Natural supplements and vitamins promote good health along with providing well over all health. Some examples of immune support that is found in vitamins essential to the human body are vitamin A, which promotes good bone function and good vision just to name a few advantages. Then there is Vitamin B-12 which is a natural energy source, it can be found in energy pills and physicians have administered B-12 shots to their patients as a way to prevent anemia. As far as Antioxidants which help promote are
immunes system boosters there are vitamins that promote this as well, there are also
natural herbal supplements such as Echinacea.
Where Echinacea Originates The Echinacea herb actually derives from a type of herbaceous plant that seems to grow even in drought conditions. The plant grows primarily in a region of North America and there are actually nine different species of the Echinacea plant, these species are:
- Echinacea Angustifolia
- Echinacea Atrorubens
- Echinacea Laevigata
- Echinacea Pallida
- Echinacea Paradoxa
- Echinacea Purpurea
- Echinacea Sanguinea
- Echinacea Serotina
- Echinacea Simulata
- Echinacea Tennesseensis
Each of these Echinacea plants have their own distinct characteristics and over time parts of the Echinacea plant have been determined to be an effective natural supplement.
Uses of Echinacea
The Echinacea supplement has been used widely as an antioxidant. The claim that it promotes good health and can help keep individuals from catching viruses such as the common cold. However, important to keep in mind that not all Echinacea supplements found on the market are the same. These are each created differently, using various species of the plants in a compound. There are also supplements that will contain other types of vitamins and natural supplements. For example, vitamin C which is also a known antioxidant has been used in some of these products.
Side Effects of the Echinacea Herb
Although some studies have been done on whether there are any adverse effects when taking Echinacea very few side effects have been reported. In very few cases some individuals reported some stomach upset such as nausea. There were also a few rare reports of itchy skin. But again these were few and very rare in those taking part.
Is Echinacea Backed by the FDA
The FDA has never backed any claims that Echinacea actually is an effective antioxidant. So, there is no clinical proof conducted by the actual Food and Drug Administration in the United States that the Echinacea herb does prevent the common cold or any other type of virus.
