Echinacea Purpurea (also known as Purple coneflower)

Composition & Character

Description: Echinacea is a tall stem perennial with single distinct pink or purple flowers and has a central cone that is usually purple or brown. The oversized cone is a seed head with sharp spines resembling a stiff comb.

Properties & Actions: Antioxidant, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antiseptic, astringent, immunomodulator, and anti-ageing.

Nutritional value: Vitamin C, vitamin D, beta-carotene, zinc, calcium, phosphorous, magnesium, and potassium.

Phytochemical compounds: Polysaccharides called heteroxylan & arabinogalactan, glycoproteins, phenols, alkamides, volatile oils, flavonoids, caffeic acid derived from echinacoside, cynarin & chicoric acid. The roots have high concentrations of volatile oils (essential oils). We believe the combination of both is the most effective.

Health Benefits

Echinacea is high in antioxidants that fight free radicals. It improves oxygen levels in the blood and boosts immune function. It relieves coughs, colds & flu and supports the health of the upper respiratory tract. Echinacea fights infections, soothes inflammation, and is a mild pain reliever. It protects gums from inflammation and prevents bad breath. It alleviates urinary tract infections and has mild laxative properties. Echinacea supports cognitive and mental health. It treats diabetes by regulating blood sugar levels and prevents anxiety, with anti-ageing and anti-cancer properties.

Skin – Echinacea clear eczema, psoriasis, acne, blackheads, and whiteheads. It soothes bug bites, itchiness, and skin irritations and calms inflammation. Promotes skin cell renewal & growth. It protects the skin from oxidative stress, the abuse of harsh elements & premature ageing caused by the sun. Its anti-ageing properties add skin hydration, decrease the depth of wrinkles, smooth fine lines, and reduce age spots. Echinacea keeps the skin’s outer layer strong preventing moisture from escaping.

Hair – Echinacea encourages hair growth & prevents early onset hair loss. It has anti-dandruff properties, reduces scalp irritation and fights bacteria that cause inflammation.

High in antioxidants

Antioxidants like Cichoric acid & rosmarinic acid defend your body from oxidative stress. Alkamides in Echinacea renew worn-out antioxidants and help them reach molecules prone to oxidative stress.

Immune System

A powerful immune booster. Echinacea improves immunity by combating infections and viruses, which could help you recover faster from illness. Echinacea contains phytochemicals that help your body create white blood cells that protect your body from disease. Echinacea stimulates the function of various immune cells, particularly natural killer cells. Echinacea stimulates macrophages and other cells of the innate immune system, causing them to become activated and release cytokines. Echinacea also increases phagocytic activity and the uptake of foreign particles.

Respiratory System

Support the upper respiratory system. Especially sinusitis and hay fever (allergic rhinitis). The immune-boosting and anti-inflammatory effect of Echinacea can improve upper respiratory infections. It reduces the risk of respiratory diseases and complications associated with these infections. It includes whooping cough, tuberculosis, strep throat, gingivitis, inflammation, croup, common cold, diphtheria, acute sinusitis, and influenza.

Shorten the period of the common cold – Echinacea reduces the chances of catching a common cold. It also reduces the duration of a viral cold. Taking Echinacea as soon as you feel sick minimises the severity of the cold, and you’ll have fewer symptoms.

Infections & Inflammation

Soothes inflammation The anti-inflammatory properties of Echinacea alleviate inflammation. Inflammation is your body’s natural way of promoting healing and defending itself. Sometimes inflammation can get out of hand and last for longer than necessary and expected. This may raise your risk of chronic diseases and other health problems. Uncontrolled inflammation can be deadly and is the leading cause of illness worldwide. Echinacea slows down and stops various forms of inflammation, chronic pain, and swelling. Echinacea contains compounds that help reduce inflammatory markers and memory loss caused by inflammation; it significantly reduces inflammation, chronic pain, and swelling caused by osteoarthritis. Interesting Fact – People who did not respond well to conventional non-steroidal inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) found the supplement containing echinacea extract helpful

Fight infection – Echinacea has antiviral properties and increases white blood cells in the area of infections. It fights ear infections, vaginal yeast infections, athlete’s foot, typhoid, syphilis, malaria, bloodstream infections, genital herpes, and oral health. It has an antiviral effect on cold sores triggered by the herpes simplex virus when taken before infection.

