Asteraceae
Echinacea
Echinacea purpurea, E. angustifolia
The best-known immune herb in North America — an acrid, tingling root that rallies innate immunity at the first sign of infection.
- Also known as
- Purple coneflower, Kansas snakeroot
- Parts used
- Root, Aerial parts, Seed
- Taste
- Acrid, Bitter, Sweet
- Energetics
- Cooling · Drying
- Sourcing
- At-risk in the wild
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Traditional use
Among the most widely used medicines of the Plains peoples — for snakebite, toothache, sore throat, wounds and fevers.
Adopted by the Eclectics in the 1880s as a 'blood purifier' for septic conditions; it became America's top-selling botanical before antibiotics.
Research
Modest reduction in common-cold risk
ClinicalCochrane review: some preparations may reduce the relative risk of catching a cold by 10–20%; treatment effects are inconsistent across products.
Karsch-Völk M et al. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2014;(2):CD000530.
Alkylamides act on CB2 receptors
PreclinicalAlkylamides modulate TNF-α expression via CB2 — an endocannabinoid route to immune modulation.
Gertsch J et al. FEBS Lett. 2004;577(3):563–569.
Key constituents
- Alkylamides
- Cause the characteristic tongue tingle; bind CB2 cannabinoid receptors.
- Caffeic acid derivatives (cichoric acid, echinacoside)
- Antioxidant and antiviral activity.
- Polysaccharides
- Water-soluble; stimulate macrophages.
Sourcing notes
Listed as At-Risk by United Plant Savers. Wild E. angustifolia should not be purchased; E. purpurea is easily cultivated.
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