Each week we bring news of a product, foodstuff, exercise technique or pill that promises potentially magical health-giving properties. This week, it's echinacea.

By Robert Carry

Who doesn’t want to be that little bit healthier? Especially if improving your health involves minimal effort. With this in mind we’ve made it our mission to bring you news each week of a product, a foodstuff, an exercise technique or a pill that promises potentially magical health-giving properties.

This week’s magic ingredient: Echinacea.

Not to be confused with: Ephedrine. Seriously.

Ah. I’ve heard of this stuff, but I have no idea why. Echinacea is one of the new boys on the dietary supplement block, if there is such a thing, but has rapidly been building a following.

So what is it then? Well, there are two things in the world which carry the name ‘echinacea’. One is a small, spiky sea urchin-type character and the other is a species of purple flowering plant native to the plains of east and north America. You want the plant.

What does it do for you? Echinacea has traditionally been used to treat or prevent colds, flu and other infections. It works by stimulating your immune system which in turn enables you to fend off all types of bugs, boosting your general health and well-being in the process. Results of a more recent study has also suggested that echinacea supplements could have anti-tumor properties.

How does it manage that?

There are three immune-enhancing ingredients in echinacea, namely, polysaccharides, alkylamides and chichoric acid. Delicious.

How is it taken? Echinacea normally comes in either tablet or capsule form. However, you can also get effervescent tablets, which dissolve in a glass of water, which have echinacea among the list of ingredients.

Where do you get it? Echinacea is one of the most commonly available dietary supplements out there so you will be well able to find it. Start your search in health food shops, pharmacies and, in many cases, your local supermarket. If you don’t fancy doing the footwork, you can order it online here.