Echinacea
is a genus, or group of herbaceous flowering plants in the daisy family. The Echinacea genus has nine
species, which are commonly called coneflowers. They are found only
in eastern and central North America, where they are found growing in moist to dry prairies and open wooded
areas. They have large, showy heads of composite flowers, blooming from early to late summer. The generic name is
derived from the Greek word ἐχῖνος (ekhinos), meaning "hedgehog," due to the spiny central disk. These flowering plants
and their parts have different uses. Some species are cultivated in gardens for
their showy flowers. Echinacea purpurea is used in folk medicine. Two of the species, E. tennesseensis and E.
laevigata, are listed in the United States as endangered species.
Description
Echinacea species are herbaceous,
drought-tolerant perennial plants growing up to 140 cm or 4 feet,[4] in height.
They grow from taproots, except E. purpurea, which grows from a short caudex
with fibrous roots. They have erect stems that in most species are unbranched.
Both the basal and cauline (stem) leaves are arranged alternately. The leaves
are normally hairy with a rough texture, having uniseriate trichomes (1-4 rings
of cells) but sometimes they lack hairs. The basal leaves and the lower stem
leaves have petioles, and as the leaves progress up the stem the petioles often
decrease in length. The leaf blades in different species may have one, three or
five nerves. Some species have linear to lanceolate leaves, and others have
elliptic- to ovate-shaped leaves; often the leaves decrease in size as they
progress up the stems. Leaf bases gradually increase in width away from the
petioles or the bases are rounded to heart shaped. Most species have leaf
margins that are entire, but sometimes they are dentate or serrate.
The flowers are collected together into single
rounded heads at the ends of long peduncles. The inflorescences have
crateriform to hemispheric shaped involucres which are 12–40 mm wide. The
phyllaries, or bracts below the flower head, are persistent and number 15–50.
The phyllaries are produced in a 2–4 series. The receptacles are hemispheric to
conic. The paleae (chaffs on the receptacles of many Asteraceae) have orange to
reddish purple ends, and are longer than the disc corollas. The paleae bases
partially surrounding the cypselae, and are keeled with the apices abruptly
constricted to awn-like tips. The ray florets number 8–21 and the corollas are
dark purple to pale pink, white, or yellow. The tubes of the corolla are
hairless or sparsely hairy, and the laminae are spreading, reflexed, or
drooping in habit and linear to elliptic or obovate in shape. The abaxial faces
of the laminae are glabrous or moderately hairy. The flower heads have
typically 200-300 fertile, bisexual disc florets but some have more. The
corollas are pinkish, greenish, reddish-purple or yellow and have tubes shorter
than the throats. The pollen is normally yellow in most species, but usually
white in E. pallida. The three or four-angled fruits (cypselae), are tan or bicolored
with a dark brown band distally. The pappi are persistent and variously
crown-shaped with 0 to 4 or more prominent teeth. x = 11.[5]
Like all members of the sunflower family, the
flowering structure is a composite inflorescence, with rose-colored (rarely
yellow or white) florets arranged in a prominent, somewhat cone-shaped head –
"cone-shaped" because the petals of the outer ray florets tend to
point downward (are reflexed) once the flower head opens, thus forming a cone.
Plants are generally long lived, with distinctive flowers. The common name
"cone flower" comes from the characteristic center "cone"
at the center of the flower head. The generic name Echinacea is rooted in the
Greek word ἐχῖνος (echinos), meaning hedgehog,[6] it references the spiky
appearance and feel of the flower heads.
What Is
Echinacea?
What is echinacea and what is it used for? Echinacea is a native
North American coneflower that was discovered and used as a traditional herbal
remedy for more than 400 years by the Great Plains Indian tribes. Technically
classified as an herb, several species of the echinacea plant are used to make
medicine from its flowers, leaves and roots.
Prior to 1950 and the introduction of antibiotics, echinacea held
an esteemed medicinal status. As the health care industry shifted, antibiotics
became the rage, and the now famed herb lost much of its esteem.
It’s become a popular plant to grow. Also called Echinacea
pallida, commonly known as the pale purple coneflower, the echinacea plant is a
favorite of gardeners and butterfly enthusiasts. An attractive flower that
resemble daisies with mounded heads and rose, pink or purple petals, it grows
on strong stems far above the foliage.
Most people don’t realize that the chemicals contained in the root
differ significantly from those in the upper part of the plant. If we analyze
the roots, we can see that they have high concentrations of volatile oils,
while the parts that grow above the soil tend to contain more polysaccharides
that are known to trigger immune function. Echinacea extract is essentially a
tincture from this upper part of the plant.
