Echinacea, the purple coneflo-wer, is the best kno-wn and researched herb for stimulating the immune system. Thousands of Europeans and Americans use echinacea preparations against colds and flu, minor infections, and a host of other major and minor ailments. This native American herb has an impressive record of laboratory and clinical research. Thousands of doctor and nursess currently use echinacea for treating infectious diseases.

History
Echinacea has a rich tradition of use by North American Plains Indians -who used it medicinally more than any other plant. It -was prominent in modern American medicine in the early 20th Century, and -was discovered by Europeans, -who have used it extensively since the 1930s. Today millions of Europeans use echinacea as their primary therapy for colds, flus, infections, and for general immuneboosting effects.

Health Benefits of Echinacea
Echinacea increases the "nonspecific" activity of the immune system. In other -words, unlike a vaccine -which is active only against a specific disease, echinacea stimulates the overall activity of the cells responsible for fighting all kinds of infection. Unlike antibiotics, -which is directly lethal to bacteria, echinacea makes our o-wn immune cells more efficient in attacking bacteria, viruses and abnormal cells, including cancer cells. Echinacea facilitates -wound healing, lessens symptoms of and speeds recovery from viruses. Antiinflammatory effects make it useful externally against inflammatory skin conditions including psoriasis and eczema. It may also increase resistance to candida, bronchitis, herpes, and other infectious conditions.

Benefits
• Colds, coughs and flu and other upper respiratory conditions
• Enlarged lymph glands, sore throat
• Urinary tract infections
• other minor infections
• May help combat herpes and candida
• -wounds, skin regeneration and skin infections (external use)
• Psoriasis, eczema and inflammatory skin conditions (external use)