The Benefits of Echinacea

The Echinacea plant is jam-packed with antioxidants, including rosmarinic acid, cichoric acid, and flavonoids. Antioxidants help protect the body from natural byproducts of metabolism called free radicals. These compounds prevent the body’s cells from damage, which, in turn, prevents various chronic and life-threatening diseases.

Yet, when it comes to Echinacea benefits, there’s more! Below, we review further benefits of this mighty plant.

1. Improves Immunity

This plant is well-known for its immune-boosting effects. One study even showed how Echinacea lowered the risk of getting a cold by 50% and even shortened the amount of time the illness lasted. Thus, if someone in your household is sick or you’ve recently felt under the weather, taking Echinacea (along with taking care of yourself and getting plenty of rest) might be just what you need.

2. Regulates Blood Sugar Levels

With obesity on the rise, more and more individuals are getting diagnosed with diabetes. Blood sugar dysregulation can cause serious health issues. However, research shows Echinacea might actually inhibit certain enzymes involved in carbohydrate digestion, leading to less sugar entering the blood.

Other studies further showed how Echinacea extracts made the body’s cells more sensitive to insulin, which helps remove sugar from the blood. All of this may contribute to better blood sugar levels and even more manageable energy levels.

3. Reduces Inflammation

Echinacea is long-thought to help reduce inflammation, especially when excessive inflammation is present. In fact, it’s even helped individuals with osteoarthritis experience reduced pain, swelling, and inflammation.

4. Improves the Appearance of the Skin

Due to its anti-inflammatory properties, Echinacea may help reduce inflammation in the skin, reducing signs of aging. One study demonstrated how individuals who used Echinacea had reduced wrinkles and improved skin hydration. Other research also noted that Echinacea may have the capacity to improve eczema symptoms, as well as improve and repair the skin’s outer layer.

5. Helps Promote Feelings of Calm and Relaxation

Feeling anxious? Stressed? Echinacea might help! Research shows how this plant may reduce anxious feelings and promote feelings of calm. Yet, more research is needed to further solidify these claims.

Should You Supplement With Echinacea?

If you’re looking for an immune boost, Echinacea fits the bill. Many individuals use this plant to combat and prevent the cold and flu, ensuring they stay healthy all year round. In fact, Echinacea can help lower inflammation, which may contribute to various chronic diseases that impact your quality of life.

While supplementing with Echinacea can help, such as using Life Nutrition’s Rapid Defence C with Echinacea, it’s always important to ensure you do the basics. This means getting plenty of sleep, eating a healthy and balanced diet, reducing stress in your life, getting regular exercise, and, generally, taking good care of yourself and your body! From there, you can use Echinacea to give your health and body a boost (and a helping hand throughout the cold and flu season).