Echinacea

Echinacea is a medicinal plant with a pronounced immunostimulating effect.

It is widely used in official and traditional medicine. The most popular dosage forms are tincture of Echinacea, resorption tablets and solution, which are prescribed for the therapy and prevention of many diseases, including in children. Vegetable preparations are well tolerated by patients and, according to the patients, have the proper therapeutic effect.

Echinacea is often used to prevent colds or as an anti-inflammatory drug in complex therapy. These tablets for immunity increase the resistance of the organism to pathogens of bacterial, viral and fungal diseases. They have a pronounced strengthening and protective effect on the body.

Clinical and pharmacological group

Immunostimulating preparation of plant origin.

Terms of sale from pharmacies

Can buywithout a doctor's prescription.

Price

How much does Echinacea in pharmacies cost? The average price is at the level of100 rubles.

Composition and form of release

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Echinacea is produced in different forms.

Composition 1 tablet for resorption:

active substance: extract of echinacea narrow-leaved - 200 mg;
auxiliary components: flavoring "caramel" - 74 mg, aspartame - 20 mg, magnesium stearate - 6 mg, sorbitol - 800 mg.

Composition of 1 tablet:

active substance: dry extract of echinacea - 200 mg;
auxiliary components: milk sugar (lactose monohydrate) - more than 190 mg, potato starch - 100 mg, polyvinylpyrrolidone - 5 mg, calcium stearate - 5 mg.

Composition of 100 mg of homeopathic granules:

active substance: Echinacea purpurea (Echinacea purpurea) - 1 mg;
auxiliary component: sugar grits - up to 100 mg.

Composition 1 lozenges:

active substance: dry extract of Echinacea herb - 200 mg;
auxiliary components: liquid dextrose, sucrose, caramel flavor, purified water.

Pharmacological effect

Echinacea is characterized by a complex chemical composition that provides a complex positive effect on the body. Contains immunostimulating polysaccharides (water-soluble), which are able to activate cellular immunity: stimulate granulocyte chemotaxis and increase the phagocytic activity of macrophages. Participates in the release of cytokines, which leads to the proliferation and activation of immunocompetent cells. Accelerates the transformation of B-lymphocytes into plasma cells, activates antibody formation and the activity of T-helpers.

Has anti-inflammatory effect. Normalizes metabolic processes, especially in the kidneys and liver. Course treatment leads to an increase in nonspecific immune response and improved resistance to exposure negative environmental factors, including viral, fungal and bacterial infections. Numerous studies have shown activity against herpes, influenza and other catarrhal diseases, the inhibitory effect on bacterial and tissue hyaluronidase is proved.

Nevertheless, it can not be said that echinacea is important for immunity and should be accepted by all people regardless of the state of the body's defenses. The general opinion of doctors is that interference in the natural work of immunity does not lead to anything good, and without the need to take immunostimulants is definitely not worth it! Use for prevention should also be justified - if a person rarely has colds, then the body is well protected against viruses. To raise the immunity does not necessarily take drugs, even vegetable - it is good enough and fully fed, drink enough clean water, be physically active and mentally balanced - that's more than enough!

Indications for use

Tincture and Echinacea tablets are effective in such pathological conditions as:

acute and chronic respiratory diseases;
ulcerative lesions of the gastrointestinal tract;
infection of the oral cavity;
flu;
chronic infections of the urinary tract;
low level of the immune system.

In addition, the tincture of Echinacea (the instruction confirms this) is prescribed for the treatment of trophic skin ulcers and non-healing wounds.

Contraindications

What are the limitations for Echinacea? It is necessary to stop the medication immediately if side effects appear in the form of a hypersensitivity reaction or if an allergy is observed after its application. Echinacea in tablets or in another dosage form is contraindicated in such cases:

with progressive systemic diseases: leukemia, tuberculosis, multiple sclerosis;
AIDS and HIV infection;
if a person is sick with an autoimmune disease;
until the child reaches the age of 4 years (some drugs - up to the age of 12 years).

Intended use for pregnancy and lactation

It should not be prescribed during pregnancy and lactation, as the safety of the drug in these situations has not been studied.

