AKA: Snakeroot, coneflower, comb flower, prairie, American Coneflower, Echinacea Augustfolia, Echinacea Pallida, Purple Coneflower, Black Sampson, Comb Flower, Hedgehog, Indian Head, Rudbeckia, Sampson Head, Scurvy Root

Echinacea is a large genus of herbaceous plants native to North America. Commonly called the purple coneflower, these members of the Asteraceae family are known for blooming showy, cone shaped heads. Several different species of the Echinacea are used for their medicinal properties including the trio: Echinacea pallida, Echinacea Purpurea and Echinacea Augustfolia.

The flowers of the the Echinacea are generally a rich purple color, with the florets seated on a prominent head that appears cone like because of the downward pointing outward florets. The roots are cylindrical and tapering, and the plant's bark is thin while the wood in the stem is thick. The Echinacea gives off a aromatic smell and has a sweetish taste and a tingling aftertaste.

Uses and Benefits

Echinacea stimulates the overall activity of the cells responsible for fighting all kinds of infection. Unlike antibiotics, which directly attack bacteria, echinacea makes our own immune cells more efficient at attacking bacteria, viruses and abnormal cells, including cancer cells. It increases the number and activity of immune system cells including anti-tumor cells, promotes T-cell activation, stimulates new tissue growth for wound healing and reduces inflammation in arthritis and inflammatory skin conditions.

Echinacea has been used as a home remedy against many common ailments including the cold and flu. It is believed that this herb helps the body's immune system, helping fight of both bacterial and viral invaders. Herbalists have long considered Echinacea as one of nature's best purifiers as well as an extremely effective antibiotic. It has been considered especially useful in both chronic respiratory and urinary infections. Echinacea has been hailed as an all around immune booster that relieves symptoms of hay fever, ulcers and arthritis. As a topical, extracts of the Echinacea plant can even be used to help cure eczema, psoriasis, and herpes simplex.

Echinacea comes in many different forms and is included in a wide array of supplements. It can be a capsule, liquid, soft gel, or tincture. It can be bought whole as a dried herb, or prepackaged in tea bags. It can even be found as a cream preparation that can be used on sunburns or other skin irritations. Since this healing plant is found in so many forms, there are no real standardized preparations. Many herbalists recommend anywhere from 1 to 5 grams of the herb per day, divided in several doses.

Side Effects

When taken orally, Echinacea is considered to be generally safe. If you happen to be allergic to members of the daisy family, it is recommended that you do not take Echinacea. Also stop use if signs of allergic reaction appear (wheezing, skin rash, diarrhea). Some cases of severe allergic reaction have been reported including increased asthma the life threatening allergic reaction: anaphylaxis. A recent study has also indicated that children between the ages of 2 to 11 are 2.5 times more likely to develop skin rashes when taking oral doses of Echinacea.  On the plus side, another study found women who were pregnant showed no greater incidence of birth defects or miscarriage when taking Echinacea.

Word of caution

If you plan to use therapeutic doses of Echinacea, be aware that there is no concrete information available of the herbs exact side effects. Always be sure to discuss your plans with your personal physician before taking a herb that the FDA has declared of “undefined safety”. A recent German commission has recommended that people suffering from an autoimmune or progressive disease such as lupus, MS, HIV, or tuberculosis should not take Echinacea.

Drugs that may interact with Echinacea

* Cyclosporine
* Tacrolimus
* Azathioprine
* Methotrexate
* Other immune system suppressants
* Celestone
* Hexadol
* Decadron
* Cortone
* Fortec
* Hydrocortone

There are a multitude of drugs that interact with echinacea so if you choose to start taking this herb, be sure to check with  with your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.

We all know that  during the first sign of a cold or flu, it is good to start taking Echinacea augustifolia or Echinacea purpurea to help give our immune system the boost it needs to fight off the virus. This purple coneflower family has long been treasured for its immune enhancing capabilities with antiseptic and tonic properties. Taking it immediately after you start feeling sick and continuing for a few weeks will help boost your immune system helping you get better faster or not even get sick at all. We all know that and immediately look for it as the cold weather shows up. But, did you know that echinacea can be used for so many other things.

Despite being a an immune enhancer, Echinacea can also help in cases  where the immune system is the root of the problem. Taking Echinacea can also help out with allergies or autoimmune disorders like rheumatoid arthritis. It can also  have a cleansing effect on both the circulatory and lymphatic systems helping with cases of psoriasis and swollen glands . Echinacea can also be used for toothaches and even yeast infections, making the herb a valuable medical plant even after the cold and flu season has passed. You can take this herb  internally as a pill, infusion, tea ,or even use it as a topical.

Echinacea and cellulite

Most importantly, with its ability to stimulate circulation, Echinacea is ideal for many other types of skin conditions including boils, herpes, eczema, warts, skin ulcers and cellulite. In fact here is a good cellulite tea recipe that features this helpful little flower from the American Plains.

Add together:
Two parts echinacea
One part cleavers
One part poke root

Pour in boiling water and let it infuse for five minute. Strain it and store it in the fridge.  Drink one cup three times daily.

And if you do have a cold:

 As soon as you start feeling it, start taking the root in whatever form you wish for three weeks, with one week off. Teas and brews are great, but tinctures and other forms are just as effective. If you take echinacea pills, but sure to take it with a full glass of water, and if you take a liquid form, be sure to read all the measuring instructions to ensure proper dosage. To help with the effectiveness of this herb, quit taking echinacea after six weeks.