Echinacea
is one of the most widely used and researched herbs in the world.
Most commonly, echinacea augustifolia and echinacea purpurea are
used, but there do exist other medicinal varieties. Echinacea is
native to North America and has been used by the Great Plain Tribes
for more than 400 years, as well as by traditional herbalists. Before
1950, when antibiotics were introduced, echinacea was a very popular
medicine. It remains popular today as an easy-to-grow ornamental
garden flower, with showy pink or purple petals and a mounded head on
long stems. (It is also called purple coneflower). Bees and
butterflies are particularly fond of these blooms.
Current
research has shown that echinacea can reduce your chances of catching
a cold or flu by 58% and reduce the duration by one and a half days,
if taken early as a tea or tincture. The roots, seeds and flowers of
this plant all have medicinal properties. The aerial parts of the
plant are the most effective, as they contain more polysaccharides,
which are known to trigger immune function.
Most
historical references to echinacea speak of the topical use as a pain
reliever- it can be made into a paste and applied to help with
headaches, tonsillitis, stomachaches, toothaches, eczema and other
skin conditions. If taken regularly as tea, those suffering from
rheumatoid arthritis can benefit. Echinacea soothes inflammation and
helps to heal the stomach. It is also hepful for urinary tract
infections, upper respiratory infections and wounds that are slow to
heal.
Use
echinacea with caution, as high doses can cause nausea.
by Kristy Baird
