Echinacea Purpurea 100 g, 50 g, 25 g

Echinacea Purpurea – 100 g ($13.99), 50 g ($9.99), 25 g ($6.99)

Benefits:
Echinacea is used extensively to boost the immune system, treat colds and flu, fight infection, help speed wound healing, and reduce inflammation. Herbal medicine generally uses two species of echinacea, E. angustifolia and E. purpurea. Since each of the species has slightly different effects, specific disorders are usually best treated with one or the other.

Researchers have found that echinacea’s immune-stimulating properties are due to a host of polysaccharides and phytosterols. They help to activate macrophages that are directly involved in the destruction of bacteria, viruses, and other infectious agents. Echinacea also increases production of interferon, an important part of the body’s response to viral infections such as colds and flu. It has been specifically shown to activate an important class of white blood cells known as natural killer (NK) cells.

In folk medicine, Native Americans used this herb externally for burns, swelling of the lymph nodes, and insect bites. Internally, it was used for pain associated with headaches and stomachaches, measles, coughs, and gonorrhea. It was also used for rattlesnake bites. Today, the herb is used for prophylaxis and treatment of flu, sepsis, and mild to moderate cold infections. Externally, the herb is used for treatment of poorly healing wounds and inflammatory conditions such as abscesses and leg ulcers. There is no evidence that echinacea is useful for those who are at increased susceptibility to infection due to temporarily lowered resistance, treatment of leucopenia following radiation therapy, or chemotherapy. On the other hand, the German Commission E has approved the E. purpurea herb for use for the common cold, coughs and bronchitis, fever and colds, infections of the urinary tract, inflammation of the mouth and pharynx, infections, and wounds and burns.

Antioxidants  Echinacea plants are loaded with plant compounds that function as antioxidants. Antioxidants are molecules that help defend your cells against oxidative stress, a state that has been linked to chronic diseases, such as diabetes, heart disease, and many others (3). Some of these antioxidants are flavonoids, cichoric acid, and rosmarinic acid (2). These antioxidants appear to be higher in extracts from the flowers and roots of the plants, compared to other parts, such as the leaves (1). In addition, echinacea plants contain compounds called alkamides, which can further enhance antioxidant activity (2, 4).

Immune  Echinacea is best known for its beneficial effects on the immune system.

Numerous older studies have found that this plant may help your immune system combat infections and viruses, which could help you recover faster from illness (5, 6, 7). That’s one reason why echinacea is often used to prevent or treat the common cold. In fact, one review found that echinacea could reduce the risk of developing an upper respiratory tract infection by 22%. However, researchers did not find any significant effect on the duration of illness (8).

According to a 2014 review, many studies on this topic are poorly designed and show no real benefit. This makes it hard to know if any benefits on colds are from taking echinacea or simply from chance (9). In short, while echinacea may boost immunity, its effects on the common cold are unclear.

Echinacea tea has long been used as a staple in improving the immune system and fending off infections. Echinacea offers antibacterial properties that prevent pathogens from making you sick. Echinacea tea can also soothe a sore throat and minimize aches and pains caused by the common cold and flu.

A meta-analysis in The Lancet Infectious Diseases Journal investigated the role of echinacea on the immune system. Researchers combed through 14 studies and found that echinacea lowered the risk of common cold by 58 percent. Echinacea consumption also shortened recovery time by one and a half days. Drinking echinacea tea can help prevent illness and get you back on your feet faster even if you do catch a cold. Echinacea also helps to eliminate free radicals that cause oxidative stress and cell damage. This helps to improve overall health by preventing early onset of aging and neurological degeneration.

Craig Coleman, assistant professor of pharmacy practice and lead author of the study, added that, “The take home message from our study is that echinacea does indeed have powerful cold prevention and cold treatment benefits.”

This is exactly why echinacea products are one of several effective remedies for preventing and treating colds.

Dr. Coleman found that “the significance of that finding becomes clear when you consider that Americans suffer from one billion colds annually and spend about $1.5 billion annually for doctor’s visits and another $2 billion annually on non-prescription cough and cold treatments.”

The United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service reports that the immune system seems to be strongly influenced by the level of the echinacea dose. It appears that 10 milligrams of echinacea per one kilogram of body weight, taken daily over a 10-day period, is effective as an immunity stimulant.

