Echinacea is commonly known as Purple Coneflower. There are multiple species of this plant. The three most discussed among herbalists are angustifolia, purpurea, and pallida. Standing two to three feet in height these beautiful medicinal plants are a common sight in many flower gardens. The flowers range in color from off-white to yellow, pink, purple, and even red. They are very effective at drawing in pollinators.  You should consider adding some to your herb garden.

Echinacea
(Echinacea angustifolia, purpurea, pallida)

Common Name: Purple Coneflower, Snake Root, Hedgehog

Plant Family: Asteraceae

Plant Part Used: The whole plant can be used (flowers, leaves, & roots).

Extraction Method: Alcohol tincture, Glycerin, Apple Cider Vinegar, Water decoction

Countries of Origin: Native to North America from Canada to Mexico.

Properties: Antiseptic, Antibacterial, Antiviral, Analgesic

Therapeutic Uses: Stimulates the immune system, cleans wounds, and soothes insect and snake bites.

Energetics: Drying, Cooling

*Caution should be taken by people with auto-immune disorders as the use of echinacea may cause a flare-up.  Always do your research and consult your doctor before taking any herbs.  Echinacea may also cause an allergic reaction in people who are sensitive to flowers in the daisy family.  Discontinue use if a reaction occurs.

Chances are you have seen echinacea growing in an open field, a highway median, or a home garden. These groups of brilliant flowers with their petals of pink and purple surround an orange prickly center and stand two to three feet in height. They are hard to miss.

There are many species of the plant, but the three used most often by herbalists are angustifolia, purpurea, and pallida.

The different varieties are native to regional areas of the United States. E. angustifolia is more commonly found in the western United States ranging north into Canada and south to Texas. E. purpurea is more at home in the eastern U.S. from Georgia to New England and west to Michigan and Ohio. E. pallida prefers the central states from Michigan to Texas. (Johnson, 2010)

E. angustifolia has a long tap root while purpurea has a more webbed and fibrous root system. Proper identification of species can be done by examining the plant’s leaves and flower heads without digging up the roots.  All three species have hairy stems. E. purpurea has oval-shaped toothed leaves which have a heart-shaped base. The leaves of E. pallida have longer, toothless leaves. Its flower heads are more drooped than other species. E. angustifolia is the shortest of the three. The leaves are much thinner, longer, and lance-like. (Johnson, 2010) Rosalee de la Foret has the most detailed description with illustrations on page 304 of Wild Remedies. (De La Foret, 2020)

E. purpurea is the easiest to grow for the home gardener. It is a perennial flower and will self-sow if left to its own devices.  It can also be propagated by spreading gathered seeds or dividing the roots.

Echinacea is on the “at risk” plant list and should not be wild harvested. If you purchase echinacea please buy from reputable sources that cultivate the plants using sustainable methods.

Tincturing the roots in 80-proof alcohol or greater is the favorite method of extracting the medicinal properties of the plant. Making tea or juicing the flowers is the best way to use the purpurea variety, but the roots can also be used.   

In my research, I have found that to many herbalists, the roots of E. angustifolia and E. purpurea are interchangeable. Stephen Harrod Buhner though, in his book Herbal Antibiotics goes as far as to say he doesn’t particularly like using the purpurea variety in tincture form because he feels it is not as potent as angustifolia. He does find it useful to juice the fresh leaves and flowers. (Harrod Buhner)

Echinacea spp. is considered a “True Native American Medicinal Plant.” Its medicinal use can be traced back to many indigenous tribes here in the United States. They used all the plant parts for ailments ranging from sore mouths and throats, and sepsis, to snake bites. Perhaps this is where the common name of Snake Root comes in. (McKenna, 2002)

Echinacea first entered mainstream herbalism in 1870 as one of the constituents of “Meyer’s Blood Purifier.” (Johnson, 2010) In 1887 Eclectic herbalists began using the herb and by the 1920s it was the most popular herb distributed.  However, as herbalism was pushed underground with the emergence of pharmaceutical companies more people turned from herbs to modern antibiotics. 

Today it is making a comeback. More people are returning to natural methods to care for themselves and family.  Echinacea is best recognized for helping the immune system fight off infection. It is best taken at the first sign of illness.  As a tea one to two teaspoons of leaves and flowers should be covered with boiling water, covered, and allowed to steep for 5 to 6 minutes.  Strain the herbs and drink the tea while warm.  Honey can be added for taste and as an added benefit for throat irritation.  The roots can also be decocted in 1 to 2 cups of water for approximately 10 minutes, strained, and drank as above.  Drink warm tea throughout the day.

Tincture and glycerite should also be taken when symptoms first appear.  Two or three droppers full (1/4 -1/2 tsp) should be placed under the tongue and held for as long as possible. Tincture should be taken every 3-4 hours.

Taken orally echinacea works to help ease conditions of the throat. Steven Harrod Buhner suggests taking tincture every hour under the tongue to fight the bacteria that causes strep throat. Mix tincture with water to create a mouthwash that will help ease infections of the mouth and gums.

Echinacea does more than act against infection in the body. It also inhibits an enzyme, hyaluronidase, which destroys tissue. This enzyme is found in bites from venomous creatures like snakes, spiders, and bees.  Take 1 to 2 ounces of tincture or glycerite to slow the destruction of tissue and seek medical help immediately.  (De La Floret, 2020)

In his blog, Doc Jones writes about how he used echinacea to help his daughter when she was bitten by a hobo spider. I hope I am never bitten by a hobo spider, but it is comforting to know that I can reach into my apothecary and take out a bottle of echinacea tincture should any other creepy crawlers get me.

Echinacea is great for helping the body fight infection, but it is best used only when needed.  It is not considered a tonic herb and should not be taken as a preventative to ward off colds and flu. 

Echinacea tincture is the very first herbal remedy I made. I had no idea what I was doing.  I followed a recipe and let it sit on a shelf. That was in 2020.  I have used that tincture for the last couple of years. If I felt a cold or flu coming on, I took my tincture and after a few days, I would be back to normal. Recently I was exposed to strep throat. I woke up a few days later with very swollen glands and a very sore throat. I followed Steven Harrod Buchner’s direction and took my tincture every hour for a few days.  I drank lots of herb teas and bone broth and slept.  Within four days my throat was better, and the swollen glands had returned to almost normal.  Did I have strep? I don’t know for sure because I was never tested. Did the echinacea attack the bacteria and give my immune system the boost it needed to fight off an infection? I will never know for sure.  What I do know is I did not take the antibiotics that everyone else took but I got well just like they did. This is what is considered anecdotal evidence.  It is enough for me. 

References

DE LA FORET, R. H. (2020). WILD REMEDIES.   CALIFORNIA: HAY HOUSE.

HARROD BUHNER, S. (N.D.). HERBAL ANTIBIOTICS. 

JOHNSON, R. L. (2010). NATIONAL GRAPHIC GUIDE TO   MEDICINAL HERBS. WASHINGTON: NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC SOCIETY.

MCKENNA, D. J. (2002). BOTANICAL MEDICINES THE   DESK REFERENCE FOR MAJOR HERBAL SUPPLEMENTS. BINGHAMTON: THE HAWTHORN   PRESS INC.