Botanical Name: Echinacea Angustifolia, Echinacea purpure

Plant Family: Compositae

Common names: Black Sampson, Narrow-leafed purple coneflower, Rudbeckia, Sampson Root, Snakeroot, Sonnenhut

Origin: Resembling a black-eyed Susan, Echinacea or purple coneflower is a North American perennial plant that is indigenous to the central plains where it grows on road banks, prairies, fields and in dry, open woods, from the prairie states northward to Pennsylvania.

History: The name Echinacea comes from the Greek word echinos, 'sea urchin', referring to the prickly scales of the dried seed head.

For over 400 years the Plains Indians used various species of Echinacea to treat:

• infections
• measles
• mumps
• poisonous insect and snake bites
• smallpox
• sore throat
• toothaches
• wounds

and the Sioux Indians used it for:

• a general 'cure-all'
• blood poisoning
• hydrophobia
• snakebites

Echinacea has also been used throughout history to treat:

• diphtheria
• scarlet fever
• syphilis
• malaria

Tradition: In religious ceremonies Echinacea was used:

• as an offering to the spirits or gods and goddesses
• to strengthen a spell or ritual. 

Plant Constituents

Contains:

• alkamides
• betain
• caryophylene
• copper
• esquiterpenes
• essential oil
• fatty acids
• flavonoids
• glycoproteins
• glycosides
• iron
• polyacetylenes
• polysaccharides - the important components stimulating the immune system are the large polysaccharides,which contribute to the herb's immune empowering effects and increases T-cell production and other natural killer cell activity. These include:
• caffeic acid glycoside Echinacoside 
• fat-soluble alkylamides
• inulin 
• protein
• tannins
• vitamins A, C, E
• volatile oils

Roots

The chemicals contained in the root differ considerably from the upper part of the plant. The roots have high concentrations of volatile oils (odorous compounds) while the above-ground parts of the plant tend to contain more polysaccharides (substances known to trigger the activity of the immune system). The beneficial effects of Echinacea appear to be due to the combination of these active substances.

The root of the E. pallida are used to treat:

• influenza-like infections

Above-ground Parts

The above-ground parts of E. purpurea are used to treat:

• colds
• slow-healing wounds
• upper respiratory tract infections
• urinary tract infections

Many Echinacea products may contain one species, a combination of two or all three plant species.

Echinacea prevents the formation of an enzyme called hyaluronidase, which destroys a natural barrier between healthy tissue and damaging organisms.

Usage

Medicinal part used: Rootstock

Echinacea is used internally for:

Bacterial and Viral Conditions

• AIDS
• herpes
• meningitis
• vaginal yeast (candida) infections
• venereal diseases

Blood Conditions

• blood poisoning
• cleansing the blood [one of the best blood purifiers]
• hemorrhoids
• increases the production of white blood cells

Female Conditions

• pelvic infections

Gastrointestinal Conditions

• dispels flatulence 
• fermentative dyspepsia
• improves digestion
• promotes proper digestion

Genitourinary Conditions

• urinary tract infections

Glandular Conditions

• improves the lymph glands
• relieves lymphatic swelling

Immune System Conditions

• boosts the body's immune system by increasing production of infection-fighting T-cells [T-lymphocytes]
• helps build resistance to infections
• helps in nearly all infections
• stimulates a healthy immune system to ward off viruses
• supports and stabilizes cellular immunity

Combined with Golden Seal, Echinacea is effective against: 

• allergies
• relieving the symptoms of hay fever (also called allergic rhinitis)
• immune system disorders by increasing the process by which white blood cells destroy bad microorganisms
• Candida (an annoying and persistent fungal infection)
• staphylococcus and streptococcus infections

Inflammatory Conditions

• reduces inflammation
• relieves arthritis

Respiratory Tract Infections

• bronchitis
• sore throats
• tonsillitis
• helps build resistance to colds and influenza
• reduces the severity of symptoms of influenza (flu) such as runny nose, fever and sore throat (pharyngitis) and reduces the duration of the illness
• reduces the symptoms and duration of the common cold and alleviates the associated symptoms
• sinusitis
• tuberculosis
• upper respiratory infections
• whooping cough

Other

• aids in the production of interferon
• cancers and tumors
• ear infections (also known as otitits media)
• fevers
• relieves pain
• skin cancers
• ulcers
• toothaches

Echinacea is used in homoeopathy treatments for:

• chronic fatigue syndrome
• indigestion
• gastro-enteritis
• weight loss

Echinacea's antibacterial and depurative properties:

• can stimulate wound healing

and is beneficial internally and externally in skin conditions such as:

• abscesses of teeth and glands
• acne
• athlete's foot
• boils
• burns
• carbuncles
• eczema
• gangrene
• insect bites
• psoriasis
• slow-healing wounds
• ulcers

Action:  

• alterative [an agent capable of favorably altering or changing unhealthy conditions of the body and tending to
• restore normal bodily function, usually by improving nutrition]
• antibacterial [an agent that destroys bacteria; bactericide]
• antibiotic [an agent that destroys or stops the growth of micro-organisms]
• anti-microbial [an agent that destroys microbes]
• antioxidant [contributing to the oxidation of free radicals which are believed to contribute to premature aging and dementia]
• antiseptic [agent for destroying or inhibiting pathogenic or putrefactive bacteria] particularly for the Lymphatic System
• antiviral [an agent that destroys viruses]
• hormonal effect

Topical application of Echinacea has been shown to: 

• decrease inflammation
• promote tissue regeneration

Precautions

Caution: 

Echinacea should only be used under the guidance of a professional, such as a naturopathic doctor, herbalist or other health practitioners if you:

• have an auto-immune disorder
• use any other immune stimulant herb