In addition, the medical journal Hindawi published material suggesting that echinacea stops viral colds. However, the most significant results of echinacea benefits were the effects when used on recurring infections. To date, research shows that the plant probably reduces cold symptoms, but it seems that the effects of echinacea are more powerful once cold symptoms start.

Another study, this one published in Virus Research, evaluated the effects of echinacea against viral and secondary bacterial infections that often follow. Plant extracts were able to fight viral respiratory infections, including the flu, while also reducing inflammation and lowering the risk of developing bacterial complications.

Therefore, you can see from several controlled trials why echinacea products are used for viral illnesses, such as the common cold and flu, particularly extracts. They are a favorite recommendation for integrative physicians, homeopaths, naturopaths and more for their patients.

Respiratory  Echinacea tea may help treat asthma symptoms and upper respiratory tract infections. Often times, these infections are caused by allergies or the common cold. Echinacea tea improves air flow in the throat and lungs by relaxing inflamed muscles. Echinacea also suppresses histamine, which is the body’s overreaction to normal stimuli that results in allergic responses. Research published in 2015 found that echinacea has bronchodilatory and anti-inflammatory effects. These properties are similar to the ones found in synthetic drugs used in the treatment of asthma.

Because of its immune-boosting and anti-inflammatory effects, research indicates that this herb may work to improve the following upper respiratory symptoms:

• Acute sinusitis
• All flus
• Asthma
• Common cold
• Croup
• Diphtheria
• Inflammation
• Strep throat
• Tuberculosis
• Whooping cough

In fact, in a clinical study of asthma sufferers, echinacea acted similarly to classic synthetic drugs in treating asthma. Researchers wrote, “Recent studies have shown that secretion of asthma-related cytokines in the bronchial epithelial cells can be reversed by Echinacea preparations.”

In particular, echinacea showed significant bronchodilatory and anti-inflammatory effects. Study authors concluded that this “provide(s) a scientific basis for the application of this herb in traditional medicine as a supplementary treatment of allergic disorders of the airways, such as asthma.” For more severe issues, supplement products are the way to go as drinking tea, for instance, is just not concentrated enough.

Blood Sugar  High blood sugar can raise your risk of serious health problems, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and several other chronic conditions. Test-tube studies have found that echinacea plants may help lower blood sugar levels. In a test-tube study, an Echinacea purpurea extract was shown to suppress enzymes that digest carbohydrates. In theory, this means that echinacea might be able to reduce the amount of sugar entering your blood (10). Other animal studies suggest that the antioxidants found in echinacea could help improve blood sugar and insulin sensitivity (11, 12). Still, human-based research on the effects of echinacea on blood sugar is lacking.

Anxiety  Anxiety is a common problem that is estimated to affect nearly 7% of adults in the United States (13). In recent years, echinacea plants have emerged as a potential aid for anxiety.  Some older research has discovered that echinacea plants contain compounds that may reduce feelings of anxiety. These include alkamides, rosmarinic acid, and caffeic acid (14). One study found that taking 40 milligrams (mg) of echinacea extract twice daily for 7 days significantly reduced anxiety compared to a placebo (15).

In another study, taking 40 mg or 80 mg of echinacea extract per day was not associated with improvements in anxiety compared to a placebo. However, it did lead to improvements in positive and negative affect and emotional wellbeing (16). Still, research is limited and more studies are needed before echinacea products can be recommended as a possible treatment.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) And Yeast Infection. E. purpurea acts against Candida albicans, the microorganism that can cause yeast infections. In German studies, echinacea acted by stimulating the immune-system cells known as macrophages to engulf and consume yeast cells by 30 to 45 percent but did not increase the numbers of immune cells overall. The advantage of keeping the number of macrophages constant is that it helps to avoid inflammatory reactions that can accompany infection. These studies were on animals and human studies do not exist. Echinacea could be useful for people with CFS because yeast infections may accompany symptoms of this disorder. E. purpurea has been shown to stimulate cellular immune function of immune cells in patients with CFS.

Anti-Inflammatory  Inflammation is your body’s natural way of promoting healing and defending itself.

Sometimes inflammation can get out of hand and last for longer than necessary and expected. This may raise your risk of chronic diseases and other health problems (17).

