Echinacea

Actions:	Alterative, Anesthetic (mild), Anti-inflammatory, Anti-putrefactive, Anti-tumor, Bactericide, Deodorant, Depurative, IMMUNOSTIMULANT, Insecticide, Stimulant, Tonic
	Note: E. pallida and E. purpurea are considered by some to be weaker than E. angustifolia syn. E. augustifolia. Some also consider that E. purpurea's medicinal properties are ruined by drying and/or tincturing and only fresh herb should be used.
	NOTE: There is quite a bit of dispute over whether Echinacea is an antibiotic or not. I have been taught that it is not, though some still insist that it is. Echinacea boosts the body's own immune system, which creates its own antibiotics, however, this does not make it (the herb) an antibiotic. Research has also been done on the plant to determine if it is an antibiotic or not. Results proclaim that Echinacea is definately NOT an antibiotic so in these files it will not be listed as such.

Uses:	Internal:	Anesthetic (mild), Antiputrefactive, Depurative, Stimulant, Tonic
		Boils, Carbuncles, Colds, Flu, Infections, Poisoning, Septic conditions

	External:	Anesthetic, Deodorant, Stimulant
		Applied as tincture to sores that ooze foul-smelling liquids, it will burn (hurt) for a few seconds, then bring relief of pain and help eliminate bad smells.
	Spray:	Tonsillitis
	Gargle:	Sore gums, teeth, throat, tongue
	Mouthwash:	Gums (sore), Teeth (sore)
		(with asepsin and myrrh tincture): Bleeding gums, Halitosis

Abscesses, AIDS, Alterative, Anesthetic (mild), Anti-inflammatory, Anti-putrefactive, Anti-tumor, Arthritis (general, rheumatoid), Bactericide, Bad breath, Bites (brown recluse, snake, spider), Blood purifier, Boils, Bronchitis, Burns, Cancer, Canker sores, CFS (chronic fatigue syndrome), Chicken pox, Chilblains, Cholera (infant), Chronic fatigue syndrome, Cold sores, Colds, Congestion (chronic, nasal), Coughs (whooping), Cuts, Cystitis, Deodorant, Depurative, Diphtheria, Ear infections, Eczema, Fevers (general, scarlet), Flu, Gangrene, Genital herpes, Gums (bleeding, sore), Halitosis, Herpes (genital, sores), IMMUNOSTIMULANT, Infant cholera, Infections (ear, general, sinus, throat, urinary tract, yeast), Insecticide, Inflammations (general, joint, pelvic), Insecticide, Leukemia, Malaria, Measles, Meningitis, Mumps, Otitis media (ear infections), Pelvic inflammatory Disease, Preventative (colds, flu, infections), Pertussis, Prostate (enlargement), Prostatitis, Psoriasis, Rheumatoid arthritis, Sinus infections, Sinusitis, Smallpox, Soreness (gums, teeth, throat, tongue), Sores (canker, cold, general, hard-to-heal, herpes), Stimulant, Stings (insect), Strep throat, Syphilis, Throat (infections, sore, strep), Tonic, Tonsillitis, Toothaches, Tuberculosis, Ulcers (leg), Urinary tract infections, Vaginitis, Whooping cough, Wounds (general, hard-to-heal), Yeast infections

Contraindications:

Though generally safe to use, those with auto-immune disorders (Lupus erythymatosis, multiple sclerosis and tuberculosis) are cautioned against using these plants only because stimulating an already over-active immune system might be a bad idea; studies have not been conducted to determine this at this time. Pregnant and lactating women CAN take this herb! Do not take Echinacea for more than two weeks at a time.

Side effects are rare, but may include: upset stomach and/or diarrhea.

Notes:	When purchasing Echinacea from an herb shop, be sure to ask the herbalist for a small pinch of the herb before purchasing. Place just a bit in your mouth and chew it twice to break it up and wet it a bit, then set it on the tip of your tongue. If you feel a tingle (or even in some cases a mild burning), then it is good quality Echinacea! Be warned, though.. some people can't stand the taste of Echinacea, so you might not want to try this, or have a tissue on hand to spit the herb back out upon.

	Echinacea is said by some to work best on non-chronic illnesses.

	Of the nine species of Echinacea native to North America and Canada, two are endangered.

	Preventative:	Many people take Echinacea every day as a preventative; however this method will result in the gradual resistance of the body to the herb. Instead, try taking Echinacea for a week, then stopping for a week, then taking it again for a week. By alternating weeks, you can boost your immune system, yet still allow your body the chance to rest. Besides, it saves you 50% of the money you spent since you're using Echinacea only half the time!

Echinacea spp.
Echinacea angustifolia syn. E. augustifolia	\| Echinacea pallida	\| Echinacea purpurea

	Herb List
	Herb List: Common names
	Herb List: Scientific names
	Herb List: Family names
	Glossary of Terms
	Actions List
	Herbal Preparations
	Book List

	Herb Home Page

Parts Used:	Flower, Leaves, Stalk, Root
	NOTE: Some say that only the FLOWER is the active part, others say only the ROOT is. Personal experience and experience of fellow herbalists show that ALL parts work.