Echinacea angustifolia, Echinacea pupurea, (Purple Coneflower or Snakeroot)

Family: Compositae or Asteraceae

Part Used: Root, seeds and flowers

Active Constituents:

Alkylamides, betaine, glycoside (echinacoside), inulin, polysaccharides, resins, volatile oil

Medicinal Actions:

Alterative, anti-bacterial, anti-viral, tonic

Medicinal Uses:

1) Historically, echinacea was the original snake oil remedy. It had been used by the Plains Indians as a treatment for snakebite. A patent medicine vendor bottled it and would allow snakes to bite him to prove its efficacy. He brought the remedy to the attention of the eclectic physicians.

2) When used specifically, echinacea is indicated for treatment of a patient presenting with symptoms of fatigue, skin eruptions, swollen glands, increase or decrease in body temperature, dullness of the mind and personality. It was historically used for people run down from too much work or study according to Mathew Wood.

3) Echinacea has polysaccharides that are known as immunomodulators. It has been shown to activate the cytotoxic activity of macrophages, increases interferon production and the interleukins. It has also been shown to stimulate fibroblast activity so can protect tissues against bacterial proliferation. It seems to block the ability of the bacteria to produce hyaluronidase. It also has exhibited the ability to stimulate macrophages to greater cytotoxic activity against tumor cells.[1]

4) Dr. Bill Mitchell uses a combination of Echinacea, Hydrastis and anthocyanadins from mixed sources to treat gangrenous sores. He uses 1000mg. of anthocyanins from mixed berries five times a day, with 1 teaspoon of mixed tincture of Echinacea and Hydrastis six times daily.

5) He also uses diluted echinacea topically for decubitus ulcers (ischemic necrosis and ulceration of tissues that overlie a bony prominence and that have been subjected to prolonged external pressure from a supporting surface such as a bed or wheelchair).

6) Echinacea historically has been used to offset the effects of contaminated immunizations or to treat the side effects of immunization. The plant products that produce the tingling , numbing sensation to the tongue were categorized as diffuses.

7) These plants have specific indications for areas of the body and tend to stimulate the lymphatic circulation. That is why Echinacea is so indicated to exhausted, dull conditions where there is stasis.

Contraindications:

There is no toxicity associated with Echinacea. There is discussion about whether or not to use Echinacea with patients who have auto-immune disease. My advice would be to use it according to the above indications. It is suggested by Sherrol Tilgner, ND, that you use only whole plant extracts with low arabinogalactan content when treating HIV + patients.

Because Echinacea angustifolia is becoming endangered, you should use organically grown rather than wild crafted product.

Pharmacy:

Infusion: ½ - 1 tsp/C. H2O TID

Decoction: 1-2 tsp/C. H2O X 15 min TID

Tincture (1:5): ½ - 1 tsp. BID-QID

Tincture (1:1): 10-75 drops QD-QID

[1] Luettig et al.,Macrophage Activation by the Polysaccharide Arabinogalactan Isolated from Plant Cell Cultures of Echinacea pupuea, Journal of National Cancer Institute, 1989, 89;9:669-675