Echinacea

Coneflower

Echinacea

Echinacea, the botanical name for the genus of plants commonly known as coneflowers, was traditionally used by the indigenous peoples of North America to treat colds.

The Latin name Echinacea (coneflower) comes from the Greek word echinos, meaning hedgehog, because the flower heads of the coneflower resemble the spiky back of a hedgehog.

Echinacea

Botany

Echinacea (MOENCH) belongs to the family Compositae (Asteraceae). Of the nine known species - some with several rare varieties, not including garden cultivars - three species in particular are used for medicine production in Europe: Echinacea purpurea (L.) MOENCH, Echinacea pallida (NUTT.) and Echinacea angustifolia (DC.).

The plants are native to eastern North America and the Mississippi basin, primarily the states of Arkansas, Oklahoma, Missouri and Kansas.

Echinacea

History of the medicinal plant

The description of plants of the later Echinacea genus can be traced back to the 17th century. At that time, the seeds of an Echinacea species from Virginia were sent to the Oxford Botanic Garden, where they germinated successfully in 1699, forming the basis for Morison's description of a plant he called Barracuculus virginianus latifolius. The illustration the author included in his description supports the assumption that this plant could have been Echinacea purpurea.

The first reports of Echinacea being used by white settlers in North America go quite a long way back. It's likely that they adopted the use from the indigenous peoples. One report from the 18th century comes from Johann Schöpf, who served as an army physician in North America for the Ansbach regiment during the American Revolutionary War between 1777 and 1784 and after his return in 1787 published the "Materia medica americana potissimum regni vegetabilis". The real impetus for the widespread medical use of Echinacea came from a German by the name of H.C.F. Meyer. He was purportedly a qualified physician and lived in the second half of the 19th century in Pawnee City, where he sold a miracle cure under the name of 'Meyer's Blood Purifier'. After he had already been selling the remedy for 16 years, in 1885 he approached Prof. John King and John Ury Lloyd in Cincinnati in order to get it promoted it more widely. Prof. King agreed to try out tinctures of the root and also persuaded other doctors to do the same. The positive results finally prompted King to write a first article with Meyer on the effects of Echinacea (angustifolia).

Echinacea

Mode of action

In modern medicine, it is usually the root that is used to produce medicines. Echinacea roots stimulate key immune cells. Certain species of echinacea stimulate the immune system, e.g. by activating germ-killing scavenger cells.

Baptisia

Baptisia (wild indigo) has a long tradition of use as a medicinal plant: more than 2,000 years ago, it was already being administered by indigenous peoples at the first signs of illness.

Baptisia (wild indigo)
Ivy

Ivy is a plant with a history: even in ancient times, it was dedicated to the gods of wine and fertility. Later, its healing properties became increasingly recognised.

Ivy (Hedera helix)
Echinacea

Echinacea belongs to the daisy family. The name "echinacea" is derived from the ancient Greek word "echinos", meaning sea urchin, referring to the spiky, pointed bracts of the flower head. It is native to eastern and central North America.

Echinacea (coneflower)
Thuja

The healing power of thuja was historically prized by the indigenous peoples of North America. The parts of the thuja plant used for medicinal purposes are the twig tips and the younger shoots of the tree.

Thuja (arborvitae)
Sage

Sage (salvia) is a member of the mint family. It is one of the most species-rich genera. When boiled and steeped, sage has anti-inflammatory properties.

Ginger

Ginger has anti-inflammatory properties and also stimulates blood flow. Ginger also imparts a pleasant warming sensation from within.

Peppermint

Peppermint has anti-inflammatory properties and is used both internally and externally. It also soothes the mucous membranes of the nose when you have a cold.

Rhodiola rosea

Rhodiola rosea, also known as roseroot, has a long tradition as a medicinal plant in Northern Europe. It is used traditionally to combat stress and enhance performance.