Echinacea
Echinacea
Echinacea angustifolia or Echinacea purpurea
AKA: Kansas snakeroot, Purple coneflower, Sampson root
Portrait: Perennial. Native to the central US, particularly the prairie states and north to Pennsylvania. Commercially cultivated in Europe and North America. Distinctive daisy-like purple flowers bloom from June to October. Roots of 4-year-old plants are harvested in autumn.
Medicinal Element: Roots
Herbal Properties: Anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, depurative, digestive
Summary: Long considered an herb of purification, the antibiotic properties of echinacea are secondary to its strong effect on immunity. Echinacea stimulates the immune system and appears to aid in the recovery of illnesses such as colds and influenza (taken in the very early stages), strep and staph infections, candidiasis (vaginal and non-vaginal), and several skin ailments including psoriasis and herpes. Used for many conditions characterized by inflammation, echinacea seems to regulate and enhance the healing process and may be a helpful remedy for treating allergy symptoms. Because of its position as the most important immune stimulant in western herbal medicine, echinacea is currently under investigation as a potential treatment for AIDS and HIV infection. Note that the best-quality echinacea leaves a tingling sensation on the tongue. High doses of this herb can cause nausea.
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Filed under: herbs | 3 Comments
This herb is a superb! I have sucessfully used this herb to control my allergies and it is most effective in tincture form. I use this herb in conjunction with habanero pepper to boost my immune system. Great job with sharing information on one of my favorite herbs of all time.
Aw heck, I just slice up those habaneros & pop them in my veggie burritos lightly sauteed… I admit, I like to eat my herbs. I read your article on cayenne/capsaicin on your site, very informative!
I agree with you about echinacea, and thank you again for both sharing & visiting!
Over 10 years ago I worked for a well-known nutrition store and people laughed at me and my herbs. They just did not understand back then, but today it is great to see so many gettign into herbs! Well, they are not laughing anymore! Herbs are awesome and I am glad I developed a deep interest in them many years ago.
Yummy! Addng habaneros to burritos…I like that idea. I use to put a pinch of habanero in a juice machine and you could have called me Wild Fire Boy!
Oh…and thanks for stopping by my site