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Botanical Names
Echinacea purpurea, Echinacea angustifolia, Echinacea pallida
Common Names
Purple coneflower
Parts Used & Where Grown
Echinacea is a wildflower native to North America. While echinacea continues to grow and is harvested from the wild, the majority used for herbal supplements comes from cultivated plants. The root and/or the above-ground part of the plant during the flowering growth phase are used in herbal medicine.
Clinical Effectives
Common cold/sore throat (for symptoms; effective for adults only)
Gingivitis (periodontal disease) (as mouthwash, in combination with sage, peppermint oil, menthol, chamomile tincture, myrrh tincture, clove oil, and caraway oil)
Immune function
Infection
Influenza
Traditional Use
Echinacea was used by Native Americans for a variety of conditions, including venomous bites and other external wounds. It was introduced into U.S. medical practice in 1887 and was touted for use in conditions ranging from colds to syphilis. Modern research started in the 1930s in Germany.