Echinacea - Stimulating the immune system!

Echinacea is commonly called coneflower.  Known as the “King of the Blood Purifiers”, Echinacea improves lymphatic drainage, removes toxins from the blood, fights inflammation, and has a special affinity to the mucous membranes.  Echinacea kills bacteria, virus, fungi, and protozoa.  Because it prevents infection, Echinacea is considered beneficial during pregnancy.

 

Echinacea helps fight infection by stimulating the immune system.  When cells are under attack by disease micro-organisms they secrete chemicals that attract fighting white blood cells, called macrophages, to the area.  These macrophages, literally meaning “big eaters”, engulf and consume the invaders.  Echinacea energizes and boosts the ability of white blood cells.

Echinacoside, an antibiotic, is in Echinacea angustofolia, but not in Echinacea purpurea…making the white coneflower stronger in medicinal action than the purple coneflower. Native to the American Great Plains it is said to have been used by the native tribes for more ailments than any other plant. Dr. Meyer’s Blood Purifier (1870) made Echinacea famous by claims to cure snake bite…hence the nickname, “snake oil salesman”.  During the 1900’s almost every home medicine chest contained Echinacea tincture…decline in its use came with the discovery of antibiotics.

 

Echinacea may be grown from seed.  The first year plant has a small rosette of leaves, but usually no flower.  The second year it grows to 2 ft. and blooms.  The third year it grows even taller.  As a perennial, it will return year after year, and will multiply by dropping seeds.  Harvest the root for medicine when it is 2-3 years old.  Wash the roots well, chop them with a very sharp knife, perhaps run them through an old-fashioned meat grinder, and lay them on a screen to dry.

Echinacea has the unique quality of slightly numbing the tongue…taste your dried root or tincture to see if it is good quality.