Purple Coneflower

Eastern Deciduous Forest, Tall Grass Prairie

Purple Coneflower  

Echinacea purpurea

http://www.gardeningknowhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/purple-coneflower-400x284.jpg

Habitat: open woods, thickets, cultivated in gardens, prairies and glades

Seasons: June-September


Active Chemical Ingredient:

Echinacea contains alkylamides (major component), which act like a powerful natural shield, while improving blood circulation. It also contains phenolic compounds and complex polysaccharides, as well as indolizidine alkaloids, long-chian fatty acids, and a very specific essential oil. It's a medicinal plant extremely rich in natural antibiotics. 
Several active constituents are discussed: polysaccharides, glycoproteins, caffeic acid derivatives (cichoric acid) and alkamides.

 http://www.phytochemicals.info/pictures/phytochemicals/chicoric-acid.gif

C₂₂H₁₈O₁₂

 *Makes immune system efficient in attacking intruders
*Promotes phagocytosis, white blood cells attack and destroy pathogens 
*Stimulate T-cell activiation
*Stimulates healing of wounds
*Reduces inflammation
*Increases production of interferon, immunogloblin and other chemicals important for immune system
* inhibit the penetration of viruses in cells
*Acts as an antioxidant by preventing the oxidation of collagen and cells.

• The inhibitory properties of the alkamides on arachidonic acid metabolism are in accordance with the traditional use of the herbal drugs in the therapy of inflammatory disease
• Cichoric acid has been shown to possess phagocytosis stimulatory activity  
• echinacoside has antibacterial and antiviral activity

Parts Used: roots and leaves, stems and flowers (less potent)

Use of Specimen:

• Pain Reliever
• Anti-inflammatory
• Treatment for toothaches
• Treatment for cough, colds, and sore throats (Decoction of root, gargle with 50ml 3 times a day or drink echinacea tea to soothe sinuses and throat)
• Treatment of snakebites (rattlesnake) (chewed root mixed with echinacea apply to bite mix with clay and water (the clay with draw out toxins and the echinacea will boost immune system allowing body to fight of poison), or in tea)
• Used to treat infection and wounds (Tincture of root take 1/2 tsp in water 3 times a day)
• Treatment of skin (biols, abscesses, skin wounds, ulcers, burns, bee stings)
• Treatment of Malaria as a tea, extract, or juice
• Treatment of colds, insect/flea bites, spider bites, toothaches, skin wounds, burns, boils, infection (bacterial and viral) as a tincture, chewed root, or root tea
• Treatment of hard to heal wounds and sores (root chewed, or in tea)
• Promotes healing of injuries (externally)
• Treats Lime Disease
• Used topically for wounds and burns

*It should be taken frequently, every hour or two during acute stages of inflammation then tapering off as symptoms improve.

Procedures:

Do not use the root once it has lost its odor. 

Decoction: use 1 tsp. root with 1 cup boiling water. Steep for 1/2 hour. Take 1 tbsp. 3 to 6 times a day.
Tincture: take 15 to 30 drops in water every 1 to 3 hours, as needed.
These vary with the condition under treatment. For instance, strep throat needs to be treated with a gargle, snakebite is treated by chewing the leaves and roots by the patient and applying to pulp to the snakebite area after the venom is sucked out and it is bleeding freely. Preparations vary, dosages vary. Commercial compounds vary. The most common compound seems to be a combination with Myrrh to make a tincture. Also capsules are available. In severe cases, two capsules four times a day or 10 to 25 drops (gtts) of the tincture every 2 hours in water. Although, this can vary from 10-25 to 10-30 drops.

Resources:  

• Chicoric acid. (n.d.). Retrieved September 6, 2015, from http://www.phytochemicals.info/phytochemicals/chicoric-acid.php

• Echinacea. (n.d.). Retrieved September 6, 2015, from http://en.mr-ginseng.com/echinacea/

• Echinacea - Medicinal Herb Info. (n.d.). Retrieved August 23, 2015, from http://medicinalherbinfo.org/herbs/Echinacea.html

• Foster, S., & Duke, J. (2014). A field guide to medicinal plants and herbs of eastern and central North America (3rd ed.). Boston: Houghton Mifflin.