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Common Name: Echinacea or Purple Cone Flower 

Botan ical Name: Echinaces angustifolia

Echinacea – Echinacea purpurea

Purple Cone flower

General Information on Echinacea

Echinacea is a plant native to the Americas and there has been used for a long time to ensure good health and prevent fevers. It was also used to treat snake bite and assist in healing of wounds.  

It is now especially used as a remedy for colds and flu.

Preservation of Echinacea

Echinacea is normally preserved in the form of a tincture which is made from the root of Echinacea. The root is also pulverized and dried. Harvest the root after flowering chop up finely and dry. This dried product can be used to produce infusion (tea), it can also be used for the tincture although this is best prepared from the fresh root.

The flower petals and the leaves of Echinacea can also be used to make an infusion (tea)

Growing conditions

Echinacea is a hardy perennial which is a vigorous grower and will grow best in partial shade to full sun conditions. It will grow to between 90 and 120cm tall.

The plants can be divided in early spring and after flowering in Autum

Collect seeds from the flowers as the die off for propagation.

Medicinal Uses of Echinacea

Important! Do not use of herbs for medicinal purposes without consulting your medical doctor. Herbs have medicinal qualities and can react with other medication.

 Used as a prevention and treatment for colds and flu to treat catarrh, fever and sore throat. It acts as an antibiotic, stimulates the immune system and acts as an anti-allergenic.  Echinacea also boosts the lymphatic system and reduces swollen glands.

Echinacea can also be used to treat the following conditions:

Used to give a general boost to the immune system. 

Good for treating viral and fungal infection and Inflamation. 

To treat acne.

To clear abscesses

Ideal for colds, flu, sore throats and bronchitis.

 Helps to clear kidney and bladder infection and cystitis. 

Helps for viral forms of arthritis.

Not really suitable for home use as the roots are ground and used in the form of infusions and tinctures.

Also used to relieve snake bite.

Important! Do not use of herbs for medicinal purposes without consulting your medical doctor. Herbs have medicinal qualities and can react with other medication.

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