Herb Series: Echinacea

3/3/2017

Echinacea angustifolia (commonly known as Purple coneflower)
Family: Compositae (Daisy)
Parts Used: Entire plant but the root is the most potent

Echinacea is a must have herb around here, at the onset of any illness or infection I start administering echinacea immediately and very often - like every hour. I love using this herb because it is so gentle so I can use it on my little ones, yet super powerful so it can give any invader the boot.

Herbal Actions and Properties

alterative
antibacterial
antiseptic
antifungal
anti-microbial
anti-viral
anti-catarrhal
diaphoretic
sialagogue

Herbal Property definition

Medicinal Uses

Echinacea has a special property of not only stimulating the immune system but fortifying and protecting cells against foreign invaders such as viruses and bacteria. Because of this property it can be used for any type of illness or infection in the body. Here are just a few of the most common ailments echinacea has been used to treat:

any type of inflammation
any type of infection
bronchial and respiratory infections
sinus and nasal infections
sore throat and oral infections
ear infection
cold sores
bacterial and viral attacks
meningitis
insect and snake bites (take internally as well as topically to area affected)
blood poisoning and gangrene
yeast infections
bladder infection
skin diseases
cold, flu and fever
boils, sores, and abscesses
cuts, wounds, and burns (increases cell activity that form new tissue)
mastitis and breast infection
vaccination reaction
fungal infections such as athletes foot and ringworm
can increase white bloods cells in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy or radiation which helps with immune system support

Methods of Use

When treating external conditions take both internally and then apply externally as well.

Tincture
Infusion or decoction (tea)
Powder
Capsules
Compress/fomentation/poultice
Mouthwash and gargle

how to prepare herbs

In the Garden

You can purchase echinacea in your local nursery in the spring. It is in the perennial section under the name purple coneflower, just make sure you check the latin name to be Echinacea angustifolia. You can also start from seed. The most common Echinacea is E. purpurea, this species can also be used, it is just not as potent as the angustifolia species.

plant in full sun, after the last frost
should do well in any soil conditions

Harvesting the entire plant (at least 3 years old):

Leaves - In late spring
When buds first begin to ripen, gather about 1/3 of the plant and dry
When the flowers bloom gather several more blossoms, still leaving some remaining
Roots - In the fall when the plant dies back, its best to harvest a plant when 2-3 years old. Dig up plant, cut off top, scrub roots and chop to dry or use immediately.

Usage/Dosage

Echinacea can be taken as a tea, tincture or capsule. I prefer to use it as a glycerite. The key to having the best results using it is taking it at the very first sign of illness and taking it often for a short period of time. As I mentioned above, I administer it every hour (that you are awake) for a 24 hour period and then I evaluate and see if more is needed at which point I may lesson the duration of time to 3 times a day. I never go beyond a week just because the body has taken care of the problem by then. I almost always use echinacea in addition to other herbs specific to the ailment/coniditon I am treating.

Here are the dosage amounts I use, which can be adjusted per person and conditon. Sometimes I feel I need to give it every half hour or maybe every two hours...you can read your body (or children's body) quite easily during an illness to see what will work best for you.

Tea - one cup of tea, 3-5 times a day (adult)
one cup of tea, 2-3 times a day (children)

Tincture/glycerite - 1-2 dropperfuls every hour (children)
2-3 dropperfuls every hour (adult)

Capsules - 2-3 capsules every hour

printable for herbal

Where can I purchase Echinacea

You can grow your own echinacea starting from plant (at your local nursery) or seed (can be purchased from Mountain Rose Herbs or Baker Creek Seeds) or purchase high quality, organic and sustainably grown herb from Mountain Rose Herbs or Bulk Herb Store. The herb comes in root form since that is where it is the most potent. It comes in powder, chopped or if purchasing from Mountain Rose Herbs you can get it already tinctured either the entire plant (root, leaf, flower, seed) or just the root or in capsues. You could get it at your local healthfood store but I haven't been impressed with the quality of herbs at mine so I don't like to purchase them there.