Dosage and route of administration

As indicated in the instructions for use Echinacea recommended after eating. Multiplicity of admission - 3 times a day.

Usually Echinacea is prescribed in a single dose of 1-2 tablets. When exacerbation is shown, taking in combination with antibacterial drugs (single dose): 5 days - 2 tablets, the next 10-20 days (depending on the severity / nature of the disease) - 1 tablet. In the phase of remission the drug is prescribed according to the standard dosage regimen with a course of 10-20 days. If necessary, repeated reception is possible.

Tablets for resorption, lozenges

Tablets for resorption / lozenges should be kept in the mouth until it is completely absorbed.

Usually Echinacea is prescribed 3-4 times a day for 1 pc. the course is not less than 7 days.

Homeopathic granules

The granules should be kept in the mouth until completely dissolved.

The drug is recommended to take with observance of intervals with food intake (for 20 minutes before or 1 hour after eating) 2 times a day for 5 granules course of 14 days.

The doctor may prescribe repeat courses.

Tea from Echinacea

Phyto-tea is useful for children and adults with influenza and colds as an auxiliary preventive and restorative means
In pharmacies, such a product can be purchased in the form of ready-made sachets for brewing or sachets for preparing a decoction

You can also make tea yourself:

Take 1 tbsp. spoon the crushed dry roots and leaves of the plant, pour 1 glass of boiling water
Let it brew for an hour, take 0.5 cups of broth with the addition of 1 hour. spoons of natural honey for half an hour before meals
The total daily dose of tea or broth for adults should not exceed 300 ml

Children from 1 to 3 years are advised to take tea or a decoction of Echinacea for 30-50 ml of Z times a day. You can add it to regular tea or compote.

Adverse Reactions

Echinacea in tablet form can provoke such undesirable reactions as:

swelling of the face;
itching;
labored breathing;
rash on the skin;
lowering of pressure;
dizziness.

Tincture of Echinacea has the following side effects:

chills;
nausea;
indigestion disorder;
vomiting;
skin allergic reactions (itching, rashes, urticaria).

Overdose Symptoms

In clinical practice, there have been no reported cases of overdose with Echinacea in tablet form.

As for the tincture, the symptoms of overdose are:

nausea;
dyspeptic disorders;
increased level of excitability;
vomiting.

In such situations, the drug is canceled, the stomach is washed and therapy is prescribed depending on the symptomatology.

special instructions

During therapy with medication Echinacea, patients are advised to refrain from managing motor transport and other devices and mechanisms that require increased concentration of attention and relate to the list of potentially hazardous activities.

Compatibility with other drugs

So far, no information on the interactions of Echinacea with other drugs / substances has been reported.

Because Echinacea has an immunostimulating effect, the combined use of glucocorticosteroids and immunosuppressants can weaken their effect, to enhance their effect can combined therapy with cytokines.

Patient Reviews

We offer you to get acquainted with the opinions of people who used Echinacea:

Sasha. In Byelorussia were on holiday in the winter and picked up some kind of infection, at the local pharmacy they bought cheap gray tablets of Echinacea. They really help. At first, the temperature even rose (although before that there were only snot and cough), then they began to sweat intensely without apparent causes and loads, as a result, on the third day, there was no trace of the dull feeling of the sick person. The course of Echinacea drank completely and that winter had no problems with any infections.
Valentine. I remember this grass from the childhood, my grandmother gave me infusions twice a year. This is enough to not be ill during the season of colds, compared with many of their peers. I still use her recipe for cooking infusion. An additional advantage is that Echinacea improves vitality and mood.
Angelica. Had often an angina and that's the complications and self-treatment did not take long to wait (((We were taken to the hospital, treated, the week was pricked with antibiotics, well, on the discharge! After three days I felt a sore throat, a cold and a strong cough, for another 10 days (((I started anew treatment, but I was advised here by Echinacea in capsules. Oh my God, how grateful I am to the drug and the adviser!!! Re-appeared forces! As described above do not abuse! Be healthy!!!