Echinacea was commonly used by Native Americans for hundreds of years before the arrival of European explorers, settlers and colonizers. It is endemic to eastern and central North America and thrives in moist to dry prairies and open woodlands.

By the early 1800s Echinacea became a popular herbal remedy among those who had settled in the USA, and soon became commonly used in Europe as well. It became much more popular after research was carried out on it in Germany in the 1920s.

Echinacea is available OTC (over the counter) at pharmacies, health shops and supermarkets as teas, liquid extracts, a dried herb, and as capsules or tablets.

Promoters of Echinacea say that the herb encourages the immune system and reduces many of the symptoms of colds, flu and some other illnesses, infections and conditions.

Echinacea is a perennial plant, it lasts for many years. It is approximately from 1 to 2 feet (30 to 60 centimetres) tall when mature. It is slightly spiky and has large purple to pink flowers, depending on the species. The centre of the flower has a seed head (cone), which is also spiky and dark brown to red in colour.

Three species of Echinacea are used as herbal remedies:

Echinacea angustifolia - Narrow-leaf Coneflower

Echinacea pallida - Pale Purple Coneflower

Echinacea purpurea - Purple Coneflower, Eastern Purple Coneflower

Health benefits

Echinacea has a complex mix of active substances, some of which are said to be antimicrobial, while others are believed to possibly have an effect on the human immune system.

All species of this herbal remedy have compounds called phenols. Many plants contain phenols, active substances which control the activity of a range of enzymes and cell receptors, and protect the plant from infections and UV radiation damage. Phenols have high antioxidant properties, which are good for human health.

Echinacea also contains alkylamides or alkamides, (not in E. pallida), which have an effect on the immune system.

Echinacea also contains polysaccharides, glycoproteins, and caffeic acid derivatives.

Echinacea angustifolia was used extensively by the North American Plains Indians for general medical purposes. In the mid-19th and early 20th centuries, Echinacea was used for treating infection with anthrax, snakebites and also as a pain reliever. In the late 1920s and early 1930s Echinacea became extremely popular in Europe and North America as a herbal medication.

Echinacea was first used as a treatment for the common cold when a Swiss supplement maker mistakenly understood that it could prevent colds, and was used for such purposes by Native American tribes in South Dakota.

Echinacea was not commonly used for the treatment or prevention of colds by Native American Indians. Some, like the Kiowa and the Cheyenne, used it for sore throats and coughs, while the Pawnee said it was effective for headaches. The Lakotah said it was an excellent painkiller. Native Americans say that humans learnt to use Echinacea by watching elk seeking out the herb and eating them whenever they were wounded or sick. They named it the "elk root"

Echinacea is used by people today for:

Studies have produced conflicting results as to the benefits of Echinacea.

Acid indigestion
Attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
Chronic fatigue syndrome
Cold and Flu
Diphtheria
Dizziness
Genital herpes
Gum disease
Malaria
Migraines
Pain
Rattlesnake bites
Rheumatism
Septicaemia - Bloodstream infections
Streptococcus infections
Syphilis
Tonsillitis
Typhoid
Urinary tract infections
Vaginal yeast infections

Immune System Booster: Perhaps the most common usage of Echinacea relates to its impact on the immune system. Much of this is derived from the chemical constituents within Echinacea that can directly affect the chemical processes of the immune system. Studies have shown that regular intake of Echinacea can reduce your chances of catching a cold by 50% and if you are already ill, taking Echinacea can help reduce the duration of your cold by 1.4 days. For this reason, Echinacea is used by millions of people every year when they are trying to eliminate the annoying symptoms of the common cold.

Cancer Prevention: Echinacea’s ability to affect the immune system specifically relates to how it handles foreign substances within the body. Echinacea has been connected to preventing cancer because it stimulates the body’s immune system to eliminate cancerous cells. Although Echinacea is not necessarily considered an antioxidant, it can certainly help eliminate free radicals by stimulating the proper immune system cells, like T cells, thereby helping to prevent the development of cancer.

Bacteria and Viruses: Echinacea does more than stimulate T-cells, it also increases the production of white blood cells in the body, which are the main soldiers in the battle against illness going on in our bodies every day. Furthermore, Echinacea contains a compound called Echinacea, which actually inhibits bacteria and viruses from penetrating healthy cells, thereby greatly reducing the chances of contracting any type of infection while consuming Echinacea in either supplemental or natural form.

Inflammation: The active chemical components in Echinacea have been proven to reduce inflammation and the associate pain of that irritation. For this reason, Echinacea is often recommended as a “cure-all” for aches and pains in the joints. For this same reason, Echinacea oil is often spread on the skin to reduce the inflammation people suffer from being in the sun for too long.

Skin Conditions: For the same reason as it can be helpful for sunburn, it can also help heal other skin conditions. Echinacea has been recommended to patients for many years as a way to help heal psoriasis and eczema. If spread on the affected area, improvement can be seen quite rapidly, and besides healing the irritation and inflammation, it also prevents any open sores from becoming infected, due to its powerful antibacterial and antiviral powers.

Respiratory Conditions: The anti-inflammatory capacity of Echinacea extends to the respiratory tracts, so for those patients who regularly suffer from conditions like bronchitis, Echinacea can help to reduce the irritation and mucus deposition in those tracts, thereby helping you to heal faster.

Recurrent Infections: Some of the worst, and most annoying, illnesses are recurring. For example, ear infections are known to occur very often once a person has suffered through it once. This sort of recurrence can make life very unpleasant. Echinacea allows for various immune-boosting compounds to build up and remain in the body, tacitly altering the structure and reactivity of our immune system. Studies have shown a reduction in ear infections when Echinacea is consistently consumed as a way to build up resistance to further infections.

Oral Health: Studies have shown a connection between the intake of Echinacea and a reduction in gingivitis, which makes sense, considering that gingivitis is a bacterial infection. Regular Echinacea supplementation can be an effective way of helping to keep your teeth strong and healthy.

Wound Healing and Recovery: Not only does Echinacea stimulate the immune system to fight against infection and illness, it also speeds up the recovery time and wound healing process in case you do fall ill, or injure yourself. It can speed up the formation of new skin cells and get you back on your feet by eliminating bacteria from the system quicker than other medications. Also, any wound that you suffer from an accident or injury can be protected from developing infections at the same time as it is speedily healed.

A Few Words of Caution: Some people have reported allergic reactions to Echinacea, so obviously speak to your doctor before beginning any treatment regimen. Furthermore, if you are taking other painkillers, Echinacea can negatively impact your liver. Also, some people report headaches and stomach aches. However, the overall benefits of Echinacea far outweigh the potential negatives.