ECHINACEA PURPUREA | ECHINACEA ANGUSTIFOLIA

ECHINACEA

IMMUNOSTIMULANT HERBAL | ANTIVIRAL | ANTISEPTIC

ECHINACEA ( Echinacea purpurea Moensch, Echinacea angustifolia (DC) Heller, Echinacea pallida (Nutt) Britt.)

Echinacea has common name: Purple coneflower, Black sampson.

Part used in medicinally is rhizome, Root or above ground part of plant during the flowering growth phase.

It was introduced into US medical practice to treat from colds to syphilis.
Several constituent in Echinacea supports the immune system, increase production and activity of white blood cells (lymphocytes and macrophages). Echinacea also increase production of interferon, an important part of the body’s response to viral infection such as colds and flu.
Echinacea has antiseptic, antiviral and immunostimulant properties

There are major groups of constituents responsible are alkylamides (echinacein), caffeic acid derivatives (echinacoside), polysaccarides(inulin, echinacin, sugars) and polyacetylenes. Other constituents are carotenoid, fatty acids, resin and volatile oil.

Dose recommended to use Echinacea : 1 gram dried root/rhizome or by infusion or decoction three times daily. Liquid extract (1:1 in 45% alcohol) 0,25 – 1 ml three times daily. Tincture (1:5 in 45 % alcohol) 1-2 ml three times daily.

Echinacea is nontoxic when taken orally, but the people have an autoimmune illness such as lupus and other progressive diseases such as tuberculosis, HIV infection and multiple sclerosis shouldn’t take achinacea.

More info about Echinacea can be read in Herbal Medicines by Carol A Newall etc. and The Natural Pharmacy by Schuyler W Lininger, etc.