many children and babies who are frequently sick with colds, chest infections, tonsillitis, ear infections or who suffer eczema & asthma & who have been given multiple antibiotics already at a very early age. The worst case I have seen is a 9 month old baby that had already had 8 courses of antibiotics. Sadly this is not an isolated case. Prolonged or reoccurring infections are not only abnormal; they can lead to more serious diseases. Over use of antibiotics in children has been linked to inflammatory bowel disease such as ulcerative colitis and crohns disease. Antibioitic use in infants under 6 months old is associated in children being overweight. Don t Waste Your Money on any Echinacea It s the root that contains the alkalamides, the important plant chemicals that boosts your immunity. The correct species is also important. Cheaper Echinacea uses the wrong plant part (the tops) and often the wrong sub species as it s far cheaper. This has little effect on your immune system at all so don t waste your money! What to do if you do get sick Call Aurora Wellness! Whilst Echinacea is the best herb to improve your immunity, it is not the best herb to help your body fight current infections, however it can be used in conjunction with other herbs. Herbs such as Andrographis, Holy Basil & Cat s Claw may are all key immune herbs. Other herbs that treat the specific infection should also be used ie we use different herbs to treat bronchitis that we do to treat a urinary tract infection. All practitioners at Aurora Wellness are very skilled at treating a wide range of infections. For existing clients a consultation may not even be necessary if the illness is acute and not long lasting. Just pop into the clinic and see us at the first sign of any infection. Acting quickly is very important. Get your Echinacea at Aurora Wellness we only stock the best! At Aurora Wellness we only stock the best quality Echinacea. We have tablet and liquid preparations and even very tasty Echinacea that children just love! We would be very happy to discuss with you how Echinacea can help enhance your immunity and perhaps help you to live a longer and healthier life.
The 4 Key Echinacea Myths 1. Echinacea can only be taken for short periods. Long-term use will wear out the immune system 2. The active parts of Echinacea are the tops and must be extracted in water 3. Echinacea is the best herb to treat viral infections once they have occurred 4. Echinacea is dangerous in auto immune disease Echinacea Conclusions and Recommendations 1. Taking Echinacea root daily could help you live longer! 2. Taking Echinacea root daily is the best and most proven way to enhance your and your families immune system. 3. Taking Echinacea root as you get older may restore your immune system to that of a young adult. 4. It is best used to prevent infections but can also help to treat infections too 5. Echinacea may be beneficial in autoimmune disease due to its immune modulation role 6. Long term use of Echinacea root is not only beneficial, it is necessary for it s full immune effects 7. Echinacea also has a role in treating chronic infections 8. Echinacea is totally safe for children, pregnancy and breastfeeding Please call the clinic or pop in to pick some up today! References Brousseau M, Miller SC. Biogerontology 2005; 6: 157-163 Currier NL, Lejtenji D, Miller SC. Phytomedicine 2003; 10: 145-153 Currier NL, Miller SC. Exp Geronotol 2000; 35: 627-639 Eun LZ-Y, Currier NL, Miller SC, J Altern Complement Med 1999; 5: 437-446 McIntosh A et al. AANP Convention, Coeur d Arlene, 1999 Miller SC. ecam 2005; 2(3): 309-314 Tiralongo E et al. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med 2012: 2012;417267 Trasande L, et al. International Journal of Obesity 2012; doi:10.1038/ijo.2012.132 http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/health/2012/03/16/antibiotic-resistance-could-bring-end-of-modern-medicine/ http://www.abc.net.au/science/slab/antibioitics/agriculture.htm http://www.abc.net.au/science/slab/antibioitics/history.htm http://medicineaustralia.com.au/2011/04/07/new-effort-needed-to-fight-anti-microbial-resistance/ http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheet/fs194/en/index/html http://who.int/dg/speeches/2012/amr_20120314/en/index.html