Tuesday, August 13, 2013

E is for ECHINACEA

     
      Welcome to lucky Round 13 of ABC Wednesday, the brainchild of the elegant and exquisite Denise who has appointed the earnest and educated Roger as her administrator. Thanks also to their eager and edifying team of assistants who visit everyone each week to give eternal and edifying praise to all the contributors. And now, on with my show:
     
     Echinacea is a very popular herb, especially for the treatment of flu and colds. It is a genus of herbaceous flowering plants in the daisy family - Asteraceae. It is also known as the American coneflower.  It was commonly used by Native Americans for hundreds of years before the arrival of European explorers, settlers and colonizers. It is common to eastern and central North America and thrives in moist to dry prairies and open woodlands.  By the early 1800s echinacea became a popular herbal remedy among those who had settled in the USA, and soon became commonly used in Europe as well. It became much more popular after research was carried out on it in Germany in the 1920s. (paraphrased from http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/252684.php)

     I have tried using echinacea when I get the first sign of a cold and I think it might help to relieve some of the symptoms.  However, I must admit I'm very cautious about combining herbal meds with the meds that my doctor has prescribed for me.  There can be dangerous side effects.  I also used another herbal remedy when I started going through menopause and was overpowered by hot flashes.  For example, when my friend and I ended up in Nice (France) one hot summer day, we had to stay in the hotel until about 6 pm because we were both overwhelmed by the heat.  When I returned home, the doctor put me on hormone replacement therapy but all it did was make me feel pregnant!  So I started on Evening Primrose, gradually increasing the dose until I took 3 tablets 3 times a day.  What a relief!!!

     The point is that some herbs can be very beneficial, but you must be careful with them and use them under a doctor's guidance.  When I discovered some echinacea flowers blooming in other people's gardens, I decided to get some for myself and now I love watching them develop.  There are so many different varieties and colours.  Some of my potted ones will be at my daughter's wedding next weekend - at her request!

     Echinacea may be helpful in some illnesses or diseases, but it certainly won't do anything for my dear Lorne right now.  He enters Vancouver General Hospital tomorrow, August 14th, for his liver operation.  Spots were found, some chemo has been administered, and now he gets about 2/3 of his liver removed.  (It does regenerate within 4-6 weeks, though.)  So rather than send him echinacea, please remember him in your thoughts and/or prayers.   Thanks and I hope you enjoy this very short slideshow of the echinacea in my garden.    
Click to play this Smilebox slideshow


24 comments:

  1. I've never used this as a treatment, but I'm not opposed to it; better than too many drugs!

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  2. Some people swear by Echinacea and feel it is the perfect alternative to when they are starting to feel sick with the flu. I believe that there might be some truth to it. I would take it myself but it doesn't work well with my Epilepsy meds. nor for my husband's with his heart meds. Who would think a flower could be so potent, hey? Hugs♥

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  3. i've never used much herbal remedies. maybe i should try.

    Ewok's ABC WEDNESDAY

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  4. Your Dear Lorne will be in my prayers.
    Of course you will be too...lots of stressful times with a wedding and a loved one in the hospital.
    If I was there I would give you lots of hugs.
    (((HUGS)))
    Sue

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  5. ENORMOUSLY ENJOYED your slide show. You must have an EXCELLENT green thumb as well as EXTRAORDINARY camera skills. Kate, ABC Team

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  6. I take Echinacea in the autumn and winter months to keep away the colds I'm sure it does help. I gave Jack evening primrose oil when he was a child for his eczema it really did work wonders I would recommend it to anyone. Hope you and Lorne are well. Love Jill xx

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  7. I've used echinacea as a treatment and I grow it but I've never tried to harvest it. I have bought it as a supplement and also in teas.

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  8. Love your Echinacea smilebox, Leslie - I used to have them growing outside my laundry room window.

    Prayers and healing thoughts for Lorne, and hope and strength for yourself.

    Hope the wedding is lovely, - well, of course, all weddings are.

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  9. Hi Leslie! Echinacea is a very popular herb here as well. We use it in tablets. I didn't know that the flowers were so colourful! The video is very beautiful.
    Thanks for your comment. Yes I am very lucky to have a friend like Elizabeth.
    Wil, ABCW Team.

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  10. How well you do these. It is like a study material. I mean, to write out a post based on a alphabet is amazing creativity!

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  11. I'm so sorry something like echinacea won't help Lorne. It must be so stressful for you.
    I had no idea echinacea flowers would be so lovely. I'm sure your daughter's wedding will be all the better for them!
    K

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  12. My husband is inclined to use herbal medicines, but I have so many allergies and am sensitive to so many medications, I don't take anything my doctor doesn't prescribe.

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  13. I think the main use of echinacea is to strengthen the defenses against colds.

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  14. I have had this from my homeopath!! Does wonders!! I really hadn't seen the plant!! Thanks for the share!!Better than drugs...I support that!!

    "My Post Is Here"

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  15. A wedding sounds lovely after wondering all the way how to pronounce 'echinacea' :) Lovely post.

    Hazel

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  16. Never heard about echinacea ! I am not reacting at all to herbs I need strong medication. Even the doctor has noticed that, lol !

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  17. There are so many plants that can be used for medicine, our Indian ancestors really did discover many uses. I have never tried this one though. I'll keep your sweetie in my prayers.
    Ann

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  18. They will look gorgeous at the wedding. I must try some in pots myself (they would hate our clay soil). Poor Lorne, such a worrying time, my thoughts are with you both.

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  19. Never knew that this plant had such beautiful flowers! Thanks for sharing:)
    Wishing your daughter a great wedding!

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  20. Love to you Leslie and prayers for Lorne, what a blessing he has you..
    All the best for your daughter's wedding, hope the sun shines for her and continues through all their marriage.
    Love Chris xxxxx

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  21. Isn't it amazing that the liver can regenerate as much as that? Hope he'll soon be up and running.

    I took evening primrose a few years ago and my eyes went funny - and the optician said she'd had other similar cases. So I'm careful now too.

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  22. I have heard a lot about echinesia, but have never seen them.Herbal medicine sometimes has undesirable results, but usually it is effective.

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  23. I use echinacea like you, when I feel a cold coming on. But I do have a healthy respect for herbal remedies, and much prefer them to other options.

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  24. I've tried it once but found it made no difference at all for me, but some of my friends adore it!

    Suzy at Someday Somewhere

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