Botanical Name: Echinacea pallida
Common Name:
- English:
- Also, known as: Purple Coneflower, Black Sampson, Niggerhead, Rudbeckia,
- Cock Up Hat, Comb Flower, Indian comb, Indian Head, Kansas Snakeroot, Kansas Coneflower, Red Sunflower, Scurvy root, Snakeroot, American Cone Flower, Black Sampson, Black Susans, Brauneria Angustifolia, Brauneria Pallida, Brauneria Purpurea, Comb Flower, Coneflower, Echinacea Angustifolia, Echinacea Pallida, Echinacea Purpurea, Echinacea Serotine, Echinacea Speciose, Echinaceawurzel, Échinacée, Échinacée Angustifolia, Échinacée Pallida, Échinacée Pourpre, Échinacée Purpurea, Equinácea, Fleur À Hérisson, Hedgehog, Helichroa Purpurea, Igelkopfwurzel, Indian Head, Kansas Snakeroot, Narrow-Leaved Echinacea, Narrow-Leaved Purple Coneflower, Narrow-Leaved Purple Cone Flower, Pale Coneflower, Pale Flower Echinacea, Pale Purple Coneflower, Purple Coneflower, Purple Cone Flower, Purpursonnenhutkraut, Purpursonnenhutwurzel, Racine D’echininacea, Red Sunflower, Rock-Up-Hat, Roter Sonnenhut, Rudbeckia Purpurea, Rudbeckie Pourpre, Schmallblaettrige Kegelblumenwurzel, Schmallblaettriger Sonnenhut, Scurvy Root, Snakeroot, Sonnenhutwurzel.
Origin: USA
Harvested: Cultivated
Part used: Root
General Information:
The Echinacea is a group of plant species that belongs to the same family as dandelion, sunflower, and daisy. These flowering shrubs are best known as ornamental plants in gardens. Also, they are widely recognized as medicinal herbs in alternative medicine. One of the most popular herbs in the United States marketplace is the native American medicinal plant Echinacea.
The term refers to several plants in the genus Echinacea, derived from the above ground parts and roots of Echinacea angustifolia (Narrow-leafed Purple Coneflower), Echinacea pallida (Pale Purple Coneflower), and Echinacea purpurea (Purple Coneflower).
Echinacea Angustifolia is an herbaceous perennial plant grows up to a height of twelve to twenty-eight inches. Linear lanceolate leaves are thick, rough, hairy, broadly landscaped, 2 to 8 inch long, narrowed at the end and strongly three nerved, its flowers are like cone shaped disks that are pink and purple in color. The plant usually has one or more stems. The taproot that produces seeds is harvested three to four times a year. 2 to 4 feet tall, with single, stout, bristly, hairy stems. The stems and leaves are moderately to densely hairy. The plant produces flower heads one per side branch, each at the end of a long peduncle. Each head contains 8-21 pink or purple ray florets plus 200-300 purple disc florets.
Almost all its parts are of medicinal value. But most importantly, it is the root of the Echinacea Angustifolia that has most of the beneficial medicinal properties. It can be easily found in the Rocky Mountains of North America and the midwestern states.
The various Echinacea species contain numerous chemical constituents. There is still no consensus on exactly which of these is the most active immunomodulator. Some experts believe that the Echinacea augustifolia is the best, and others say Echinacea purpurea is the best. Echinacea pallida seems to be caught somewhere in the middle.
How to use:
Decoctions are suitable for roots, barks, large seeds & berries, and other dense material. The simple way to make decoction is, in a saucepan, add 1 tablespoon of dried herbs to 1 cup of water. Bring the water to boil, reduce heat and simmer for 30-60 minutes. Strain and squeeze out as much as liquid as possible and enjoy!
Tips:
- You can sweeten your herbal decoctions with bit of honey, natural fruit juice, stevia leaves powder and or licorice root powder.
Precautions:
You should consult with a qualified healthcare practitioner before using any herbal products, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, or on any medications.
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This information has not been evaluated by Health Canada.
This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.