Echinacea is used to boost the body’s defenses and prevent colds in children, the reappearance of cold sores or genital herpes, and generally to keep the immune system strong. There are many applications, properties, and health benefits, so here we’ll list them all.
What is echinacea used for
- Lowering fever.
- Reducing mucus.
- Strengthening the respiratory system.
- Eliminating symptoms of the common cold.
There are many properties and benefits of echinacea. This plant, prepared in drops or capsules, strengthens the human immune system, preparing you for changes in the weather.
You can take it with peace of mind during the days or season when the weather changes and cold sets in since the contraindications of echinacea and its side effects are relatively rare. Adding it to an infusion or a glass of water prevents catching a cold or getting sick.
Moreover, since it strengthens the respiratory system, the mucus produced from infections is milder, and it can even prevent it from occurring.
Contents
For babies
Some brands prepare special syrups for newborns. They often carry the label “neo” or “infant.”
Whenever you use a product for children under 3 years old, you should be very careful. It’s advisable to discuss it with your family doctor before starting the first dose in case it might be contraindicated for them. Their health is very fragile, and any internal change or dietary modification could affect their condition. However, as we said today there is echinacea for babies. This has a low concentration of active ingredients and is very mild. The dosage indicated on the label is also lower.
For children
Those over 5 years old find it much easier since their health is stronger. Therefore, there is less risk in administering herbal-based medicinal preparations, that is, phytotherapeutic compounds.
Echinacea for children is ideal for preventing the typical cold in autumn and winter. It also protects against the flu. Most children who take it do not get sick, and if they do, the symptoms like fever, cough, and mucus are milder. Sometimes, they might only have a brief feeling of being sick but nothing more.
Echinacea for colds
Perhaps this is the preferred option for everyone. Due to the properties of echinacea to boost defenses, it prepares the body for climate changes.
On the day you feel weak, you can prepare a hot infusion and add 15 drops of echinacea purpurea or angustifolia. This will activate the immune system, boost T lymphocyte production, and prevent health decline.
The amount indicated here is for echinacea for colds in its pure form or prepared in drops. If the composition is different, follow the instructions on the leaflet or label.
Does echinacea work for cold sores?
This infection caused by the virus called herpes simplex or HSV is very resilient. It is common for it to appear over several consecutive years at irregular intervals.
Typically, the symptoms reappear when there’s a drop in defenses, either from stress, anxiety, or a cold. Therefore, using echinacea for herpes on the lips or genitals is a good idea. However, it should be taken before the outbreak for it to be effective. Once the wound has erupted on the lips, it’s better to use a natural antibiotic like propolis or buy a cream like Aciclovir.
For genital herpes
The effects for this infection or condition are the same. It can help prevent transmission and future symptoms, but once it is present, controlling it through this means is difficult. Echinacea for genital herpes helps prevent symptoms, their reappearance, and discomfort.
It is quite common, as opinions on echinacea for herpes and fungi suggest, that the disorder lasts much less time. However, a good recommendation is to consult a specialist who can recommend a medicinal product and use echinacea as an adjunct, that is, as a complement to boost the immune system.
Does it work with other phytotherapy products?
The use of the extract is part of what is called alternative medicine. The understanding of plant properties and plant extracts to care for health is widely used, and in this sense, it is completely viable to use echinacea as a medicinal preparation within what is phytotherapy.
In addition to taking it alone, you can prepare it with a few drops of propolis or buy it already prepared in the exact doses and amounts. Let’s take a closer look at the mixture.
Echinacea and propolis for children
This mixture works very well for the little ones at home. The properties of natural propolis are antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, healing, and serve as an antihistamine. It is completely ecological when extracted from natural or environmentally friendly crops. It comes from bees.
In addition to its antibiotic and anti-inflammatory effects, it also helps reduce the symptoms of colds or flu when you take echinacea and propolis for children.
While fighting the infection or virus, you boost defenses, making it much harder for a relapse or incomplete healing to occur. Below we explain how to administer propolis to children.
How to take echinacea and propolis for children
- Syrup: Two 5 ml spoons a day.
- Drops: 15 to 20 drops diluted in water or another liquid.
- Capsules: Two tablets per day, preferably in the morning.
Typically, the medicinal preparation with propolis and echinacea comes in drop form. This makes it much easier to give to a child, avoiding the hassle of swallowing a capsule.
For adults
- Add the same amount of propolis and echinacea.
The ideal is to alternate these two natural extracts. It is good to take propolis to treat a cold or a runny nose, and when it disappears, continue taking echinacea in adults.
Doing so prevents a drop in defenses and prolongs the security of complete healing. It can also be used to improve immune response in people with allergies, rhinitis, or urinary or respiratory infections.
Does echinacea extract work the same as drops?
Yes. Normally, echinacea extract comes in a small bottle with a dropper so you can add the necessary drops each day, that is, the dose to prevent or strengthen after a cold and other types of respiratory, digestive, or viral infections we’ve mentioned.
Is it okay to combine propolis with copaiba extract?
You can combine them perfectly as long as you don’t have any type of hypersensitivity.
My little girl is 3 years and seven months old, she just had a cold. Can I give her echinacea as mentioned, 15 drops in water? Or is that too much? Help me out, should it be taken on an empty stomach? Is it every day? My little one gets sick often with colds and coughs.
The dose of echinacea for children is smaller than for adults, generally half of the indicated drops. However, it’s best to use a children’s formula since it will provide the exact amount according to the child’s age. Take it every day.