Echinacea

E. Augustifolioa

E. Pallida

This would be an herb that Angelika had never heard of, as it was discovered in the "New World."  The Native Americans used it for a variety of things:  the Lakota tribes used Echinacea for snake bites, sepsis and rabies; the Blackfeet used it for toothache; the Chocktaw, for coughs; the Delaware, for venereal disease; the Comanche, for sore throats; the Cheyenne, for rheumatism and colds; and the Dakota, for eye infections. 

As many of you know, Echinacea is now used primarily as an herbal antibiotic (or as I’d rather refer to it, anti-microbial), which works specifically to clear out and make the lymphatic system do it's job better. Scientists have been fascinated with Echinacea’s unique properties allowing the lymphatic system to perform its function in the immune system better, rather than attacking whatever microbes have caused the illness. Echinacea root increases the production of T-cells, strengthening tissues during assault from a broad spectrum of viruses, bacteria and fungi.

E. Purpurea

A 1990's study has shown rather interesting results regarding Echinacea. In double blind tests, scientists in Germany concluded that both the pressed juice of E. Purpurea (right) and the tincture form of E. Pallida (above right), when taken at the beginning of a cold or the flu, shortened the duration of the illness and minimized their symptoms by almost a third. They did not test the effectiveness of the most commonly used form of Echinacea, E. Augustifolia in affecting the duration of symptoms, but it is believed that it will be just as effective. However, tincture of E. Purpurea and E. Augustifolia, when used to try to prevent colds and flu was statistically ineffective. What this shows is that taking Echinacea as part of your regular regimen in order to prevent catching a cold or the flu will not work. However, if, at the beginning of any symptoms, you begin to take the herb, it will improve your chances of dramatically reducing the duration and symptomology of colds and flu.

In 1972 and 1978, studies were performed showing that Echinacea was responsible for inhibiting tumor growth in rats (Journal of the Medical Chemistry, 1972) and destroyed both the Herpes Virus, better known as a common cold sore, and influenza viruses. (Planta Medica, 1978) Echinacea is again part of the daisy family (I do seem to like that family), having beautiful purple petals and a cone of yellow or white in the middle. From its appearance comes one of its common names, Purple Coneflower, along with Red Sunflower, Sampson Root and Black Sampson.

Because Echinacea is a protected plant, on the edge of extinction in the wild, it is forbidden to gather them in the wild. Make sure that you obtain a good product from a qualified herbalist or herbal source who grows them in hothouses. One way to test the effectiveness of the Echinacea you have obtained is when using the tincture or preparing a tea, put a small amount in your mouth. It should tingle slightly at first, showing Echinacea’s mild anesthetic effect, and making a good gargle for a sore throat.

There have been only a few precautions regarding Echinacea as a result of the recent scientific studies. This herb should be used only when needed, and not as part of the daily regimen. Doing so will render the benefits of Echinacea ineffective. Related to the production of T-cells and boost to the immune system that Echinacea provides, those people with auto-immune disorders in which the immune system, itself, attacks the body (lupus, tuberculosis, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, etc.) should NOT take the herb, as it will cause an increase in those symptoms. Because of the properties of this herb, scientists are studying the effectiveness in cases of HIV and AIDS. No conclusive determinations have been made available as yet. Finally, those people allergic to daisies should probably stay away from it as well.