Mixed findings have emerged from studies. Echinacea extracts do appear to affect the immune system, your body’s line of protection against pathogens. According to research, it boosts the quantity of white blood cells, which fight illnesses. The herbal medicine had a very little advantage in avoiding colds, according to an analysis of more than a dozen research that was published in 2014.
However, neither children nor adults who took echinacea for a cold reported any relief from it in two trials supported by the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.
However, because different studies examine different echinacea varieties and potencies as well as various plant or root portions, it might be challenging to compare the findings of several studies. There’s a chance that certain variations are superior to others. Additionally, it’s probable that the herbal cure will work against some but not all of the more than 200 cold-causing viruses.
Adult
Take echinacea three times daily for the first ten days of a cold, flu, upper respiratory infection, or bladder infection to stimulate the immune system generally.
Echinacea should NOT be taken on an empty stomach. Take it with food or a big glass of water instead.
Who should avoid using echinacea?
The more frequent echinacea adverse effects are as follows:
- headaches
- dizziness
- feeling unwell
- belly pain
- constipation
- skin repercussions (redness, itchiness and swelling)
- Children are more likely to have them.
Echinacea use for longer than 8 weeks at a time may cause liver damage or immune system suppression. If you are taking medications known to have an adverse effect on your liver, herbalists advise against taking echinacea.
If you use any additional medications, herbs, or supplements, check with your doctor first.
Using echinacea safely
If you want to substitute echinacea for your cancer therapy, let your doctor know. Additionally, if you are considering taking it concurrently with your cancer therapy.
In some people, it may not be safe to use in conjunction with other cancer treatments.
Echinacea may impair the effectiveness of some chemotherapy medications, including etoposide.
Sometimes pharmacists and medical professionals advise lymphoma patients not to consume echinacea. This is so that it won’t affect how they’re being treated.
Researchers discovered that echinacea and etravine were safe to ingest together in HIV-positive individuals.
If any of the following apply to you before consuming echinacea:
- are breastfeeding or pregnant
- have a medical condition like autoimmune illness, HIV, or AIDS that impairs your immune system
- are medicating to weaken your immune system because it might fight them
- are under 12 years old
- There is a possibility of allergic responses including skin rashes, according to the medical health regulatory association (MHRA).
Always discuss the use of complementary or alternative cancer therapy with your doctors and nurses. They could affect how well your other therapies work.
Your treatment team can point you in the direction of further resources if they don’t have the knowledge you need.
Does echinacea benefit the blood?
Echinacea extracts may inhibit the growth of cancer cells and even cause cancer cell death, according to experiments conducted in test tubes (25, 26).
An extract of Echinacea purpurea and chicoric acid, which is naturally present in echinacea plants, was demonstrated in one test-tube investigation to cause cancer cell death (25).
In another experiment, echinacea plant extracts (Echinacea purpurea, Echinacea angustifolia, and Echinacea pallida) destroyed colon and pancreatic cancer cells in test tubes by inducing apoptosis, or regulated cell death (26).
It is thought that the immune-stimulating components of echinacea cause this effect (27).
Conventional cancer medicines like doxorubicin were once thought to interact with echinacea, but more recent investigations have found no evidence of this (28, 29).
Echinacea has been demonstrated to enhance skin health, blood sugar control, anxiety, and immunity. It might even possess anti-cancer qualities. However, there hasn’t been much human-based study on these advantages.
What plants increase the white blood cell count?
Superfood garlic is used to cure a variety of medical conditions. The plant, which has a strong aroma and is virtually often found in kitchens, has antibacterial, antibiotic, and anti-inflammatory qualities. White blood cell production is increased by chemicals in ginger, which helps the body combat foreign bacteria and viruses. You can raise the garlic content in your food to strengthen your immune system.
What can boost white blood cell production?
Leukopenia, or low white blood cell counts (WBCs), can happen occasionally while receiving chemotherapy. Most of the time, blood levels will return to normal both before and after a person completes their course of cancer treatment. To defend itself against intruders known as antigens, such as bacteria, viruses, and allergens, the body relies on its immune system. By attacking these dangerous pathogens, white blood cells help the body stay healthy. When it comes to keeping your immune system strong, proper nutrition is essential. White blood cell production and strength are increased by essential vitamins and minerals, giving your immune system the vigour it needs to combat infection. Increase the amount of these vitamins in your diet, but remember that everyone’s WBC returns to normal at a different rate and period.
If your ANC is low, you can reduce your risk of infection by washing your hands frequently throughout the day for 15 to 30 seconds with warm water and an antibacterial soap, as well as each time you prepare food. Avoid unwashed or mouldy fruit and vegetables, unpasteurized beverages such fruit and vegetable juice, beer, milk, and unpasteurized honey if you have neutropenia. You should also avoid mouldy or expired food. Before eating, fruits and vegetables should be well washed. Additionally, it’s crucial to follow good hygiene, hand-washing, and food safety procedures.
A multivitamin and mineral supplement including vitamin B12 and folate may be helpful if your diet is subpar or you have a lot of difficulties eating while receiving treatment. These two vitamins are required by the body to produce white blood cells. However, before using any nutritional supplements, always consult a medical professional or nutritionist. This is because some of these products should not be used in conjunction with specific chemotherapy treatments.
