Here at Balance for Life, a holistic health retreat in Florida, we are thinking of you and we look forward to welcoming you to one of our wellness retreats when it is safe to do so. We hope you are all staying safe, following the social distancing guidelines and frequently washing your hands for at least 20 seconds. There are other things you can do to give your immune system a boost, including taking supplements like echinacea.
Echinacea is a homegrown plant. While it now grown all over the world, it is native to North America – specifically, it seems, to the lands east of the Rocky Mountains. Native Americans were using the plant for medicinal purposes as far back as the 17th century. The Great Plains Indians used it to treat a variety of ailments. When swallowed, they believed it helped with pain, coughs, stomach cramps and snake bites. It was also used on the skin to help heal from wounds and burns.
Health Benefits of Echinacea in the Modern Era
“At the beginning of the 20th century, Echinacea was the most frequently used plant preparation in the USA,” K Hostettmann says in a paper posted by the U.S. National Library of Medicine, which is part of the National Institutes of Health.
“The extracts exhibit immunostimulant properties and are mainly used in the prophylaxis and therapy of colds, flu and septic complaints,” the paper reports. Although there are over 400 publications concerning the plant and dozens of preparations of Echinacea in the market, the true identity of the active principles still remains open.”
Today, as the experts at WebMD tell us, “Echinacea is most commonly used for the common cold and other infections.”
You can find a wide range of products containing echinacea, ranging from herbal teas to supplements. But not all products that contain echinacea are created equal. “There are concerns about the quality of some echinacea products on the market,” WebMD says. “Echinacea products are frequently mislabeled, and some may not even contain echinacea, despite label claims. Don’t be fooled by the term ‘standardized.’ It doesn’t necessarily indicate accurate labeling.”
The medical experts behind our holistic health retreats in Florida have provided more information to help you heal and stay strong and healthy during this difficult time. We can’t wait to welcome you to a beachfront wellness retreat in Florida in the better times ahead.
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