Brain & Cognition

Alleviate anxiety & boost mental health. A low dosage of 20mg can support mental health. It may bring relief to ADD and ADHD, social phobias, depression, and anxiety. Echinacea contains compounds (alkamides, rosmarinic acid, and caffeic acid) that reduce feelings of anxiety. Its anti-anxiety properties help regulate the synapses that aid communication between your body & brain. It cannot turn off the fear reflex. It can limit the physical effects of your fears and help you feel calmer.

Pain relief

Echinacea is effective in treating pain conditions such as toothache, tonsillitis, stomach aches, sore throat, snake bite, pain from measles, gonorrhoea, herpes, headaches, and pain in the bowel. Echinacea sets off a cell secretion called a cytokine, which is responsible for reducing inflammation, and in turn, helps reduce muscle pain.

Digestive System

Mild laxative for constipation. Echinacea is excellent for the stomach and overall gut health. Echinacea acts as a gut calming agent. It is helpful to treat mild to moderate constipation.

Support oral health

Echinacea has been combined with other herbs like Sage, Parsley, and Lavender to reduce bad breath. It’s believed this effect is partly due to Echinacea’s ability to neutralise the harmful organisms that cause bad breath.

Urinary System

Echinacea’s antiseptic, antiviral, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties make it helpful in fighting urinary tract infections, including vaginal yeast (candida) infections.

Lower blood sugar levels

Echinacea extract contains compounds that suppress enzymes that digest carbohydrates. This reduces the amount of consumed sugar entering the blood. Echinacea extract makes cells more sensitive to the effect of insulin by activating the PPAR-y receptor, a common target of diabetes drugs.

Anti-ageing

Support normal ageing. Studies suggest that Echinacea could offer anti-ageing potential. In one study, supplemental Echinacea was attributed to helping extend the lifespan of ageing mice.

Blood Oxygen Levels

Assist in improving oxygen levels in the blood. Echinacea increases erythropoietin production in the bone marrow. This, in turn, promotes red blood cell production and increases the capacity of the blood to transport oxygen.

Fights cancer

The phytochemicals in Echinacea are valuable tools in combatting tumours. Cancer is a disease that involves the uncontrolled growth of cells. Echinacea extract may suppress cancer cell growth and even trigger cancer cell death. It is used to kill human cancer cells from the pancreas and colon by stimulating a process called apoptosis or controlled cell death.

Skin – Therapeutic

Alleviate Acne & prevent breakouts – Its antimicrobial & anti-inflammatory properties are excellent for treating acne & similar inflammatory skin conditions. It is also great for treating blackheads and whiteheads.

Fight skin infections & calm inflammation – It soothes skin irritation and prevents the spread of acne-causing bacteria, including, Propionibacterium acnes.

Alleviate eczema & psoriasis – It alleviates cutaneous (skin-related) symptoms and improves the epidermal lipid barrier in atopic dermatitis patients.

Soothe bug bites, itchiness, and irritated skin – Promote wound healing & reduce scars on the skin. It speeds up the formation of new skin cells while eliminating bacteria and toxins.

Skin – Beauty

Oxidative Stress – Contain beneficial constituents that protect the skin from oxidative stress.

Calms, hydrates & comforts sensitive skin.

Anti-ageing – It has anti-ageing properties that add skin hydration and decrease the depth of wrinkles.

It nourishes the skin from the outside and inside – It boosts your skin’s moisturising properties by increasing epidermal lipids, ceramides, and cholesterol levels. It keeps your skin’s outer layer strong, meaning less moisture can escape over time.

