Echinacea is one of the most popular plants used by herbalists because of its many virtues and its reputed ability to boost the immune system.
Commonly known as cone flower, echinacea is one of the most medicinal of all the herbs and has been used since early times as a blood purifier and to help build up resistance to infection. Mexicans used to bind its leaves around wounds to promote healing, to prevent infection and to stop pain, while Native Americans used it as a snakebite remedy.
It has a long history of herbal use as an immuno-stimulant and natural antitoxin. How much of this herb stimulates the immune system is still undetermined. Modern scientific research appears to support its immune building properties, along with its ability to act as an external antiseptic.
Used internally, echinacea helps prevent and ease influenza and to reduce the frequency and severity of attacks of herpes simplex. When used as an external antiseptic it will help slow healing wounds. The juice from the fresh flowers can also be used externally to treat bacterial infections.
This attractive perennial herb can be grown in home gardens in most parts of Australia. It has beautiful purple petals that radiate from a dark cone-shaped centre, and it somewhat resembles the commonly grown black-eyed Susan. It is the seeds from its cone-shaped centre that are used in a herbal tea for treating all sorts of infections, fevers and bites.
Echinacea is available from health food stores in tablet or capsule form, or as a herbal tea, and may be taken internally as a botanical antibiotic. Its reputation for stimulating the immune system makes it an excellent tonic for treating coughs, colds, flu and other infections, as well as for easing allergies.
Many herbalists now recommend that a daily preventive dose of this herb be taken to enhance the immune system and lessen the chance of catching colds and flu. Follow the directions on the tablets, capsules or tea, or as directed by your health practitioner.
With winter colds and flu now so prevalent, you may find echinacea is the perfect natural choice to help build up your immunity. To make your own echinacea herbal tea, steep one teaspoon of the dried seeds in a cup of boiling water for 10 minutes. Strain, reheat, sweeten with honey if desired, and drink as hot as possible three to four times daily when suffering from cold or flu. Alternatively, drink a cup of the tea morning and night as a preventive.