Several studies have shown that echinacea can help reduce excess inflammation. In one mouse study, echinacea compounds helped reduce important inflammatory markers and memory loss caused by inflammation (18). In another 30-day study, adults with osteoarthritis found that taking a supplement containing ginger extract and echinacea extract significantly reduced inflammation, chronic pain, and swelling.  Interestingly, these adults did not respond well to conventional non-steroidal inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) but found the supplement containing echinacea and ginger extract helpful (19).

Furthermore, a review of 105 studies concluded that echinacea supplementation could be associated with several decreased markers of inflammation, including interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor (20). Inflammation is at the root of most diseases. Various factors — including stress, toxins in our food and poor sleep — all contribute.  Thankfully, as explained by the University of British Columbia, regular echinacea consumption can effectively reverse and alleviate various types of inflammation.

Products containing echinacea may even help with uveitis, or eye inflammation. It’s a good idea for people who struggle with chronic inflammatory conditions, like rheumatoid arthritis, to regularly consume the herbal tea in order to reduce system-wide inflammation.

Skin  Research has shown that echinacea plants may help treat common skin concerns.

In one study, a supplement containing a botanical extract derived from eggplant and echinacea was effective at improving mild to moderate acne compared to a placebo. However, it’s unclear how much of this could be attributed to echinacea specifically (21). In another 2010 study in 10 people, skin care products containing echinacea extract were found to improve skin hydration and reduce wrinkles (22). Similarly, a cream containing Echinacea purpurea extract was shown to improve eczema symptoms and help repair the skin’s thin, protective outer layer (23). However, echinacea extract appears to have a short shelf life, making it difficult to incorporate into commercial skin care products.

Cancer  Cancer is a disease that involves the uncontrolled growth of cells.

Test-tube studies have shown that echinacea may suppress cancer cell growth and even trigger cancer cell death (24, 25). In one 2012 test-tube study, an extract of Echinacea purpurea and chicoric acid — a compound naturally found in echinacea plants — was shown to trigger cancer cell death (26). In another older test-tube study, extracts from echinacea plants (Echinacea purpurea, Echinacea angustifolia, and Echinacea pallida) killed human cancer cells from the pancreas and colon by stimulating a process called apoptosis, or controlled cell death (27). It’s believed that this effect occurs due to echinacea’s immune-boosting properties (28).

There was some concern that echinacea could interact with conventional cancer treatments, such as doxorubicin, but older studies have found no interaction (29, 30). That being said, more recent studies in humans are needed before making any recommendations.

Fascinating research about echinacea benefits regarding brain cancer has been published by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Researchers state that the “medicinal value of phytochemicals contained in Echinacea is clearly evident and indicates that these agents, as well as phytochemicals not yet discovered in other herbs, may be valuable tools to combat tumors.”  The use of echinacea as another alternative cancer treatment is now being recommended, literally, “alongside — or indeed in place of — conventional therapy,” according to researchers.

Infection  Echinacea contains antibacterial powers that can fight off yeast infections and urinary tract infections. Most research shows these health benefits can be attributed to compounds found in echinacea leaves. In particular, caffeic acid and other tea polyphenols demonstrate antiviral activities that prevent infection. Some research shows that echinacea may boost white blood cell counts, although the research is still ongoing. Other studies including one published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition show that polysaccharides in echinacea tea may be effective in the treatment of infections such as HIV. These chemical compounds work by preventing the replication of damaged cells thus preventing infections from taking hold.

Echinacea is also a fantastic remedy for a whole slew of infections. One study found that taking echinacea and applying a medicated cream to the skin can lower the rate of reoccurring vaginal infections by to 16 percent compared to simply taking the medicine alone.

It’s also known to help with:

• Bloodstream infections
• Genital herpes
• Gum disease
• Malaria
• Syphilis
• Typhoid
• Urinary tract infections
• Vaginal yeast infections

Pain  Native Americans first used echinacea to treat pain. Today, the herb is used to treat pain from toothaches to rheumatoid arthritis. Echinacea tea can be used to treat digestive pain including cramps and irritable bowel syndrome. A randomized, double-blind study published in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine examined the effect of echinacea on pain. Researchers found that people who consumed echinacea used fewer pain medications to treat symptoms of the cold.

