Top 5 Health Benefits of Echinacea

What is Echinacea?

Echinacea is a perennial plant native to the American prairie that is now cultivated in gardens over most of the continental United States. It resembles a large pink daisy with a briskly, raised center.

There are two types of Echinacea: Echinacea angustifolia and Echinacea purpurea. The variety that is said to have the most potent benefits is Echinacea angustifolia. A few health benefits of Echinacea are listed below:

Helps Heal Acne and Skin Conditions
Echinacea is a classic remedy for eczema, acne and boils. Echinacea supports a normal complexion by helping to discourage blemishes and irritation. Other studies found that it helps hydrate the skin and reduce the appearance of wrinkles.

Good For Immune System
Echinacea is known as an Immune Booster. Echinacea can have a powerful impact on the immune system; over 14 clinical trials have confirmed its ability to encourage good health all year long. Other studies show echinacea to be among the most effective supplements for seasonal wellness.


Works As An Anti-Inflammatory
Because of its clinically demonstrated anti-inflammatory properties, Echinacea has been suggested as a treatment for rheumatoid arthritis, ulcers, Crohn’s disease, and other conditions that are caused or worsened by inflammation. The biologically active compounds in Echinacea work with your body to keep its inflammation response down. This contributes to healing and relief for many inflammation-related issues. If you're a female that has bad cramps during your menstruation period, echinacea may be a good fit for you.

Helps Purify The Blood
Echinacea may improve oxygen levels in the blood. Echinacea increases erythropoietin production in the bone marrow, this, in turn, promotes red blood cell production and increases the capacity of the blood to transport oxygen.

Good for Oral Health
Echinacea has been evaluated in combination with other herbs like sage and lavender and found to reduce bad breath. It's believed this effect is partly due to echinacea's ability to neutralized the harmful organisms that cause bad breath.

Ways to Consume/Prepare Echinacea

Echinacea can be drank as a tea.

1. Heat 8-16 ounces of distilled or filtered water over medium to high heat.
2. Add a mixture of flowers, roots, and leaves.
3. Cover with a lid, reduce the heat, and simmer for about 15 minutes.
4. Strain and enjoy hot or cold!

Add local honey if you would like some flavor.

It can also be used on your skin to help with acne.

Article Resources:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23455214

https://www.healthline.com/health/echinacea-tea-benefits

https://www.globalhealingcenter.com/natural-health/10-impressive-echinacea-benefits-support-health/

Have you tried Echinacea? Tell us your thoughts in the comments and connect with us @BOLDJournal on all social media outlets.

Overcoming My Struggle With Depression

by: April D. Byrd

It's this paralyzing, overwhelming feeling of not being able to move, particularly after I've had some sort of perceived success. I laid in the bed the majority of the day, thoughts rummaging through my head and more bad news coming by the minute, one of my young cousin's is dying in hospice, more is being requested out of me that I'm not sure I can provide, more being piled on top of the list, on and off social media looking at whatever, to just laying..."this" feeling had always happened to me. The feeling of being incapable and stuck, the "depressed" feeling and I'd spend hours just doing nothing.

It's not the "doing nothing" part that's so concerning, but the helplessness. "Why do I feel so helpless?" After 10 or so years, or maybe the majority of my life doing "this". It really jumped out to me that it's NOT ok. It really clicked that: It's depression. And on the eve of my 27th birthday this month, I just realized that the battle I've struggled with for so long was depression.

This is a time in my life that I really felt like I was pushing through to my breakthrough, but all hell is breaking loose as it usually does. Simultaneously when I decide that I can make it, and I'm gonna go for it...all hell is breaking loose. The odds stacked up against me seem insurmountable. I couldn't help but hear in my spirit. "God puts you in chaos to bring the best out of you".  If that's the case then there must be something amazing in store. I honestly do feel like my breakthrough is around the corner. Because of my desire for God to use me, I suspect that this issue had to come out. I couldn't keep living in bondage, but wanting success and quality at the same time. The unction received from the holy spirit: "God will never take you where He can't sustain you." Of course God can sustain me anywhere, but I can't keep getting in my own way.

It really just hit me that I struggle with depression. Sitting there feeling helpless, feeling useless, feeling lost...for most of the day. In an instant, my eyes were open, I felt revelation and pain, and something had to give, I got up in tears. For the first time I realized that this was a struggle. The crazy thing is, with the revelation I got up. I felt embarrassed, ashamed, and hurt, but I got up. The next thing I did was call my pastor so she could pray for me. The next step from here will be to get some professional help or counseling, I also want to explore the issues relating to depression how it has affected me and so many people.  I praise God that I had the strength and the direction to call my pastor. I feel a breakthrough, and now more than anything I have a sense of direction.

God gave me a vision and an organization before, a platform, that I really didn't know what to do with. Now I have my voice and no devil in hell will stop it... I won't either.