15 Natural Benefits of Echinacea Tea

benefits of echinacea tea

Hidden herbal benefits of echinacea tea

Before we find out about the health benefits of echinacea tea, let’s learn a bit more about echinacea itself.

Echinacea plants are related to sunflowers and known for their distinct pinkish-purple color. 

They are also known as Echinacea Purpurea (In Latin), meaning purple coneflower

Echinacea is native to North America, growing in dry and open wooded areas. 

There are many species of echinacea, each with their own array of herbal benefits. 

It was widely used as a medicinal herb by the Native Americans who used it to cure illnesses for almost 400 years.

Following its discovery in America, it was introduced to Europe by Dr. H.C.F. Meyer in 1860 as a medicinal herb. 

It enjoyed great popularity in the United States and Europe in the 1960s before antibiotics became more common and echinacea lost its place in the limelight. 

But echinacea is once again seeing a rise in usage as bacteria is evolving, making antibiotics less effective. 

Echinacea tea is arguably the most popular echinacea product in the present and one of the most widely accepted healthy herbal teas. 

Let’s discuss some health benefits of echinacea tea.

15 Natural health benefits of echinacea tea

1. Natural Immunity Booster

It is no wonder that echinacea is listed among the most powerful natural antibiotics. 

Research shows that echinacea extracts, rich in glycoproteins, polysaccharides and CADs have long been reported to demonstrate an increase in the body’s immune system

Several of the known antioxidants are alkamides, flavonoids, cichoric acid, caffeic acid and rosmarinic acid.

All of which help bolster the immune system’s strength. 

Further research is being conducted by scientists in regards to the immunity strengthening role of Echinacea tea. 

Fans of the herb expect to see more of its immunity benefits discovered soon.

2. Great for Skin Improvement

The prospect of Echinacea tea giving you good skin is a major cause of its sudden surge in consumers. 

With consumers now looking for a natural alternative to low quality and chemical composed cosmetics.

Beauty products rich in natural herbs seem to be becoming more of an option for ethically skin-conscious folks. 

Echinacea can help hydrate and moisturize the skin by increasing epidermal lipids, ceramides, and cholesterol levels.

It is also known for fighting several skin conditions helping to put an end to annoying skin problems

To complement that, it is also used for fighting acne due to its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties

Its antimicrobial compounds mean that it helps in soothing skin irritation and preventing the growth of acne-causing bacteria.

3. Beats the common cold

Echinacea can help in the prevention of seasonal and common colds

A recent study showed that 15 out of 20 people experienced a significant decrease in cold symptoms after taking Echinacea tea.

The rest felt no drastic reduction in symptoms but the duration of flu and cold was still somewhat shortened. 

This is the most common aspect of echinacea tea’s health benefits. 

The health effects of echinacea tea may vary among individuals, so it might be a good idea to try it for yourself.

4. Little to No side effects

Another thing to be noted about echinacea is that it has almost no side effects when consumed as part of a balanced diet. 

Of course if you try to binge on echinacea tea then you’ll be on the receiving end of an upset stomach

Some people with autoimmune disorders such as lupus, Human Immune-deficiency Virus (HIV), and AIDS are told to avoid echinacea supplements and you should speak with a doctor if you have concerns.

If you want to get the best from the health benefits of echinacea tea then you should consume it in isolation and not mix with other drinks.

Taking Echinacea tea with caffeinated products such as ordinary tea or coffee can cause an increase in heart rate, headaches, and anxiousness.

5. Good for Diabetic patients

High blood sugar levels can cause health issues like cardiac diseases and have proved fatal in thousands of cases if not properly dealt with. 

Different studies have shown that echinacea tea can help lower high sugar levels in the blood by suppressing carbohydrate digesting enzymes, resulting in lower sugar levels. 

It enables receptors that remove excess fat from blood, infamous for insulin resistance.

More research is needed on the direct health benefits of echinacea tea regarding diabetes.

But anecdotal evidence suggests it is a great preventative of high sugar levels at the very least.

6. Pain reliever

Echinacea Tea is a good pain reliever and reduces chronic pain in many lung and throat diseases. 

A recent study revealed that echinacea extracts helped in reducing pain in 30 adults that were suffering from different types of infections. 

