Echinacea

Echinacea is the genus of nine coneflower species in the daisy Asteraceae family. It grows in the open dry plains and woodlands of the American continent. They mostly grow from taproots, up to four feet high, with a single long stem topped in a big flower. Two of the nine species are endangered, and it’s advised to avoid any echinacea products labeled ‘wildcrafted’. The whimsy of popular culture has captured this plant for its potent medicine and seriously dwindled it’s wildish nature. Perhaps whenever we can reintroduce this plant to the wild that could be a good thing.  

It takes two years to flower, and needs little care once established. Seeds need cold damp stratification and light to break dormancy. All of the plant can be used medicinally, but the root is the most potent part. The root is best harvested after three-four years of established growth and in the fall or after dormant for the winter. The leaves stems and flowers are best harvested in midsummer, and not too much should be harvested (perhaps not more than a third at most) so that the plant has enough mass to continue supporting its life. The mature roots can be up to 3 pounds!

Echinacea has an interesting complex structure of constituents that work synergistically to boost the immune system. I remember reading a description of its constituents being ‘multidirectional’ in their approach to healing. This is relevant mostly just because the acid constituents are derived through alcohol and conversely the polysaccharide constituents are water-soluble and are actually destroyed by alcohol. Essentially, the herb can be expected to have a potent effect regardless of method of preparation.

This common cold fighter is an immunostimulant with antimicrobial properties used for bacterial or viral infections. Different species have different chemical constituents that include volatile oils, glycoside, echinaceine, cichoric acid, caftaric acid, alkylamides, and phenolics. It stimulates antibodies in the blood, and stimulates lymph to eliminate body’s waste. It is an alterative, anti-catarrhal (treats congestion and inflammation of the mucous membrane) and tonic.

The tincture or a decoction can be used as a mouthwash to treat gingivitis or pyorrhea (inflammation of the gums, with pus and bleeding). Combined with Yarrow or Bearberry, this plant can treat cystitis. It’s immune stimulating benefits during the cold season are best put to use at the first onset of an infection, but once and bacteria or virus has gained any foothold in the body, echinacea is not really useful anymore and the treatment should switch to another herb like goldenseal – which is probably why echinacea preparations often are paired with goldenseal.