Echinacea Best Herbal Tea – Health Benefits of Echinacea - Where to Buy Echinacea

In naturopathy, Echinacea tea is the best herbal tea which contains infection-fighting natural anti-inflammatory properties. Echinacea also reduces the severity of symptoms and speeding the recovery process in conditions of common cold, tonsillitis, viral flu, and pharyngitis. Echinacea is scientifically known as Echinacea purpurea herb.  Botanists also named this plant as the hedgehog (Echinus) to describe the center as a prickly pineapple. This is one of the plants that are used to stimulate the defenses of our body. Thousands of scientific studies done on this plant have indicated that Echinacea helps in boosting immunity by stimulating the immune system. Echinacea has perennial hollow stems that reach up to one meter in height. This plant has long and narrow leaves that are covered with hair and showy mauve flowers that grow on the end of stems. The flowering season of Echinacea begins in June and ends in August. Health benefits of Echinacea tea are known in natural and alternative medicine that is why it is very popular around the world.

History and Symbolism of Echinacea

Echinacea is a popular herb that is native to western half of North America. Nebraska Indian Tribes used Echinacea herb as an analgesic and antiseptic. Sioux used this wonder plant as a herbal remedy against snakebite. In the year 1885, Echinacea was first introduced in the American Medicine System as a blood purifier and became more popular in the form of Echinacea tea. Some German researchers studied Echinacea and its beneficial effects on immune system in 1930 showing root of Echinacea has antiviral properties but its most important action that is beneficial for the mankind is that is a natural immune system stimulator. Now, Echinacea is not only used by Native Americans as a herbal remedy, but other countries like Germany and France are also treating their respiratory and urinary tract infections with Echinacea. It is also beneficial in wound healing. Echinacea tea is also one of the most important medicinal herbal tea used throughout the world.

Origin and Distribution of Echinacea

This wonder herb is native to North America as it is grown in the plains and sandy margins of rivers. Echinacea’s popularity is not limited to some countries but it is popular among whole world that is why it is cultivated as a medicinal plant in many European countries and is also naturalized in many parts of Europe. According to US Medicine, the genus Echinacea is a genus of 9 species of herbaceous plants that are also used in medicine.

Extraction of Echinacea Tea

The most important part used in extraction is root of Echinacea. The flowering tops and leaves are also collected in autumn, but most primarily the root is used for extraction of tea.

Benefits of Echinacea Herbal Tea

Echinacea increases the natural production and activity of leukocytes destroying harmful invaders of our body such as bacteria and viruses. Echinacea also increases migration of leukocytes to the areas that have acute infection thereby accelerating the healing and recovery process of body. Echinacea also increases production of interferon which is a compound produced by body which stimulates synthesis of proteins that block viral infection. Therefore, Echinacea helps in naturally preventing spread of virus by inhibiting an enzyme used by certain viruses to spread faster by body tissues. For this reason, Echinacea is used as a natural preventive for all types of infections like colds, flu, skin infections, and also respiratory problems. Echinacea tea is beneficial for recovery of people who were recently sick. Echinacea also treats physical exhaustion, fever, mental fatigue, and weak immune system. Besides Echinacea tea, other Echinacea natural products available are Echinacea bath essence and Echinacea creams.