Echinacea Description

What is it?

'Echinacea angustifolia / E. pallida / E. purpurea'. A plant native to the USA. Echinacea is a wild flower with purple daisy-like blossoms.

Traditional use

For centuries, the Plains tribes in central USA used the plant to healwounds and to counteract the toxins of snakebites.It became popular as an all over infection fighter, and it is thought to contain active ingredients that strengthen the immune system.

Who could benefit?

Often used to by people with colds and flu.Can help limit infection.

How to buy/take

In liquid form - either fresh-pressed juice (containing 2.4% beta-1, 2-fructofuranosides) or an alcohol-based tincture (containing a 5:1 concentration of the herb.)As pills containing at least 3.5% echinacosides.

Side effects/ contra-indications

Not to be used during pregnancy or breast-feeding. May interfere with immunosuppressive therapy.