Echinacea

Echinacea is considered to be the most effective detoxicant in Western herbal medicine for the circulatory, lymphatic and respiratory systems. Echinacea's use has also been adopted by Ayurvedic medicine. Plants in the Echinacea genus were probably the most frequently used of North American Indian herbal remedies. Echinacea had a very wide range of applications, and many of these uses have been confirmed by modern science. Echinacea purpurea is the most easily cultivated of the genus and so has been more generally adopted for its medicinal uses.
Echinacea has a general stimulatory effect on the immune system and is widely used in modern herbal treatments. In Germany over 200 pharmaceutical preparations are made from Echinacea. There has been some doubt over the ability of the body to absorb the medicinally active ingredients of Echinacea orally (intravenous injections being considered the only effective way to administer the plant), but recent research has demonstrated significant absorption from orally administered applications. Echinacea roots and the whole plant are considered particularly beneficial in the treatment of sores, wounds, burns etc, possessing cortisone-like and antibacterial activity. Echinacea was used by North American Indians as a universal application to treat the bites and stings of all types of insects. An infusion of the plant was also used to treat snakebites. Echinacea root is adaptogen, alterative, antiseptic, aphrodisiac, depurative, diaphoretic, digestive, sialagogue. It is harvested in the autumn and dried for later use.
Cautions: When taken by mouth, echinacea usually does not cause side effects. However, some people experience allergic reactions to echinacea, including rashes, increased asthma, and anaphylaxis (a life-threatening allergic reaction). In clinical trials, gastrointestinal side effects were most common.
People are more likely to experience allergic reactions to echinacea if they are allergic to related plants in the daisy family, which includes ragweed, chrysanthemums, marigolds, and daisies. Also, people with asthma or atopy (a genetic tendency toward allergic reactions) may be more likely to have an allergic reaction when taking echinacea.
It is important to inform your health care providers about any herb or dietary supplement you are using, including echinacea.
Echinacea should definitely not be taken if you are taking immunosuppressive drugs, most commonly used after organ transplant, as its effect is directly opposite to such drugs. Echinacea may possibly also worsen rheumatoid arthritis and other auto-immune disorders.