Echinacea purpurea
Asteraceae
Form
-native to Eastern North America, grows 2-5 feet in height
Culture
-rich, deep, well drained, neutral to alkaline soil
-drought tolerant, sandy soil preferred
-full sun to part shade
Foliage
-hairy, ovate-lanceolate leaves
Use
-good for cutting and perennial borders
Medicinal Uses:
-accelerates wound healing, promotes immune effects internally, and can cause an increase white blood cell and spleen cell counts
-causes an activation of the capacity for phagocytosis by human granulocytes
- immune functions include elevating body temperature, reproduction of T-helper cells, and the production of cytokines.
Conditions Treated in Modern Medicine:
-Common cold
-Cough or Bronchitis
-Fevers and Colds
-Inflammation of Mouth and Pharynx
-Wounds and Burns
-Urinary Tract Infections
Pharmacological Substances and Properties:
-Flavinoids
-Volatile Oil
-Water-soluble immunostimulating polysacharides including 4-O-methylglucuronylarabinoxylans and arabinorhamnogalactans
-Caffeic and ferulic acid derivatives
-Alkamides
Medicinal Parts Used:
-the ground roots and leaves can be taken as an infusion internally, as can the pressed juice of the stem
Banner Photo by Mathew J. Wilson