Echinacea’s history began when Echinacea purpurea was used by the Great Plains Indians as a painkiller. It’s an especially effective pain reliever for the following types:

• Pain in the bowels
• Pain associated with headaches
• Pain associated with HSV (herpes)
• Pain associated with gonorrhea
• Pain associated with measles
• Snake bites
• Sore throats
• Stomach ache
• Tonsillitis
• Toothache

Recent research suggests that Echinacea purpurea and angustifolia activate the endocannabinoid system, enhancing its pain-relieving effects. In in vitro and vivo studies, the herb has proven to reduce inflammatory pain, such as arthritis and burns. Some common ways to use echinacea products to combat pain are to drink herbal echinacea tea or make a paste out of the dried herb and rub it directly on the area that is affected.

Mood  The aromatic fragrance of echinacea can help to decrease feelings of sadness and stress. The scent of echinacea triggers the release of dopamine, which is known as a hormone that controls happiness. Echinacea may also decrease levels of cortisol, which is commonly known as the stress hormone.

A study published in Phytotherapy Research investigated the effects of echinacea on anxiety. Researchers found that echinacea significantly suppressed the excitatory synapses. This means that individuals felt fewer emotions of fear and anxiety when taking echinacea. While the echinacea was shown to regulate the synapses, it did not inhibit the transmissions entirely.

Mental Health  Echinacea angustifolia is the recommended species to help with specific ailments related to ADD/ADHD.

In a survey of herbal use in children with ADHD disorder or depression, echinacea was among the most common herbal medicines given for behavioral symptoms. Eighty-three percent of caregivers said they gave herbal medicines alone, whereas 13 percent gave herbal medicines with prescription drugs with the supervision of a health care professional.

Both adults and children suffering from ADD/ADHD have a higher-than-normal chance of experiencing emotional disturbances, especially:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Social phobias

It’s recommended that people only taking only what is recommended, as taking substantially more can actually cancel out the echinacea benefits that relieve anxiety.

Colds, Cough, Influenza, And Upper Respiratory Infections. Echinacea is one of the most studied herbs in humans; still, there is quite a bit of conflicting data on whether it is effective at preventing colds or for shortening their duration once they appear. The major problem is that echinacea preparations differ widely from one clinical trial to another. There are more than 200 different preparations that use various species and parts of the plant (root, herb, or both), as well as many methods of extracting the active ingredient. Adding to the confusion is that some so-called echinacea-containing products contained no herb at all.

In 2006, a Cochrane Collaboration review was conducted that compared the effectiveness of echinacea with a placebo, no treatment, or another treatment. This is a system often used in medicine to compare different studies on the same thing, such as a particular herb or drug. Of the sixteen studies identified, most looked at whether echinacea was effective for preventing and treating a cold. Nine out of the sixteen studies showed that echinacea was beneficial for treating a cold, but not one showed echinacea to be effective at reducing the chances of catching a cold. Because of the lack of standardization of the herb, another comprehensive review of eleven studies found echinacea not to be beneficial for treating the common cold.

Even when a standardized echinacea was used in a well-controlled study, where 437 participants were given a cold virus, there was no difference from the placebo group in length of sickness, the amount of virus measured in the blood, volume of nasal secretions, or nasal-lavage specimen measurement of key immune-system cells. This study used E. angustifolia root.

Laxative  Like many herbs, echinacea is particularly healing for the stomach and entire gastrointestinal tract. According to Medical Herbalism, for example, it has been shown to work as a mild laxative that provides constipation relief and works as a calming agent.

Drinking the herbal tea is especially effective to help with this. For more chronic conditions, a cup of tea every day can help loosen the bowels — whereas two to three cups per day can help with sudden bouts.

However, to reduce the risk of side effects, be sure not to overuse this herb. To be safe, be sure to limit your tea to two cups a day, max, and take supplements as directed on their labels.

Ear infection. E. angustifolia, especially when used with goldenseal, stops drainage and speeds healing. This combination of herbs increases the body’s production of immune globulins that attack both bacteria and viruses, such as those that commonly cause ear infection.

Herpes. Treatment with the plant and root extract of E. purpurea had no significant benefit in patients with recurrent genital herpes.

Recommended Uses
Since E. angustifolia and E. purpurea are not completely interchangeable, you should try to use the species of echinacea suited to each specific condition. (The entries for specific disorders in Part Two designate appropriate species, forms, and dosages.) All forms of echinacea are extraordinarily nontoxic. Do not take echinacea for longer than three months. If used over the long term, E. purpurea can deplete the body’s stores of vitamin E.

