Synonyms: Common Echinacea, Common Purple Coneflower, Kansas Snakeroot, Purple Coneflower
Family: Asteraceae or Compositae
Genus species: Echinacea purpurea
Type: Perennial herb
Part Used: Underground parts and/or leaves (leaves have similar actions to roots)
Location: central U.S., southwestern U.S.
Actions: Antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antispasmodic, antitumor, antiviral, bacteriostatic, demulcent, depurative, diaphoretic, fungistatic, interferon-like activity, lymphatic alterative, peripheral vasodilator, powerful immunostimulant (stimulates the production of phagocytes), prophylaxis of common cold and influenza, sialagogue, skin alterative, vulnerary
Indications: Abscess, acne, adrenal disorders, asthma, bacterial infection, bedsore, blood dyscrasia, boil, bronchitis, burns, cancer, candidiasis, carbuncle, cervicitis, chlamydia, chronic fatigue syndrome, chronic viral infections, cirrhosis, cold sore, colic, Crohn's disease, croup, cystic fibrosis, dog bite, eczema, encephalomyocarditis, endometritis, fever, fibrocystic disease of the breast, fibrositis, furunculosis, gastritis, headache, herpes simplex, laryngitis, lymphadenitis, mild septicemia, mononucleosis, myalgic encephalomyelitis, nasopharyngeal catarrh, peritonitis, pharyngitis, poliovirus, polyarthritis, prophylaxis and treatment of mild to moderately severe common cold, influenza, septic processes, prostatitis, psoriasis, pyorrhea, rabies, septicemia, shigellosis, skin disorders, snakebite, stomatitis, syphilis, teething, tendonitis, tonsillitis, ulcus cruris (indolent leg ulcers), urticaria, uterine inflammation, vaginitis, vesicular stomatitis
Chemicals & Nutrients: Root: Aluminum, Calcium, Chromium, Cobalt, Copper, Fats, Fatty Acids, Fiber, Fructose, Galactose, Inulin (13%), Iodine, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Polysaccharides, Potassium, Protein, Silicon, Sucrose, Sulfur, Vitamin C, Leaves: Bioflavonoids (0.5%), Vitamin C (0.2%)
Preparation & Dosages: (3x/day)
Dried root and rhizome: dose 1-2 g or by infusion or decoction
Liquid extract: 1:1 in 45% alcohol, dose 0.25-1 ml
Tincture: 1:5 in 45% alcohol, dose 1-2 ml
Contraindications: Pregnancy, lactation, in principle not to be used in progressive conditions, e.g. tuberculosis, leukoses, collagenosis, multiple sclerosis, AIDS, HIV infection and other auto-immune disorders.
Drug Interactions: Immunosuppressive drugs.
Safety: Safe when used appropriately.
Side Effects: (Possible adverse effects and/or overdose effects) Large doses may cause nausea and dizziness. Polysaccharides may cause contact dermatitis and allergic reactions. May cause immunosuppression after 6-8 weeks of continuous use.
Warning: Limit duration of use to eight weeks. Alcohol tinctures may destroy immunostimulant polysaccharides.