Many of Echinacea’s chemical constituents are, in fact, powerful
immune system stimulators and can provide a significant therapeutic value. A
few that you’re probably familiar with are essential oils, flavonoids, inulin,
polysaccharides and vitamin C. (3)
The University of Maryland Medical Center also reports that the
portion of the plant that grows above ground is the most effective.
Interestingly, in Germany, dietary herbs are regulated by the government, and
above ground parts of the Echinacea purpurea species are actually approved as
natural remedies for urinary tract infections, upper respiratory tract
infections, colds and slow-healing wounds. (4)
9 Echinacea
Benefits
What are the benefits of taking echinacea? Although there seems to
be an infinite number of echinacea benefits, these nine stand out.
1. Combats
Cancer
Fascinating research about echinacea benefits regarding brain
cancer has been published by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Stating
that, the “medicinal value of phytochemicals contained in Echinacea is clearly
evident and indicates that these agents, as well as phytochemicals not yet
discovered in other herbs, may be valuable tools to combat tumors.” (5)
The use of echinacea as another natural cancer treatment is now
being recommended, literally, “alongside — or indeed in place of — conventional
therapy.”
2. Boosts
the Immune System
How does Echinacea help with colds? Published in the journal
Lancet Infectious Diseases, the University of Connecticut performed a
meta-analysis study that evaluated 14 studies and determined that:
Echinacea cuts the chances of catching a common cold by 58 percent.
Echinacea reduces the duration of the common cold by almost
one-and-a-half days.
Craig Coleman, Assistant Professor of Pharmacy Practice and lead
author of the study, added that, “The take home message from our study is that
echinacea does indeed have powerful cold prevention and cold treatment
benefits.” As I’ve discovered, it’s one of several effective natural cold
remedies.
According to Dr. Coleman, “The significance of that finding
becomes clear when you consider Americans suffer from one billion colds
annually and spend about $1.5 billion annually for doctor’s visits and another
$2 billion annually on non-prescription cough and cold treatments.” (6)
The United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources
Conservation Service reports that the immune system seems to be strongly
influenced by the level of the echinacea dose. It appears that 10 milligrams of
echinacea per one kilgram of body weight, taken daily over a 10-day period, is
effective as an immune system stimulant. (7)
In addition, the medical journal Hindawi has published material
suggesting that echinacea stops viral colds. However, the most significant
results of echinacea benefits with regards to the immune system were the
effects when used on recurring infections. (8) To date, research shows that
echinacea probably reduces cold symptoms, but it seems its effects are more
powerful once cold symptoms start. (9)
Therefore, you can see why echinacea is a favorite recommendation
for integrative physicians, homeopaths, naturopaths and more for their patients.
3.
Alleviates Pain
Echinacea’s history began when Echinacea purpurea was used by the
Great Plains Indians as a painkiller. It’s an especially effective natural pain
reliever for the following types:
Pain in the bowels
Pain associated with headaches
Pain associated with HSV (herpes)
Pain associated with gonorrhea
Pain associated with measles
Snake bites
Sore throats
Stomach ache
Tonsillitis
Toothache
Some common ways to use echinacea to combat pain is to drink the
herbal echinacea tea, or even make a paste out of the dried herb and rub it
directly on the area that is affected.
4. Functions
as a Laxative
Like many herbs, echinacea is particularly healing for the stomach
and entire gastrointestinal tract. According to Medical Herbalism, for example,
echinacea can be used as a mild natural laxative to provide natural
constipation relief and as a calming agent. (10)
Drinking the herbal tea is especially effective to help with this.
For more chronic conditions, a cup of tea every day can help loosen the bowels
— whereas 2–3 cups per day can help with sudden bouts. However, be sure not to
over use echinacea, keeping watch to limit your tea to two cups a day max and
taking supplements as directed on their labels.
5.
Anti-Inflammatory
Arguably the number one killer worldwide, inflammation is at the
root of most diseases. Various factors — including stress, toxins in our food
and poor sleep — all contribute. Thankfully, as explained by the University of
British Columbia, regular echinacea consumption can effectively reverse and
alleviate various types of inflammation. (11)
The National Institute of Health reports that it can even help
with uveitis, or eye inflammation. (12) It’s a good idea for people who
struggle with chronic inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis to
regularly consume the herbal tea.
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