Why Does Echinacea Have Contradictory Scientific Evidence?
Echinacea is a perennial plant that is very commonly grown in some parts of North America and Europe. These are plants hailing from or directly related to the sunflower, daisy, and ragweed family. Echinacea is one of the most popular traditional global medicines, that is, an ingredient in herbal preparations and in some products commercially. This is because of the plant's ability to fight common colds, flu, and other bacteria or infections, which are its health benefits as per traditional uses in medicine. Many Americans use Echinacea routinely in their culinary preparations or consume it as tea as it is thought to certainly boost bodily immunity. Other reported health benefits of Echinacea tea include the alleviation of pain, prevention of chronic diseases and cancers, improvement in an individual's neurocognitive and mental health, and even relief from skin acne, skin rashes, or other skin issues. According to the current scientific evidence gathered on the Echinacea plant, many researchers disagree with the health benefits that have been listed above or even contradict the health claims for its reported use in traditional medicine. Because of a lack of thorough scientific evidence for this plant, many scientific researchers as well as nutrition experts usually express concern regarding the long-term use of Echinacea even in the tea form.
Which Parts of Echinacea Plant Are Used for Tea Preparation?
The common herbs used for tea preparation are from the plants of Echinacea purpurea, Echinacea angustifolia or the Echinacea pallida. Echinacea tea is the herbal preparation or drink that most commonly is usually derived from the Echinacea purpurea plant. This tea varies from other traditional teas such as black tea, oolong tea, white tea, or green tea for instance, in the sense that all these are manufactured using the leaves that are derived from the Camellia sinensis plant only. However, Echinacea tea is only from the leaves of the Echinacea plants; they are usually characterized in nature by their startlingly purple, cone-shaped flowers. These purple-colored flowers of the plant are often dried or cut afresh to make tea as well. Commercially, however, the Echinacea plant roots and leaves are the ones most commonly used for preparing tea bags.
What Is the Method of Preparation of Echinacea Tea?
Place the flowers, leaves, or roots of an Echinacea plant within a teacup and ensure that these parts are thoroughly washed and completely free of dirt or soil contamination. Bring the water to a boil and then let the plant parts boil for a minute. After this, one can reduce the temperature slightly. Then pour eight ounces of water over the mix and allow the tea to steep for around 15 to 20 minutes or even longer based on one’s flavor preference. One can then strain the mix and remove the flowers, roots, or leaves. One can add a dash of honey, ginger, or other enhancements one desires for flavor. This tea can indeed be experimented with in different flavors in versatile ways.
Can Echinacea Tea Be a Caffeine Free Herbal Tea Option?
There is absolutely no caffeine content in echinacea tea. Individuals who are more on the caffeinated side may not get their daily boost of energy as such from Echinacea tea. However, it is important from a nutritional perspective to note that Individuals who opt for more or excess caffeine (more than 0.0141 ounces in a day) through their beverages are also more likely to experience its side effects commonly be it of insomnia, restlessness, headaches, gastrointestinal symptoms or caffeine dependency. Hence, individuals who are used to lower doses of caffeinated drinks can make the switch to healthier herbal teas or beverages that are caffeine-free (like Echinacea tea) over a while, till they get adjusted.
What Are the Possible Benefits of Echinacea Tea?
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Echinacea is widely known to be an immune booster according to the preliminary research study conducted in 2014, by the Cochrane Database Systematic Reviews. The analysis of nearly 24 double-blind trials of echinacea with a total of 4,631 participants however found a piece of rather weak scientific evidence to support the herb's efficacy in fighting general flu, cough, and cold in the control group. According to the information given by the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, the Echinacea herb may certainly help prevent colds, however, its efficacy may be low and vary from individual to individual. Also, its efficacy in reducing colds can be questionable further because the duration of the cold also matters based on the extent of the infection or flu acquired by the individual.
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According to a 2015 meta-analysis of six different research studies, the reports suggest good evidence that echinacea can reduce the risk of respiratory tract infections or even prevent them from recurring again. Regular consumption of Echinacea or Echinacea tea could reduce the respiratory complications associated with upper respiratory tract infections as per these studies.
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A medical research study conducted in 2019 involved the participants consuming at least 0.00141 ounces of Echinacea twice a day compared to the placebo group. After seven days, the results showed Individuals in the Echinacea group had lowered anxiety scores by 11 points, whereas the placebo group had only three points lesser in anxiety scores. Possibly this study holds promising future potential of Echinacea to prevent anxiety in Individuals.
What Are the Adverse Effects and Interactions of Echinacea Tea?
According to the safety information issued by the National Institute of Health, Echinacea is safe for most individuals though individuals with allergies to ragweed, Daisy, or marigold family or those individuals with sensitivity can experience side effects like stomach pain, nausea, headache, dizziness and many more. In rare medical reports of cases, severe allergic reactions have been known to occur. If one or one’s loved ones suspect an allergic reaction after consumption of Echinacea product, herb, or tea, immediately report the condition to the health care provider or allergist for evaluation and testing. Individuals taking certain systemic medications like immunosuppressant medications, Tamoxifen, have asthma, are women who are pregnant or nursing, Individuals indicated for eyelid surgery should refrain from using Echinacea in any form because of its adverse interactions in these cases.
Conclusion
Echinacea can also possibly interfere with systemic medications which is a concern expressed by many nutrition experts. It is important to let the registered healthcare professional or nutritionist know what medication or current medical condition one has, before one makes a switch to make Echinacea tea or before trying to include it in the diet. Scientific debate also exists on the side effects that can accompany regular consumption of Echinacea tea.
