Echinacea

History
Physiology
Range and Habitat
Uses
Photos

 

History
Echinacea was used by many Native Americans, including the Cheyenne, Choctaw, Comanche, Crow, Dakota, Delaware, Kiowa, Meskwaki, Omaha, Pawnee, and Winnebago tribes, as a medicinal cure.  In fact, in many of these tribes, Echinacea was used more than any other medicinal plant.  Native Americans used Echinacea to create teas, mouthwashes, and medicinal bandages for treatment of coughs, dyspepsia, toothaches, sore throats, colds, colic, inflammation, hydrophobia, snakebites, headaches, stomach cramps, and a variety of other ailments.

 

Echinacea became prominent in American medicine in the late 19th century.  H.C.F. Meyer, a German healer, marketed Echinacea  as a 'miracle cure,' which he labeled Meyers' Blood Purifier, and used to treat a wide variety of ailments, including diptheria, typhus, and other infections.  The so-called 'cure all' drew the attention of American Dispensatory author John King, and Echinacea was introduced into eclectic medicinal practices in 1887.  By the 1930s, use of Echinacea spread to Europe, and was sold to American doctors more commonly than any other herb.  From 1950-1991, more than 200 studies were published on the chemical, pharmacological, and clinical uses and effects of Echinacea.  Echinacea continues to be a popular herbal remedy in the United States, and around the world.

The name Echinacea comes from the Greek word echinos, which means hedgehog or sea urchin, referring to the prickly scales of the dried seed head on the plant.
(Information from http://www.globalherbalsupplies.com/herb_information/echinacea.htm)

 

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Physiology
There are nine known species of Echinacea, but only three of these are used for medicinal purposes.  These three species are: E. angustifolia, E. pallida, and E. purpurea.  Echinacea is a perennial herb with purple, daisy-like flowers.  The roots of Echinacea plants are most commonly used for their proposed curative properties, although, depending on the species, the leaves and flowers may be ground up and used in supplements as well.

Echinacea is rich in polysaccharides and phytosterols, which are believed to simulate the actions of the alternative complement pathway, which causes immune cells to search out bacteria. 

The roots of E. angustifolia contain glycoside echinacoside, which has a mild antibiotic properties.  Other components in Echinacea, such as the polysaccharide echinacin, also have antibiotic and antifungal activity. E. purpurea contains components, mainly echinacin, with cortisone-like activity and which help with wound healing by inhibiting inflammatory hyaluronidase enzyme. E. purpurea also contains the sesquiterpene esters which have immunostimulatory activity.
(Information from http://www.nutrimart.com/Bulk/Description/echinace.htm)

 

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Range and Habitat
Echinacea is common throughout the North American plains and woodlands, and is native to Ohio and Iowa south to Louisiana and Georgia.  The plant is also being cultivated in parts of Europe.
(Information from http://www.gardenguides.com/flowers/perennials/coneflower.htm)

 

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Uses
Echinacea is being studied for use in treating the following ailments:

• Colds, influenza, flu
• Candidlasis
• Strep throat
• Staph infections
• Urinary tract infections
• Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)
• Tonsil and throat infections
• Infected wounds
• Burns
• Herpes
• Skin ulcers
• Eczema
• Psoriasis
• Whooping cough
• Bronchitis
• Leucopenia
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Anti-allergy
• Toothaches/earaches
• Blood/food poisoning
• Boils and abscesses
• Immune dysfunction

 

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Photos

*Photos by Kathleen McKeown

 

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Office closed during semester break

The Botanical Center's administrative office will be closed December 24 - January 3, in accordance with Iowa State University's semester break recommendation. Normal office hours will resume on Monday, January 4, 2010.

 

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