10 Echinacea Tea Benefits That Studies Have Suggested

Did you know that Native American tribes honored the benefits of echinacea tea? They used it to address a range of health issues, from coughs and colds to stomach upsets. Today, echinacea tea benefits are esteemed for the same reasons, especially when it comes to starting a cold!

In this article, we’ll explore briefly what echinacea tea is, explain how to prepare it, see its numerous benefits, guide you on the best ways to enjoy it, and discuss potential side effects and considerations.

So, put the kettle on and get ready for an enlightening read and sip time!

What is Echinacea Tea and How is it Made?

Echinacea tea is a soothing drink made from the flowers, leaves, and roots of the Echinacea plant, a type of perennial that’s native to North America. The health benefits of echinacea tea are renowned and come in three different varieties:

• Echinacea purpurea: Known as the purple coneflower, it’s famous for its striking purple petals and widely used in herbal medicine.
• Echinacea pallida: Often called the pale purple coneflower, it’s recognized by its narrow, drooping, pale pink petals.
• Echinacea angustifolia: Known as the narrow-leaved coneflower, it’s appreciated for its medicinal properties, particularly its roots.

If you’re curious to learn more about these variations, their origins, and unique features, head over to our complete guide on echinacea tea.

how to make echinacea tea

The process is super simple, here are the steps:

1. Start by measuring out about 1 to 2 teaspoons of echinacea loose leaf tea (or prepare 1 echinacea tea bag).
2. Next, boil water to about 200-212 degrees Fahrenheit (93-100 degrees Celsius).
3. Once the water has reached the right temperature, pour it over the echinacea loose leaves or tea bag.
4. Allow the tea to steep for around 15 to 20 minutes (or 5 to 10 minutes if it’s a tea bag). The longer the steeping time, the stronger the flavor and potential echinacea tea benefits!
5. After steeping, remove the infuser or strain the tea to separate the leaves from the liquid.

Oh and does echinacea tea have caffeine? No, echinacea tea does not contain caffeine!

List of Echinacea Tea Benefits

Next, let’s move on to the impressive echinacea tea benefits that make this herbal brew a favorite for many.

1. Reduced Inflammation

Inflammation is your body’s natural response to injury or illness. However, when it becomes chronic, it can cause health issues. Luckily, echinacea tea, brimming with antioxidants such as flavonoids, cichoric acid, and rosmarinic acid, is known to mitigate inflammation (Labban et al., 2020).

2. Improved Immunity

A robust immune system is your body’s primary defense against disease. Echinacea tea, celebrated for its immune-boosting qualities, aids in stimulating the production of antibodies, thereby enhancing humoral immunity and strengthening your body’s resistance against infections (Sharifi-Rad et al., 2018; Najafzadeh et al., 2011).

3. Lower Blood Sugar Levels

Having balanced blood sugar levels is crucial for overall health, and echinacea tea may play a role here. Some animal studies suggest echinacea tea could have antihyperglycemic effects, hinting at a potential for managing blood sugar levels (Özyurt, 2020). However, this potential benefit needs more exploration in human studies.

4. Antioxidant Activity

Antioxidants are vital for health as they combat oxidative damage caused by free radicals, unstable molecules that can harm cellular structures. Echinacea tea is loaded with antioxidants like flavonoids and phenolic acids, providing a delicious way to boost your antioxidant intake and thereby protect your body (Sharifi-Rad et al., 2018).

5. Wound Healing

Echinacea tea has a long-standing reputation for promoting wound healing. This property is largely attributed to echinacoside, a compound found in echinacea, recognized for its anti-inflammatory and wound-healing effects (Pazyar et al., 2014). Whether you’re dealing with minor skin issues or more significant wounds, echinacea tea might help speed up the healing process.

6. Respiratory Symptom Relief

If you’re battling with a cold or flu, reaching for echinacea tea might be beneficial. It has traditionally been used to soothe respiratory symptoms such as coughs, sore throats, and congestion, offering natural and comforting relief (Liu et al., 2007).

7. Pain Relief

Struggling with pain? Echinacea tea might offer some relief. A study involving female patients with osteoarthritis found that echinacea extracts led to pain alleviation, suggesting that this herbal tea could potentially serve as a natural pain management tool (Labban et al., 2020).

8. Antimicrobial Activity

In a time when antibiotic resistance is a real concern, finding natural alternatives to combat microbes is a worthwhile pursuit. Traditional usage and modern research both recognize echinacea tea for its antimicrobial activity against a variety of pathogens (Sharifi-Rad et al., 2018).

