1. Echinacea

1st we will see what is this Echinacea ,

It's a flowering plant that grows in the U.S. and Canada, and it's been used as medicine for centuries.

Let’s discuss about this flowering plant,

Echinacea is a genus of herbaceous flowering plants in the daisy family. It has ten species, which are commonly called coneflowers. They are found only in eastern and central North America, where they grow in moist to dry prairies and open wooded areas. Let’s talk about the blooming time of this plant, blooming time is The main blooming period for coneflowers is between June and October. Deep green foliage illuminates the growing flower stalks from below; the blossoms typically stretch higher than the surrounding leaf stalks for a brilliant show. Depending on the cultivar, coneflowers spread their petals between 4 and 8 inches wide.

Echinacea, or coneflower, is a flowering plant and popular herbal remedy.
Originally from North America, it has long been used in Native American practices to treat a variety of ailments, including wounds, burns, toothaches, sore throat, and stomach upset ,
Most parts of the plant, including the leaves, petals, and roots, can be used medicinally — though many people believe the roots have the strongest effect.
Echinacea is usually taken as a tea or supplement but can also be applied topically.
Today, it’s primarily used to treat or prevent the common cold, though the science behind this isn’t particularly strong.
One review in over 4,000 people found a potential 10–20% reduced risk of colds from taking echinacea, but there’s little to no evidence that it treats the cold after you have caught it
Though insufficient data exists to evaluate the long-term effects of this herb, short-term use is generally considered safe. That said, side effects like nausea, stomach pain, and skin rash have occasionally been reported
You can find echinacea in most supermarkets and health food stores.

What are the benefits of Echinacea?

Today, people use echinacea to shorten the duration of the common cold and flu, and reduce symptoms, such as sore throat (pharyngitis), cough, and fever. Many herbalists also recommend echinacea to help boost the immune system and help the body fight infections.

Is it OK to take echinacea every day?

Taking more than the recommended amount can be dangerous. Most brands say you should avoid taking echinacea on an empty stomach. They recommend taking it with food or a large glass of water. Don't take echinacea for more than a few weeks.

Why is Echinacea bad for you?

Some side effects have been reported such as fever, nausea, vomiting, bad taste, stomach pain, diarrhea, sore throat, dry mouth, and headache. In rare cases, echinacea has been reported to cause serious allergic reactions and liver damage. When applied to the skin: Echinacea is POSSIBLY SAFE short-term.

Is echinacea good for your immune system?

Echinacea is best known for its beneficial effects on the immune system. Numerous studies have found that this plant may help your immune system combat infections and viruses, which could help you recover faster from illness

Does Echinacea actually work?

Recent research suggests that some echinacea supplements may shorten the duration of a cold by about half a day and may slightly reduce symptom severity. But these results were too minor to be deemed significant. In the past, some studies have found echinacea to be helpful while other studies have found no benefit.

Is echinacea good for flu?

Not only that, but it could also help treat symptoms of the flu. In one study in 473 people with the flu, drinking an echinacea-based beverage was as effective as an antiviral medication at treating symptoms.

Does Echinacea need full sun?

Light: Echinacea thrives in full to partial sun. Plants need at least four hours of sunlight per day. The plants grow natively along the edges of woodlands, so they will thrive in spots with morning shade and afternoon sun or vice versa.

What does Echinacea do for colds?

Extracts of echinacea do seem to have an effect on the immune system, your body's defense against germs. Research shows it increases the number of white blood cells, which fight infections. A review of more than a dozen studies, published in 2014, found the herbal remedy had a very slight benefit in preventing colds