Shrink pores, reduce age spots & smooth fine lines – Echinacea has astringent properties that help shrink pores and reduce age spots. Caftaric acid in Echinacea flowers acts as collagen. It is smooth in fine lines and wrinkles.

Protect against harsh elements – Protect the skin against the abuse of harsh elements & premature ageing caused by the sun. Flavonoids like cichoric acid and rosmarinic acid add protective properties. High cichoric acid in the roots displays high antioxidant properties that can help mitigate the effect of photo-ageing (The sun prematurely ages the skin).

Hair

Encourage hair growth by stimulating the stem cells associated with each hair follicle. Promote hair growth by increasing the blood circulation to the scalp, supplying the vitamins, minerals & nutrients that strengthen the hair follicles and help prevent early-onset hair loss. Anti-dandruff – Echinacea’s antimicrobial properties help calm the scalp by hydrating it, reducing scalp irritation and killing the bacteria causing inflammation.

How to use echinacea

Parts used: Root, leaves & twigs.

Tea

(Twigs & leaves): Use the leaves & twigs as tea. Place 1 tsp into 500ml boiling water. Let it steep for 15 to 20 minutes. Squeeze in the fresh juice of a lemon and add honey according to your taste. Add Echinacea tea to water for a deeper cleansing rinse or face wash.

Decoction

(Root): Place two teaspoons of root in 500ml water. Bring to a boil. Simmer for 15 minutes. Drink 250ml one to three times per day. Or drink 500ml during the day.

Decoction

(Powdered root): Place half to one tsp of the powder in 500ml water. Bring to a boil. Simmer for 15min. Drink 250ml one to three times per day.

Powder

(Power shot): Place half a teaspoon powder in a small glass. Slowly add +- 50ml (a shot) water or juice to the powder while stirring. Take a shot one to three times per day. You can also add the powder to a smoothie or yoghurt.

Tincture

1 to 2ml three times per day. Dropper bottle: 10 to 30 drops three x per day. Spray bottle: 3 to 5 squirts three times per day.

Glycerite

1tsp 3 x per day Dropper: 30 to 60 drops three x per day.

Oxymels

1 to 2ml three x per day. Dropper: 20 to 40 drops three x per day.

Infused oil

Infusing Echinacea leaves in Grapeseed oil is excellent for all skin conditions. An infusion of Echinacea in coconut oil adds to its anti-inflammatory properties & is ideal for mature skin. Use the infused oil directly on the skin, or blend 20% with a botanical oil of your choice or 10% with a neutral aqua cream base.

Cream – Therapeutic

Stir 15 to 20ml tincture into 80g aqua cream to treat acne & other skin conditions.

Cream – Nourishing treat

Stir 10g infused oil into a 90g aqua base for a gentle moisturising treat.

Toner & Rinse

Add 10ml tincture to 90ml mineral or distilled water & use it in spray as a therapeutic skin toner & rehydrator. Add one teaspoon to a bit of water and use it as a face rinse.

Scrub

Use the finely powdered herb as a gentle scrub to exfoliate & cleanse the skin.

You can add ten drops of essential oil to each 100ml blend for an enhanced natural scent and therapeutic benefits.

Potential side effects

Exceeding the recommended dosage or overuse of Echinacea can lead to nausea and dizziness, specifically affecting people with allergies. Side effects may occur in people who exceed the dosage and are allergic to flowers such as daisies, marigold, and ragweed.

Do not take Echinacea when you have autoimmune diseases like lupus or multiple sclerosis. HIV, AID, or tuberculosis. Due to Echinacea’s stimulating effect on the immune system, people with autoimmune disorders or taking immunosuppressive drugs should avoid it or consult their health practitioners first. Even though Echinacea is okay for pregnant or breastfeeding women, it should be used cautiously.

