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Traditional Uses
Echinacea was commonly used by the Plains Indians in the USA. American settlers also adopted its use, and the herb has been valued by natural health care advocates since.
From the mid 1800s to the early 1900s, Echinacea was considered one of the basic antimicrobial herbs of Eclectic medicine, and it was reportedly used for snakebite and anthrax.
In the 1930s the herb became popular in Europe and America as a recognised herbal medicine.
Current uses
Echinacea is widely used to treat or prevent colds, flu, and other infections and is believed to stimulate the immune system to help fight infections.
Echinacea is also used to treat wounds and skin problems, such as acne or boils.
Precautions (refer also to statements below)
Some people experience allergic reactions, including rashes, increased asthma, and anaphylaxis (a life-threatening allergic reaction).
In clinical trials, gastrointestinal side effects were most common.
People are more likely to experience allergic reactions to echinacea if they are allergic to related plants in the daisy family, which includes ragweed, chrysanthemums, marigolds, and daisies.
Also, people with asthma or atopy (a genetic tendency toward allergic reactions) may be more likely to have an allergic reaction when taking echinacea.
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Recent articles on Echinacea
News Comment/Articles
What's The Alternative? March 10th
Glasgow Daily Record, UK - 10 Mar 2008
Herbs such as echinacea , gotu cola and liquorice are all helpful, while nettle and eyebright can be used for their antihistamine properties and work well in ...
Beat (Or at Least Survive) a Cold
NewsMax.com, FL - 13 Mar 2008
Echinacea . Many experts like Samuel Zeiler, who is a wellness coach at the Robust Life Center in Seattle, recommend the herb echinacea as an immune center ...
AHP Releases New Monograph on Echinacea purpurea Aerial Parts - The American Herbal Pharmacopoeia (AHP), ..announced in January 2007 that it has released its new monograph on Echinacea purpurea aerial parts.1
Courtney Cavaliere - American Botanical Council
Your Guide to Echinacea Etiquette - How best to use echinacea to boost immunity Facts you need to be aware of if it doesn't work for you first time round.
Martin, Adam. “Your Guide to Echinacea Etiquette.” Health. March 2006
The top 10 herbal therapies
Vinod K. Garg, MD; Charles O. Hershey, MD
.. Limited evidence suggests that when taken early in the course of the common cold, echinacea may be safe and effective in reducing the cold's severity and duration ..
Herbal expert offers cold facts
... Shearer hasn't had a cold for more than a decade — something he attributes to the use of an indigenous purple coneflower, known as echinacea angustifolia. ...
Brandon Sun, Canada - Mar 31, 2006
Simple steps can boost your immune system for optimal health
... Try Herbs: Science has shown Echinacea , garlic and Andrographis paniculata, one of Sweden's top-selling herbs, help stimulate the body's natural defenses. ... Leaderland News, IL - Mar 21, 2006