The ability of echinacea to strengthen the immune system and keep the body in good shape has been known for a very long time. And therefore, such a plant is often included in the composition of both drugs and dietary supplements. One of them is "Echinacea Syrup", which is loved for its pleasant taste and affordable price. Adults often take it during the colder months of the year to help the immune system fight off virus attacks. However, in childhood, there are restrictions for the use of such a tool.
Release form and composition
Echinacea Syrup is available from several manufacturers and is not a medicine. This is just an active food supplement on the body, which is usually a slightly viscous sweet liquid. It is sold in glass bottles and has a yellow or brown tint. Such a solution is often transparent, but during storage, a cloudy precipitate or flakes may appear, which is not a sign of deterioration.
One of the more popular echinacea syrups is Dr. Vistong. One bottle of this product contains 150 ml of syrup. This sweet-tasting supplement, in addition to echinacea extract, contains vitamins C, B1, B6 and B2. At the same time, there is no sugar in such a product, and fructose, sodium benzoate and water act as auxiliary components.
Other syrups also contain an aqueous extract of the herb Echinacea as the active ingredient, but most contain sugar syrup. Such supplements may also contain vitamins and usually contain preservatives such as potassium sorbate.
Operating principle
Due to the presence of polysaccharides, organic acids, inulin, essential oils, tannins, betaine and other compounds in the herb of Echinacea, such a plant is able to activate non-specific immunity. In particular, the syrup stimulates the activity of immune cells and the formation of antibodies, and also has a positive effect on metabolic processes. Its reception increases natural defenses, as well as shortens the duration and alleviates the symptoms of colds, SARS or inflammatory diseases of the oropharynx.
Indications
The most common reason to take Echinacea Syrup is to prevent viral infections of the respiratory tract and frequent colds. In addition, such a remedy is recommended for patients who have undergone an infectious disease or surgery. In such cases, "Echinacea Syrup" helps to restore strength faster.
At what age is it prescribed?
Some manufacturers indicate on the syrup bottle the possibility of using it from 14 years old (it is from this age that the Dr. Vistong series product is allowed to be used), others note that the product is recommended only for adults.
In any case, before using such a remedy in patients under 18 years of age, a doctor's consultation is needed.
Contraindications
The additive is prohibited in case of hypersensitivity to echinacea, as well as tuberculosis, leukemia, autoimmune processes and other serious diseases. If a teenager has any health problems, it is unacceptable to give him Echinacea Syrup without consulting a doctor.
Side effects
Some people react to Echinacea Syrup with allergy symptoms, such as a rash on the skin. This reaction is associated with the plant base of the product and requires discontinuation of its intake. In addition, occasionally syrup provokes nausea or other unpleasant symptoms from the digestive system. In such cases, the drug should also be canceled.
Instructions for use
After shaking the syrup bottle, Dr. Vistong is given to children over 14 years old, 30 ml each - this is how much solution fits in two tablespoons. It is usually taken once a day with any meal.
How long to drink "Echinacea Syrup" for a particular patient, it is best to ask your doctor. Usually such a remedy is taken in a course lasting 14-21 days, and the courses themselves are repeated several times a year.
Overdose
If you give the supplement in a higher dose than what is indicated on the package or is prescribed by a doctor, it can provoke various negative symptoms, for example, cause nausea or an allergic rash.
Having identified an overdose, the syrup is immediately canceled and the condition of the teenager is monitored, and if necessary, they consult a doctor.
Terms of sale and storage
To buy "Echinacea Syrup" you do not need to receive a prescription from a doctor, but use in children, even over the age of 14, is undesirable without consulting a specialist. One bottle of Dr. Vistong costs 110-120 rubles. The shelf life of this syrup is 2 years. It is recommended to store a sealed bottle at a temperature not exceeding 25 degrees Celsius, but after opening it is advised to place it in the refrigerator and keep it there for a maximum of 1 month.
Reviews
The use of "Echinacea Syrup" is generally well received. When using syrup in winter and spring, patients note that the intervals between colds become longer, and viral ailments pass faster and easier. The pluses of the product also include the absence of alcohol in the composition and the low cost.
At the same time, among its main disadvantages, parents name age restrictions for children and the fact that several packages are required for one course of treatment (the product is consumed very quickly). In addition, some patients, after taking the syrup, developed allergy symptoms, which made it necessary to refuse further intake.
Analogs
If you need an analogue of Echinacea Syrup for the smallest patients, Immunal is usually chosen. This remedy works in a similar way, because it is also based on echinacea. However, the main ingredient of the medicine is not an extract, but a juice. For babies over a year old, the drug is available in liquid form (solution), and from 4 years old it can also be used in tablets. In reviews of "Immunal" they usually note its good effect on immunity, but complain about the high price.
To replace it, they can use "Tincture of Echinacea", which is allowed from the age of 12 and is much cheaper. Such a remedy contains an extract from a medicinal herb, supplemented with ethyl alcohol, which causes restrictions for children. However, parents who gave the tincture to teenagers usually speak positively about it.
Another analogue of "Echinacea Syrup" can be called "Immunorm" tablets. Like Immunal, this medicine works due to the dried juice obtained from Echinacea. However, the dosage of the active ingredient in one tablet is quite high, therefore, Immunorm, like Echinacea Tincture, can be given to strengthen the immune system only to patients over 12 years old.
About which vitamins raise immunity, Dr. Komarovsky will tell in the next video.