Transpersonal Benefits

Spiritual Benefits: The Flower Essence enables us to create healthy boundaries. It reminds us of the significance of remaining open to how safety can show up through healthy boundaries when circumstances involving elevated protection arise. Echinacea spirit medicine strengthens our understanding of what is self and what is not self. Just like our immune system defines the boundaries of what is itself by recognising pathogens, so can echinacea enable us to create healthy relationships with our egos. It creates a greater connection between our day-to-day selves and our souls, thus fortifying our entire being. Like the root of echinacea that nourishes the whole plant, so does the relationship with our essential selves fortify our real identity.

Magical Attributes: Inner strength & prosperity – Carrying Echinacea provide inner strength during challenging times. Grow it around the house or bring it into your house and place it in a vase to draw prosperity into your home and protect your family from poverty. Echinacea flowers are used for offerings, especially to place spirits and river Gods/Goddesses. Including Echinacea in any spell or charm will increase its effectiveness.

Correspondences Planet: Mars

Astrological Sign: Scorpio

Tarot Card: Temperance

Growing & Caring for Echinacea

Growing Habit

They are herbaceous, drought-tolerant perennial plants growing up to 140 cm in height.

Season

Plant the seed in early spring.

Position

Echinacea thrives in full to partial sun. Plants need at least four hours of sunlight per day. The plants grow natively along the edges of woodlands, so they will thrive in spots with morning shade and afternoon sun or vice versa.

Soil

Echinacea will tolerate poor, rocky soil but not grow in wet, muddy soil.

Spacing

Coneflowers are clumping plants. One plant will tend to get larger, but it will not spread and overtake the garden via roots or rhizomes. The eventual size of the plant clump depends on the cultivar, so check the mature size listed in the plant description to help you decide on spacing if a plant is estimated to grow to 45cm wide or 45cm between plants. Because Echinacea establishes deep taproots, you need to plant them where you want them. They do not like to be moved once established.

Sow & Plant

Plant Echinacea plants in the spring or the fall in well-drained soil in full to part sun. Echinacea is easy to grow from seed but also tricky as it requires a cold, moist period—called stratification—to germinate. .

Sow seeds in the autumn, covering them lightly to discourage birds from eating them. Seeds will germinate in the spring. Otherwise sow the seeds in trays of moist sand (first refrigerate them for a week). Plant the seedlings into pots of compost once they are big enough to handle. Keep them in partial shade, moving them further into the sun for longer times each day until they are hardened off and ready to plant in the garden. They need full sun and compost-enriched, well dug soil. Space the plants 400mm apart. Most plants will bloom during the second year—one reason it’s advantageous to start with transplants

Mulching

Mulch plants with compost at the time of planting. Do not bury the plant stem, but mulch in the spring with compost to improve soil fertility around the plant.

Watering

Echinacea is a low-water plant; however, you’ll need to water young plants to help them establish new roots. That is usually a sequence of every day or every other day right after planting, moving to a couple of times per week, to once per week, to every other week, to water only when your area is experiencing extreme drought. The second year after planting and beyond, you should not have to water Echinacea unless you’ve gone eight weeks or more without rain. They are that drought-tolerant.

Trimming & pruning

You can prolong the already-long bloom period of Echinacea plants by deadheading them. Cut dead flowers to a leaf where you can see a bud ready to swell and break. Toward the end of the bloom, leave some flowers on the plant to dry and go to seed. Birds love to snack on the seeds, which is enough reason to keep them, but the plants will also self-sow, allowing you to end up with some freebies during the next growing season.

Control size and delay the entire plant’s bloom by cutting plants back in June to 30 inches tall. If you prune some of your plants, but not all of them, you’ll have a lovely, long, staggered coneflower bloom season.

Harvesting

Harvest the tops in the third year and the roots in the fourth year. Thoroughly wash and dry the roots.

Drying

Lay roots out in the sun to dry. You can dry your plants by either hanging the whole plant or removing the petals and leaves and then laying them flat to dry in a cool dark place. Once dry, gather the petals and leaves and gently cut or crush them into minced-size pieces.