Echinacea
(Echinacea angustifolia)
Purple cone flower, black sampson
Description:
A perennial plant with a stout, bristly stem bearing hairy,
alternate, linear-lanceolate leaves, which taper at both ends.
At times the base of the leaf is winged. The leaf margins are
toothed, top of the leaves lack petioles. A distinctive flower
features 12-30 large spreading, dull-purple rays and a conical
disk made up of numerous purple, tubular florets. Native to
central U.S. in dry open woods, on prairies, road banks, widely
cultivated.
Medicinal:
It is a antiseptic, depurative, and digestive. The rhizome is
a very effective immune system stimulant, without toxicity,
stimulating the body’s defenses against disease; also an
antibiotic, and anti-viral which restores inflamed connective
tissue, treats fevers, infections, promotes digestion. It is
a blood-purifier which helps in skin conditions such as eczema,
acne, boils and may reduce allergies. Take 1 tablespoon 3-6
times a day of the decoction (1 teaspoon of the granulated root
in 2 cups boiling water for 1/2 hr.) Combined with myrrh, it
is said to help in typhoid fever. It is also used externally.
Note: Do not use the rootstock once it has lost its odor. E.
purpurea is used similarly.