The way to relieve pain using echinacea is to use it as a herbal tea or rub a paste made of the dried echinacea herb on the problem area.

More research is required to bolster the scientific evidence about pain-relieving potential in Echinacea.

However, these are the humble Native American origins of using the herb as a medical treatment, which they stood by for hundreds of years.

7. Reduces inflammation

Thanks to the high anti-inflammatory capabilities of echinacea, it is being used to cure or at least help in easing a wide range of viral infections. 

These include rheumatoid arthritis, ear infections, upper respiratory tract infections, and urinary tract infections.

According to the most recent study, Echinacea has been shown to decrease swelling, chronic pain, and rashes in patients suffering from inflammation. 

Echinacea also contains high concentrations of vitamin C.

8. Combats anxiety

Mental disorders like anxiety are common, especially among younger people. 

Sipping herbal teas like echinacea tea can have a relaxing effect on your mental health as they soothe the body from within.

Internally, the tea works by opening up blood vessels and increasing blood flow around the body.

By doing so allows the muscles to relax, making you feel more at ease.

9. Fights cancer

Uncontrolled growth of cells due to mutations in a gene is known as cancer. 

Laboratory studies have shown that Echinacea has great potential for fighting cancer thanks to its immunity-boosting properties. 

In one test case, echinacea even triggered the death of cancer cells by a process called apoptosis.

We can expect to see human studies on echinacea’s effects on cancer soon, and there is a high chance of positive results. 

If found to be helpful, this property will indeed be ‘the jewel in the crown’ among other health benefits of echinacea tea.

10. Boosts Healing

Echinacea can speed up the healing process of wounds largely thanks to its antibacterial and antioxidant properties. 

Echinacea can help dispose of dead cells on wounds to curb bacterial growth and infection while helping to build new cells and tissues.

Echinacea can be taken in the form of liquid extracts or in paste directly applied to the wound to get healing effects.

11. Prevents flu

A study in 2009 showed that human cells exposed to echinacea extracts were unaffected by possibly fatal bird flu, swine flu, influenza, among other flu viruses. 

The same results are expected of echinacea when used on a living human.

It would certainly be a good idea to take Echinacea if someone around you has the flu.

In order to get maximum health benefits of echinacea Tea, herbal tea should be taken at the first sign of illness.

12. Eases constipation

According to Medical Herbalism, Echinacea can improve the overall health of the stomach and gastrointestinal tract

It has been labeled as a mild laxative and helps in easing constipation. 

A cup of tea regularly can ensure proper bowel movement and better health.

2-3 cups of Echinacea tea may be required daily if the patient is suffering from more chronic and constipation.

Keep in mind not to take Echinacea more than the prescribed quantity as doing so can result in side effects like diarrhea.

13. Helps with Respiratory issues

Because of the anti-inflammation properties of echinacea tea, it can be used to treat a wide range of issues related to the upper respiratory tract.

These can include acute sinusitis, asthma, croup, tuberculosis, and whooping cough. 

A study of asthma patients showed that Echinacea works in a similar way to synthetic medicines and drugs in asthma treatment. 

Echinacea does this by reversing cytokines secretion in the cells of bronchitis.

Researchers further concluded that echinacea is greatly effective against allergic disorders that attack airways, such as asthma.

14. Energizing effects

Echinacea tea is highly energizing given its high concentration of Vitamin C

Taking a cup or two of Echinacea tea every day can help fight that sluggish feeling that always seems to hang around, especially after a large meal.

Take no more than 2 cups daily for the maximum health benefits of echinacea tea.

15. Facilitates Oxygen flow

Echinacea improves oxygen levels in the blood and helps increase erythropoietin production in the bone marrow. 

Erythropoietin, in turn, promotes red and white blood cell production, which increases the capacity of the blood to transport oxygen.

It also increases the oxygen-carrying capacity of a blood cell, ensuring that all organs are provided with their required amount of oxygen.

Health benefits of Echinacea - The bottom line

Echinacea is a popular herb and considered by many as a medicinal remedy for great overall health

It is gaining its long-lost esteem as more scientific research is being done to showcase its benefits.

Consumers should only buy Echinacea products from trusted vendors in the U.S. 

Only the highest quality will deliver all the health benefits of echinacea tea.

If you have any concerns about taking echinacea tea then be sure to contact your health provider before doing so.

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