Herbally Yours

Echinacea, that pretty purple coneflower. A joy to behold in your flower garden, and a medicine to be used for a plethora of ailments. Echinacea angustifolia used to grow wild over much of the United States and was first used by the Native Americans. They took it internally for colds, flu, sore throat, and even scarlet fever. They applied it topically to gangrenous wounds, skin infections and even swore by it for snake bite.

More recently it has been popularized as an immune booster and infection fighter. Much of the wild Echinacea angustifolia, which can not easily be propagated in a domestic setting, has been destroyed by big pharmaceutical companies harvesting it with a bull dozer, leaving none to propagate for future harvest. Originally the root was the only part thought to be medicinal, but European studies on Echinacea purpurea showed that the flowers, leaves and seeds were very potent medicine. The root of Echinacea p. is used also, but harvesting of the ariel portions and the ease with which it can be propagated has made it the main plant used for medicinal purposes today.

Echinacea is well known for its anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-inflammatory properties. It is one of the herbs I use in a blend to relieve the symptoms and shorten the duration of common colds, flu and bronchitis. It helps boost the immune system and push toxins out of the system, is considered a blood purifier and useful for lymph node inflammation.

The roots are dug in the fall after most of the leaves have died and the plant has gone dormant. They can be scrubbed, sliced or chopped and dried for use in teas or can be tinctured in grain alcohol or vinegar.