Omega-3 fatty acids from food can aid in boosting the body’s phagocyte production, a class of white blood cells that engulfs hazardous intruders. According to a study from 2022 that was published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers, and Prevention, volunteers who consumed dietary fatty acids had higher amounts of white blood cells and B cells with greater activity. Flaxseed oil, chia seeds, fish oil, walnuts, oysters, salmon, spinach, and soybeans are foods high in omega 3.
Since ancient times, green tea has been used to treat a variety of illnesses. It is packed with flavonoids, epigallocatechin gallate, or EGCG, and antioxidants that strengthen the immune system and help the body fight infections. The amino acid L-theanine, which is also present in green tea, boosts the T-cells’ ability to produce antimicrobial substances. So, for best effects, consume green every day.
Garlic helps to increase the number of white blood cells and the activity of natural killer cells. Additionally, it contains a lot of sulphur, which helps to increase white blood cell count and immunity. According to a study, garlic is a great immune system booster and is highly efficient against viral, fungal, bacterial, and parasite illness due to its antibacterial characteristics and high vitamin C concentration. Additionally, it appears to strengthen WBCs’ capacity to fight infections and strengthen other immune cells. To improve the flavour of your favourite dishes and salad dressing and to enjoy its numerous advantages, add garlic.
Due to their high vitamin C and vitamin A content, fruits and vegetables can aid in boosting the synthesis of antibodies and white blood cells (Beta Carotene). To guarantee optimal consumption of these vitamins, you should consume at least 5–6 servings of fruits and vegetables daily. All types of peppers, mustard greens, brussels sprouts, kale, broccoli, spinach, and cauliflower are vegetables with high vitamin C content. Guava, strawberries, papaya, kiwi, citrus, and cantaloupe are among fruits high in vitamin C. Additionally, beta-carotene aids in the formation of T-cells and infection-fighting cells and strengthens the immune system to increase the number of white blood cells. Carrots, pumpkin, squash, sweet potatoes, apricots, and mangoes are among the fruits and vegetables high in beta-carotene.
Due to its high vitamin A and vitamin C content, this fruit might stimulate the body’s production of white blood cells or lymphocytes. Additionally, it contains papain, a digestive enzyme with anti-inflammatory properties. Additionally, because this fruit is a good source of folate, potassium, and B vitamins, it helps to boost your general health.
Vitamin E-rich foods can boost your immunity because they have antioxidant characteristics that encourage the formation of killer cells, which help fight off pathogens and cancer cells. Vitamin E helps to make antibodies, which are useful for destroying bacteria, and so increases the creation of B-cells, which are produced as a result of immunity. To acquire your recommended daily intake of vitamin E, consume foods like almonds, peanut butter, sunflower seeds, broccoli, and spinach.
They are a great source of selenium and, in fact, have 96 mcg on average per nut, which is more than any other nut. Therefore, 175 percent of the essential amount of this mineral is present in a typical Brazil nut. A trace element called selenium is essential for the healthy operation of your body. It affects your immune system and cell proliferation in addition to being crucial for your thyroid. Selenium supplementation has been associated with better results for cancer, infections, infertility, pregnancy, heart disease, and mental problems as well as an improved immune system. Brazil nuts are a very efficient way to maintain or enhance your selenium consumption, to sum up. In fact, one study involving 60 individuals discovered that increasing selenium levels through daily consumption of two Brazil nuts was just as beneficial as taking a selenium supplement.
Vitamins B6 and B12, along with folic acid, aid in the body’s production of white blood cells. Sunflower seeds, chicken, turkey, dry nuts, avocados, spinach, and bananas are among foods high in vitamin B6. Lentils, dry beans and peas, leafy greens including broccoli, spinach, asparagus, and okra, as well as citrus fruits, are foods high in folic acid. Additionally, you can take folic acid supplements. Low-fat yoghurt, milk, fortified morning cereals, chicken, clams, trout, and salmon are some of the foods high in vitamin B12. Remember to see a doctor for the suggested dosages of these foods and supplements that are appropriate for your medical conditions as well as any prescribed medications.
Because our bodies require the building blocks (amino acids) from the protein we eat to generate the new WBCs, it is crucial for cancer patients to include high-quality protein in their diets. Fish, eggs, seafood, and skinless poultry are examples of lean meats that are rich in protein. Lentils, beans, and soy are excellent plant-based sources.
One of the finest foods to eat to boost white blood cells is zinc since it helps the body manufacture more WBCs and makes the ones it already has more aggressive. Beef, oysters, crab, beef, and turkey are among the foods high in zinc. Additionally, fortified cereals and legumes contain zinc.
Probiotics included in yoghurt are beneficial in the battle against harmful microorganisms. Additionally, it boosts your immune system, which helps to increase white blood cells. A study found that persons who regularly drink probiotic-containing beverages have greater WBC levels because there are fewer harmful bacteria growing in the digestive tract. Yogurt also contains a lot of vitamin D, which supports the body’s natural defences against disease and regulates immunity.