Standard Echinacea - (Herb)

The Herb Echinacea Purpurea is actually a native American wildflower known as purple coneflower. This herb was used extensively in early American traditional practice before the advent of synthetic products. Studies have shown Echinacea to be a natural herbal immune booster. 

Echinacea can be ordered here

Echinacea - has developed into one of the most popular herbs of all times. There are 9 species of Echinacea but traditionally only 3 are used medicinally. They are Echinacea Purpurea, Echinacea Angustifolia, and Echinacea Pallida. The E. Purpurea and E. Angustifolia are the two used most often because, although E. Pallida contains immune-stimulating properties, it may break down faster and therefore is not as desirable as the other two types. 

Except for a few patches in Southern Canada, Echinacea only grows wild on the plains of the U.S. which accounts for why Native Americans were the first to use the herb. The various Indian tribes used hundreds of herbs throughout the 17th and 18th Centuries, but they revered Echinacea above all. They had many uses for it including alleviating tooth aches, sore throats, coughs, infections, snake bites and numerous other conditions. Native Americans at that time of coarse, did not have encapsulated Echinacea, so the preferred method of ingestion was to suck on a piece of root all day.
In the early 18th century, when whit settlers began arriving, the American Indians were quite willing to share their medicinal knowledge.
Much work has been done on the components found in Echinacea. some of the compounds isolated are unique to different Echinacea species. There are two general classes of compounds: the water-soluble polysaccharides (large sugar molecules), and the fat-soluble compounds. Researchers feel that these are the components responsible for much of Echinacea's immune potentiating response.*
Most herbalist feel that the best preparations use as little heat as possible for the extraction process. The plants should be processed soon after harvest.
Echinacea Purpurea is the easiest variety to grow and does well in any climate but doesn't prefer hot, dry areas. The roots can be dug in the Fall, after the tops have died back, around the first freeze. Wash and dry them well and store whole for future use.

Advocates take this herb to provide a boost to the immune system particularly during the cold winter months.



*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any diseases.

Bibliography:

Echinacea - The Immune Herb, by Christopher Hobbs, L.Ac., copyright 1990, 2nd edition 1996.

"Echinacea," by Steven Foster, copyright 1996.

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