Depending upon which form is used, there are different recommended daily doses. For the E. purpurea herb, the dose is 6 to 9 milliliters of the juice; for the E. purpurea root, it is 30 to 60 drops as a tincture, and for the E. pallid herb and root, a daily dose is 900 milligrams. For the E. angustifolia herb and root, there is no daily dose because of the lack of efficacy. For external use, at least a 15 percent pressed juice product is desirable.

Side effects of all forms are minimal and rare except when it is provided intravenously or used for longer than the recommended time. With intravenous use, side effects include headache, dizziness, nausea, constipation, skin redness, and some breathing difficulties in persons known to have other allergies.

If you have an autoimmune disease such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus, or a chronic infection such as HIV/AIDS or tuberculosis, you should not use echinacea. This is especially important for persons with HIV/AIDS. In stimulating immune function, echinacea slightly increases the production of T cells, the immune cells attacked by HIV. When there are more T cells, the virus has both more cells to infect and more opportunities to mutate into a drug-resistant form. People with diabetes and those who tend to get allergies should not get intravenous echinacea.

If you are trying to get pregnant, it is probably best not to take echinacea. Both of the most widely used echinacea species contain a substance that can interfere with the release of unfertilized eggs into the fallopian tube, so they may decrease a woman’s fertility. This has only been demonstrated in animals, however.

There are numerous drug interactions with echinacea that pose major and moderate risks. There is preliminary evidence that E. purpurea contains chemicals that deactivate CYP3A4, a liver enzyme that breaks down a wide range of medications. These medications could theoretically increase in the blood, causing an overdose state. The medications processed by this enzyme include anabolic steroids and corticosteroids; the chemotherapy drug methotrexate (Rheumatrex, Trexall), used in the treatment of cancer and lupus; astemizole (Hismanal), an antihistamine prescribed for allergies; nifedipine (Adalat, Procardia) and captopril (Capoten), used for high blood pressure; sildenafil (Viagra), prescribed for erectile dysfunction (ED); and many others. In general, E. purpurea seems to interact with the same medications that interact with grapefruit juice or quercetin. (See QUERCETIN.) While this possible effect of echinacea might help maintain levels of these drugs in the bloodstream and make them more effective, it might also cause them to accumulate to levels at which they produce side effects. If the expected side effects of any of these medications occur while taking echinacea, discontinue the herb.

Echinacea should be used with caution by people who are allergic to ragweed or to plants in the sunflower family. Claims that a combination of echinacea and goldenseal boosts the immune system have been borne out by laboratory experiments with animals that show that the two herbs augment different, but complementary, immune globulins. Before taking an echinacea-and-goldenseal combination, be sure to observe the precautions listed for goldenseal. (See GOLDENSEAL.)

Echinacea should be avoided immediately before, during, and after organ transplantation if a drug such as cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune) or tacrolimus (Prograf) is prescribed to prevent rejection of the transplanted organ. Taking basiliximab (Simulect), an immunosuppressant, daclizumab (Zenapax), azathioprine (Imuran), and other drugs to prevent organ rejection with echinacea is not advised because the effectiveness of the drug will be reduced.

Botanical Name: Echinacea purpurea
Also, known as: Purple Coneflower, Black Sampson, Niggerhead, Rudbeckia, Cock Up Hat, Comb Flower, Indian comb, Indian Head, Kansas Snakeroot, Kansas Coneflower, Red Sunflower, Scurvy root, Snakeroot
Habitat: USA and Canada
Origin: Germany
Harvested: Cultivated

General Information:
The Echinacea is a group of plant species that belongs to the same family as dandelion, sunflower, and daisy. These flowering shrubs are best known as ornamental plants in gardens. Also, they widely recognized as medicinal herbs in alternative medicine. One of the most popular herbs in the United States marketplace is the native American medicinal plant Echinacea
The term refers to several plants in the genus Echinacea, derived from the above ground parts and roots of Echinacea angustifolia (Narrow-leafed Purple Coneflower), Echinacea pallida (Pale Purple Coneflower), and Echinacea purpurea (Purple Coneflower).
Echinacea Angustifolia is an herbaceous perennial plant grows up to a height of twelve to twenty-eight inches. Linear lanceolate leaves are thick, rough, hairy, broadly landscaped, 2 to 8-inch-long, narrowed at the end and strongly three nerved, its flowers are like cone shaped disks that are pink and purple in color. The plant usually has one or more stems. The taproot that produces seeds is harvested three to four times a year 2 to 4 feet tall, with single, stout, bristly, hairy stems. The stems and leaves are moderately to densely hairy. The plant produces flower heads one per side: branch, each at the end of a long peduncle. Each head contains 8-21 pink or purple ray florets plus 200-300 purple disc florets
Almost all its parts are of medicinal value. But most importantly, it is the root of the Echinacea Angustifolia that has most of the beneficial medicinal properties. It can be easily found in the Rocky Mountains of North America and the midwestern states.
The various Echinacea species contain numerous chemical constituents. There is still no consensus on exactly which of these is the most active immunomodulator Some experts believe that the Echinacea augustifolia is the and others say Echinacea purpurea is the best. Echinacea pallida seems to be caught somewhere in the middle.

