Echinacea is a perennial plant of North America with beautiful flowers. Echinacea is one herb that has been used for centuries as an alternative medicine. The Indians living in the North American plains were very familiar with its medicinal properties. This plant is also called the purple cone flower and belongs to the Ragweed family.

The roots of Echinacea contain healing properties and have anti-biotic, anti-viral and immunity enhancing effects. Echinacea boosts the immune system and stimulates phagocytosis that is most often used to fight cold and flu. If you feel that you are going to get a cold, start taking Echinacea at once. This may prevent you from getting the cold or if you do get a cold it would not be so severe.

Echinacea is also beneficial for other health complaints. It is effective in the treatment of ailments and inflammation as a result of infectious bacteria and viruses. Some of these health problems are arthritis, measles, smallpox and mumps. Echinacea can also relieve swellings or pains and can heal wounds. Echinacea mouthwash is often used to give relief to painful teeth and gums.

. Echinacea is available in health food stores and supermarkets as tablets, capsules, tincture, tea bags and tea leaves. If you have a reaction to Ragweed, do not use Echinacea. Drinking some Echinacea tea on a daily basis can rid your body of fungus that causes athletes foot.

Sipping Echinacea tea is also effective in relieving gastro-intestinal problems. It is not so much as a tonic but more of a booster for the immune system. With the help of Echinacea tea you can stay healthy. When used together with licorice it is even more potent as prevention against infectious and inflammatory diseases.

Echinacea is still one of the most popular herbs in Western countries such as Europe, Australia and US today. It is best known as a natural remedy for colds and flu. The true healing potentials of Echinacea to fight infections and viruses are not fully understood and more studies are needed.