| Echinacea, also known as Purple Coneflower, has been used for centuries by Native American tribes as an herbal remedy and is an integral part of American Indian herbal lore. There are three common species; echinacea purpurea, e. angustifolia, and e. pallida that grow wild on American prairie lands as far south as Texas. Echinacea supports the immune system through a variety of mechanisms that aid phagocytosis (cellular ingestion and digestion of solid substances, such as bacteria) and T-cell production. Echinacea extracts contain a number of compounds known to have immune enhancing effects. Caffeic acid derivatives (echinacosides), polysaccharides, polyacetylenes, alkylamides, and flavonoids are among Echinacea constituents with known immune system support benefits.* |
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