The mother tincture of Echinacea is extracted from the echinacea plant, rich in flavonoids and essential oils. Useful to stimulate the immune system, it is also used in case of stress, colds and coughs. Let’s find out more.
Properties of the mother tincture of echinacea
Echinacea angustifolia andEchinacea purpurea contain polysaccharides, flavonoids,caffeic acid derivatives (echinacoside),essential oils (0.2-0.6%), which give these plants immunostimulating, antiviral and healing properties for tissues.
In particular, echinacoside has an antibiotic and bacteriostatic action, able to inhibit the replication of bacteria that are difficult to control; while echinace in possesses corticosimal anti-inflammatory properties. Finally, the presence of chicoric acid and caffeic acid have an antiviral action, such as to hinder the penetration of the virus into healthy cells.
The mother tincture of echinacea is used to stimulate and strengthen the immune system, in the production of antibodies. P For this reason it is used in phytotherapy to promote the body’s natural defenses against infectious attacks by bacteria and viruses.
The hydroalcoholic extract of the plant in internal use prevents, especially in periods when our body is subject to greater stress, flu states, and treats the symptoms of cooling diseases such as fever, infections of the respiratory system (cold, cough)and urinary system(cystitis,prostatitis), the infectious mononucleosis.
The mother tincture of echinacea is also used in external use for the preparation of ointments and lotions for the skin, with immunostimulating, protective, anti-inflammatory action, in case of scars, canker sores, ulcers, dermatitis in general. The healing property is based on the ability of the plant to accelerate tissue regeneration and localize the infection.
Description of the plant
Both echinaceae are native to the southeastern United States. Perennial herbaceous plants 8-10 dm high. with cylindrical rhizome and slightly reddish stems. The leaves are basal and long petiolate, lanceolate crossed by 3-5 ribs with rigid hairs. The echinacea angustifolia, owesits name to the narrow leaves, while the purple has leaves with a wider page. The inflorescences are formed in the center by tubular flowers and on the periphery by ligulate purple flowers folded downwards in the angustifolia; more horizontal in purple. The fruits are achenes.
How to prepare the mother tincture of echinacea
The “drug” (used part) ofEchinacea Angustifolia corresponds to the root; harvested in winter; while for the Purpurea to the aerial part harvested late spring. The fresh plant is used, as it is dry and loses most of its properties. The mother tincture of echinacea is prepared with a drug weight ratio: solvent of 1:10 and alcohol content of 55% vol.
Utilization
Mother tinctures have no contraindications except those of the plant itself, diluted in a little water can be given to everyone, the alcohol contained in them is thus diluted, so it is harmless. In the prolonged and continuous use of the mother tincture of echinacea carry out cycles of eight weeks, interrupted by a week off.
Internal use: 30-40 drops in a little water three times a day between meals, to prevent flu syndromes and seasonal ills. To treat flu and infections: 30-40 drops, 2 times a day
External use: a 10% ointment of mother tincture of echinacea is recommended, in all skin diseases. You can gargle against sore throat and inflammation of the oropharyngeal cavity by diluting 10 drops in a little water.