9. Anticancer Effects

Promising research suggests that echinacea tea might have anticancer properties. The alkamides in echinacea have been shown to inhibit the growth of cancer cells, implying that this simple tea might have a profound effect on health (Cichello et al., 2016).

10. Safety and Tolerability

While exploring the various echinacea tea benefits, it’s reassuring to know that it’s generally safe and well-tolerated. Clinical trials report few adverse events associated with echinacea supplementation, making it a good choice for most people (Aucoin et al., 2020).

Yes, echinacea tea health benefits are pretty amazing! However, it is important to note that further research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms and effectiveness of echinacea tea in providing these health benefits. If you’re as intrigued as we are by the health-giving properties of different teas, make sure to check out our comprehensive article about 50 Amazing Health Benefits of Drinking Tea!

What’s the Best Way to Take Echinacea Tea?

You can savor your echinacea tea hot or cold, depending on your preference. Some enjoy it with a meal, while others find it perfect for a relaxed afternoon break. From basic brews to incorporating echinacea loose-leaf tea into your favorite herbal recipes, there are countless ways to enjoy this tea! We personally love the echinacea tea blends from Art of Tea!

Potential Side Effects and Considerations of Echinacea Tea

While echinacea tea is generally safe and well-tolerated, it’s always prudent to be aware of potential side effects. Some people may experience allergic reactions or stomach discomfort. Also, those with certain medical conditions or on medication should consult their healthcare provider before starting any new supplement, including echinacea tea.

Quality is crucial when it comes to reaping the echinacea tea benefits. Choose trusted brands that ensure their products are pure, organic, and free of contaminants.

Conclusion

Echinacea tea benefits offer an assortment of health advantages – from reducing inflammation to managing pain, and much more!

So why not give echinacea tea a try and discover these benefits for yourself? And after you’ve had your first cup, we’d love to hear about your experience!

Also, make sure to check out our review post about the best echinacea tea for a well-informed purchase. It’s a delightful blend of reading, sippin’, and healthy living!

References

• Aucoin, M., Cooley, K., Saunders, P., Carè, J., Anheyer, D., Medina, D., … & Garber, A. (2020). The Effect Of Echinacea Spp. On the Prevention Or Treatment Of Covid-19 And Other Respiratory Tract Infections In Humans: A Rapid Review. Advances in Integrative Medicine, 4(7), 203-217. Link Here
• Cichello, S., Yao, Q., He, X. (2016). Proliferative Activity Of a Blend Of Echinacea Angustifolia And Echinacea Purpurea Root Extracts In Human Vein Epithelial, Hela, And Qbc-939 Cell Lines, But Not In Beas-2b Cell Lines. Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine, 2(6), 193-197. Link Here
• Labban, L., Kudsi, M., Malek, Z., Thallaj, N. (2020). Pain Relieving Properties Of Ginger (Z. Officinale) and Echinacea (E. Angustifolia) Extracts Supplementation Among Female Patients With Osteoarthritis. A Randomized Study. AMDHS, 3(3), 45-48. Link Here
• Liu, Y., Zeng, J., Chen, B., Yao, S. (2007). Investigation Of Phenolic Constituents In echinacea Purpurea Grown In China. Planta Med, 15(73), 1600-1605. Link Here
• Najafzadeh, H., Ghorbanpour, M., Mayahi, M., Gavzan, H. (2011). Effect Of echinacea Purpurea on Antibody Production Against Fowl Influenza Vaccine. Journal of Applied Animal Research, 2(39), 139-141. Link Here
• Pazyar, N., Yaghoobi, R., Rafiee, E., Mehrabian, A., Feily, A. (2014). Skin Wound Healing and Phytomedicine: A Review. Skin Pharmacol Physiol, 6(27), 303-310. Link Here
• Sharifi-Rad, M., Mnayer, D., Morais-Braga, M., Carneiro, J., Bezerra, C., Coutinho, H., … & Sharifi-Rad, J. (2018). Echinacea plants As Antioxidant and Antibacterial Agents: From Traditional Medicine To Biotechnological Applications. Phytotherapy Research, 9(32), 1653-1663. Link Here
• Özyurt, H. (2020). Changes In the Content Of Total Polyphenols And The Antioxidant Activity Of Different Beverages Obtained By Kombucha ‘Tea Fungus’. International Journal of Agriculture Environment and Food Sciences, 3(4), 255-261. Link Here