 

How to use:
We make these suggestions to help you get the best benefit from the herbs that you’re choosing to improve your health. Also we make these ideas and recommendations so that consuming them easier and better fit into your lifestyle by adding them to the food that you already eat.
For the full health benefit, it is best to consume (or use the whole herb in poultices) the whole herb. All of the compounds in the herb act best together, as nature intends. Extracts draw out the most prominent beneficial compounds and may concentrate them. What is not extracted can be helpful in ways that we do not yet understand.

Cut Pieces or Powdered Herb:
There are different ways to use cut pieces or powdered herb.
Food Preparation: You can add powdered or pieces of herb (if the pieces you buy are bigger than you like, a coffee or herb grinder will quickly reduce) to any yogurt, smoothie, apple or other sauces, spreads, salads or other foods more familiar to you that don’t use heat. Heat can be damaging to the beneficial compounds in the herb. Other options like oatmeal, scrambled eggs, pasta sauce, soup, cookies and anything else that fits your lifestyle, but minimizing (by adding near the end of cooking) the heat is helpful.
Also, for children, you can mix powdered herb with honey or glycerin to make paste. The thicker the paste, the more potent and herbal in taste. The sweet taste of honey and glycerin will help medicine go down. The resulting liquid is called an electuary.
For seeds in general, but especially small seeds, it’s best to grind these to break the protective hulls a short time before consumption. This makes all the benefits available, rather than some remaining locked inside the hulls that are unbroken by insufficient chewing.
To make adding herbs even easier, you could add a week’s worth of your chosen herb(s) to an amount of, for example, yogurt that you would eat in a week. Mix thoroughly and eat this each day of the week. SO you make once /week and just eat each other day.
Hot Infusion: The basic method for dried herbs and flower is, take 2-3 tablespoons of dried herb in a cup or teapot. Pour hot water over it and cover it with lid for 10-30 minutes. The heat from making tea can degrade some of the beneficial compounds in the herb. This method minimizes this effect. For the full health benefit, it is recommended to consume what is left over after making tea.
Decoctions: Decoctions are suitable for roots, barks, large seeds & berries, and other dense material. The simple way to make decoction is, in a saucepan, add 1 tablespoon of dried herbs to 1 cup of water, Bring the water to boil, reduce heat and simmer for 30-60 minutes with the pot covered. Squeeze out as much as liquid as possible. Best practice is to drink the liquid and also consume the solid material that remains. Herb pieces can also be used.
Powdered Herb:
There are different ways to use powdered herb.
Capsules: HerbsCrafters makes capsules guaranteed to be filled with the pure herb with no filler or any other products. You can also use powdered herb to make your own capsules at home. These capsules are best taken with liquid to aid in digestion and absorption and to ensure it doesn’t stick in your throat.
Poultice: Poultice can be made with an herbal powder and liquid (mostly water) to form a paste which is then applied to the skin. This method is very helpful for skin conditions.
Herbal shot: Powdered herb can be mixed with water, fruit juice or other liquid to make herbal shot.

Tips:
You can sweeten your herbal decoctions with bit of honey, natural fruit juice, stevia leaves powder or licorice root powder.

Precautions:
You should consult with a qualified healthcare practitioner before using any herbal products, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, or on any medications.
All information on this website is for educational purpose ONLY.
This information has not been evaluated by Health Canada.
This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

How Much To Use
It is common that 10g of a fresh herb = 1g when dehydrated.
Recommended daily amount: 2-4 tsp of echinacea leaves, which can be added to food or to make tea.