Echinacea: top herbal for immunity!

« Atchoo! » That is the sound that we hear a lot during the fall and winter months. Flu epidemic is back. Between school, the office and public transport, it is hard not to get sick and not infect others as well. But no need to panic! Echinacea will be your best chance to boost your immune system for you and the whole family so that you can fight off the flu and other cold symptoms.

Echinacea virtues

Native of North America lowlands, the Echinacea is part of the healing plants that stimulates your immune system.

Why is Echinacea a must-have in our medicine cabinet?

Echinacea may help to ease symptoms associated with the flu.

The main effects are:
– Stimulate immune defenses
– Anti-inflammatory
– Antiseptic
– Healing effect

Why @MademoiselleCricri likes this plant and why she using it?

It is one of the most used plants in phytotherapy to deal with winter infections for the whole family. A single bottle at home will allow you to get rid of winter viruses, sometimes even before they totally show up. The Echinacea can also be used to boost your children’s immune system. As for her, she uses the H40 Echinacea Drops for her daughter. They are really effective and she does not have to do incredible tricks to hide the taste!

How to use it and which pharmaceutical form?

The action of a plant will not be the same depending on if you use it as an extract, in mother tincture, as herbal tea, in homeopathy, and so on. For instance, we shall recommend taking Echinacea in capsule form in case the infection has already started. As for sleepiness and chronic infection, mother tincture would be more suitable.

– In capsules
– In drops
– Homeopathic pellets: the easiest way
– In mother tincture with water

Homeocan Capsules PhytoCaps Echinacea

As soon as the first signs of cold or flu appear, you can take 1 capsule per day to help you relieve the symptoms.

Posology:
Adults: take 1 capsule, 3 times a day. Consult a health care practitioner if the use goes on beyond 8 weeks.

Homeocan H40 Echinacea Drops

This formula is doubtless one of her favorite because it is multi-purpose. She uses it for the whole family for treatments to stimulate our immune systems or in supplement in case of viral infections.

Posology:
Adults: (and children of more than 12 years): 15 drops. Children: (from 2 to 12 years): 8 drops. To be taken with some water (15 ml), 3 times a day and reduce doses when improvements or according to recommendations of a health care practitioner. To be taken between meals.

Homeocan Echinacea Homeopathic Pellets

She loves these pellets because it is an easy option to bring along throughout her busy day and continue the treatment easily: either she is in a meeting, outside or when she goes with her daughter to her activities, they follow her everywhere I go!

Posology:
Adults (more than 12 years): 3 pellets three times a day. To be melt under the tongue and reduce doses when improvements or according to recommendations of a health care practitioner. To be taken between meals.

Homeocan Echinacea Mother Tincture

As a naturopath, she likes to work with mother tinctures because they are highly-concentrated in plant. She recommends them in case of tiredness and/or if you easily get sick.

Posology: Adults and children (12 years and more): 30 drops 3 times a day in a glass of water or according to recommendations of a health practitioner if the use goes on beyond 8 weeks.

Contraindications: asthma or allergies in Asteraceae plants family (sunflower, ragweed, chrysanthemun, marguerites, etc), immune system disorders, an autoimmune disease, tuberculosis pr AIDS. Some Echinacea preparations can not suit to pregnant or breast-feeding women. In case of doubt, make sure to always ask advice from a healthcare professional before consuming it.

Do you know Echinacea? Are you interested in trying one of those products this winter?

* Credit Photos: © Christine Lacaze
** Article written in collaboration with Christine Lacaze, creator and author of the webzine Mademoiselle Cricri. However, her opinions are 100% honest!
*** In case of doubt, don’t hesitate to ask advice from a healthcare professional.