Echinacea (coneflower) plants are not only popular as ornamental plants, but also as herbal plants that are beneficial for health. Echinacea is now available in the form of supplements and herbal drinks. What are the health benefits of this plant? Check out the following review.

What is Echinacea?

Echinacea, also known as coneflower, is a flowering plant that belongs to the daisy family. It is native to North America and grows in grasslands in open forest areas.

Overall, this group has nine species, but only three are used in herbal supplements, namely Echinacea purpurea, Echinacea angustifolia, and Echinacea pallida. Generally, Echinacea plants used as herbal medicine or supplements are the Echinacea purpurea species. The tops and roots of the plant can be processed into tablets, tinctures, extracts, and herbal teas.

Echinacea plants contain a variety of antioxidant active compounds such as caffeic acid, alkamides, phenolic acids, rosmarinic acid, polyacetylene, and many more. This content is believed to provide a number of health benefits.

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Health Benefits of Echinacea

Some benefits of echinacea include:

Boosts the immune system

One of the most widely known benefits of echinacea is to boost the immune system. A number of studies reveal that this plant can help boost the immune system by fighting infections and viruses so that you can heal faster.

Helps lower blood sugar level

High blood sugar levels can increase the risk of health problems such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease and other chronic diseases. A test-tube study showed that the echinacea plant can help lower blood sugar levels.

In the study, Echinacea purpurea extract was shown to suppress enzymes that digest carbohydrates. This means that Echinacea extract has the potential to reduce blood sugar from entering the bloodstream, thereby lowering blood sugar levels.

Relieves anxiety disorders 

An old study revealed that the echinacea plant contains compounds that can relieve anxiety disorders, such as alkamides, rosmarinic acid, and caffeic acid. Taking 40 mg of echinacea extract twice a week for 7 days can significantly reduce anxiety disorders when compared to a group taking a placebo.

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Relieves inflammation 

Inflammation is actually the body's natural way of protecting itself and aiding the healing process. But sometimes inflammation can last longer than it should, increasing the risk of chronic diseases and other health problems.

A study revealed that consuming echinacea, can help relieve excessive inflammation. The compounds in echinacea are believed to be proven to reduce markers of inflammation and memory loss due to inflammation.

Helps treat skin problems

The echinacea plant is also widely used to treat several skin problems, such as eczema and pruritus. In a 2010 study conducted on 10 people, the use of skincare products containing echinacea extract was shown to improve skin hydration and reduce wrinkles.

Helps suppress cancer cell growth

Test-tube research shows that echinacea extract can suppress cancer cell growth and even trigger cancer cell death. In a 2012 test-tube study, it was mentioned that the cycloric acid compound in echinacea extract was shown to trigger cancer cell death.

In another study, echinacea plant extract can kill human cancer cells from the pancreas and colon by stimulating a process called apoptosis, or controlled cell death.

Echinacea plant extract has been shown to have a number of health benefits. However, further research is still needed regarding the benefits and side effects of this plant for humans. If you want to consume echinacea, you should first consult a doctor or use the consultation feature on the Ai Care application.

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