Featured Herb: Echinacea

Echinacea has become one of the world's most popular herbs. Echinacea is also the herb that introduced me to the healing energy of herbs. Back before it became popular I set out to learn about this beautiful wildflower that grows in unique glade environments in these Ozark hills. After I gained an appreciation for the plant, I acted on an old Ozark and Native American folk use and dug a root when I had a bad case of tonsillitis. I chewed on the fresh root and let the sweet/pungent juice trickle down my throat. It seemed that it immediately cured my sore throat. Not only that, but I felt a surge of energy that seemed to dissolve my fatigue and "yucky" aches. I was cured! Since then I've found that the first ingestion of a fresh plant can have amazing effects. It's as if the plant shows us what it is capable of.
The pioneers and Indians highly valued the Purple Coneflower or Echinacea. The Eclectic doctors of the 19th century tested it and valued it highly for infections and septic conditions. Now even some doctors have begun to recommend it to patients in order to avoid over-prescribing antibiotics.
There are a number of species of the plant, and even a yellow-flowered variety. All species are equally effective. The Angustifolia species is thought by some to be more potent, but the idea is mostly due to the fact that it has more of the chemical that produces tingling on the tongue. Otherwise the Purpurea species has been shown to be equally effective in tests. Echinacea is often adulterated with Missouri Snake Root, which looks similar when ground. Know your source!
At Teeter Creek Herbs we grow Echinacea Purpurea, as it is the fastest growing and most adaptable of the species. Echinacea species are beautiful in the garden. The Purpurea can be easily propagated by dividing roots. Others are usually started from seed. While the different plant parts have different chemistry, the root is generally the most potent medicinally followed by the seed, flower, and lastly leaves (forget the stems, although these are often ground up with the rest). A fresh or recently dried product is definitely more potent in effects.
Echinacea is an immune system stimulant; stimulating the body's cellular defenses. Traditional herbalism also grants Echinacea blood-purifying properties; a term that denotes it's ability to de-toxify and be a restorative to many of the body's functions.
Echinacea has anti-viral, anti-bacterial, and anti-fungal properties. Best taken at first sign of infection (the body's defenses are easier to rally before infection takes a good hold). Especially suited to upper respiratory infections. Lung, sinus and throat infections. Common cold. Influenza. Bronchitis. Tonsillitis, strep throat (use as gargle as well). Candida and other fungal infections. Ear infection. Tooth and other abscesses. Pyorrhea. Urinary tract infection. Prostatitis. Herpes infections, cold sores. Phlebitis. Mastitis. General cancer remedy (especially. of mucous surfaces).
Echinacea stimulates the lymph glands and has other blood-purifying properties. Lymph congestion and swelling. Chronic boils. Counteracts poisons: blood poisoning, insect, snake and spider bites. Eczema, proriasis and other skin problems with toxic congestion. Septic conditions in general.
Echinacea also stimulates the healing of wounds (internally and externally). Burns, skin inflammations. Slow healing wounds and ulcers. Gangrene and other septic conditions.
One of the most common questions in regard to Echinacea is in regard to how long it should be taken. Should it be used indefinitely to keep up a strong immune system? In my view it is good to keep in mind Echinacea's role as an immune stimulant, when the immune system needs a boost. It does not build immune reserves in the way Astragalus, Shiitake and Maitake can. These would be better choices for long term immune building. While tests have shown that Echinacea will keep the immune system "stimulated" over a long period of time, such stimulation may more wisely be used when needed. There are some who claim immune-balancing properties for Echinacea, and even recommend it in auto-immune disorders. My own experience has shown that those with auto-immune disorders can benefit from Echinacea. I believe it does have such a wide range of activity it can be of benefit in different ways for these folks. Some say it can, and in a few cases has, temporarily aggravated such problems.
My personal indication for when to use Echinacea is the general fatigue and sudden run-down feeling I get just before I'm usually about to catch something. In other words, use it when you first start feeling a little "puny". Do a good dose. Or when you know you've been exposed to something; or in a toxic environment when you haven't had enough sleep. Do a good dose.
On the other hand, for something like chronic boils or skin ulcers, it can be used over months if needed, with breaks taken; say two weeks on and three days off. Listen to your body.
For acute infections larger, frequent doses are taken; the sooner the better. Often those who have not had success using Echinacea are using too little, or a weak product. Echinacea is a very non-toxic herb; though in very high doses could cause unpleasant temporary reactions. Keeping in mind its pungent, stimulating nature, those who are very weak or sensitive may want to start smaller,
Echinacea is the first herb I discovered and one that can still amaze me with it's effects.