Herb of The Week ~ Echinacea

May 6, 2010

Parts used: The roots and leaves.

One of the most popular herbs in America

today is the Native American medicinal plant

called Echinacea. Named for the prickly scales in its large conical

seed head, the herb resembles the spines of an angry hedgehog (echinos

is Greek for hedgehog).

Results of archaeological digs indicate that

Native Americans may have used Echinacea for more than 400 years to

treat infections and wounds and as a general "cure-all." Throughout

history people have used Echinacea to treat scarlet fever, syphilis,

malaria, blood poisoning, and diphtheria. Although this herb was

popular during the 18th and 19th centuries, its use began to decline in

the United States after the introduction of antibiotics. Echinacea

preparations became increasingly popular in Germany throughout the 20th

century. In fact, most of the scientific research on Echinacea has been

conducted in Germany.

Today, people use Echinacea to shorten the common

cold and flu and reduce symptoms, such as sore throat (pharyngitis),

cough, and fever. Many herbalists also recommend Echinacea to help

boost the immune system and help the body fight infections.

What It Is Used For:

* Echinacea has traditionally been used to treat

or prevent colds, flu, and other infections.

* Echinacea is believed to stimulate the immune system to help

fight infections.

* Less commonly, Echinacea has been used for wounds and skin problems,

such as acne or boils and to deaden the pain of a tooth ache or sore

gums.

How It Is Used:

The leaves and roots of Echinacea are used fresh or dried to make teas,

squeezed (expressed) juice, extracts, or preparations for external use.

Bryan's garden: I have more than 50 Echinacea plants right now. I plan

to have over a hundred soon.

~B

This Herb of the Week was taken from my site www.organicherbs.webs.com

P.S. Growing up with Echinacea I

learned that it is a wonderful taste enhancer. It has to be of high

quality for this to work but it makes cold water taste amazing and

apples especially delicious. I have found that quality Echinacea will

make you salivate and this makes food taste better. Try this test!!!!

You'll be astounded.

May 7, 2010

Are you talking Echinacea Agustifolia or Purpea?

Have you noticed differences between to two varieties? If so, what have you

noticed?

herbal remedies , Bryan Shillington <bryan wrote:

>

> Parts used: The roots and leaves.

>

> One of the most popular herbs in America today is the Native

> American medicinal plant called Echinacea. Named for the prickly

> scales in its large conical seed head, the herb resembles the spines

> of an angry hedgehog (echinos is Greek for hedgehog).

>

> Results of archaeological digs indicate that Native Americans may

> have used Echinacea for more than 400 years to treat infections and

> wounds and as a general " cure-all. " Throughout history people have

> used Echinacea to treat scarlet fever, syphilis, malaria, blood

> poisoning, and diphtheria. Although this herb was popular during the

> 18th and 19th centuries, its use began to decline in the United

> States after the introduction of antibiotics. Echinacea preparations

> became increasingly popular in Germany throughout the 20th century.

> In fact, most of the scientific research on Echinacea has been

> conducted in Germany.

>

> Today, people use Echinacea to shorten the common cold and flu and

> reduce symptoms, such as sore throat (pharyngitis), cough, and

> fever. Many herbalists also recommend Echinacea to help boost the

> immune system and help the body fight infections.

>

> What It Is Used For:

>

> * Echinacea has traditionally been used to treat or prevent colds,

> flu, and other infections.

> * Echinacea is believed to _stimulate the immune system_ to help

> fight infections.

> * Less commonly, Echinacea has been used for wounds and skin

> problems, such as acne or boils and to deaden the pain of a tooth

> ache or sore gums.

>

> How It Is Used:

> The leaves and roots of Echinacea are used fresh or dried to make

> teas, squeezed (expressed) juice, extracts, or preparations for

> external use.

>

> Bryan's garden: I have more than 50 Echinacea plants right now. I plan

> to have over a hundred soon.

>

> ~B

>

> This Herb of the Week was taken from my site www.organicherbs.webs.com

>

> P.S. Growing up with Echinacea I learned that it is a wonderful taste

> enhancer. It has to be of high quality for this to work but it makes

> cold water taste amazing and apples especially delicious. I have found

> that quality Echinacea will make you salivate and this makes food taste

> better. Try this test!!!! You'll be astounded.

>

May 7, 2010

The story of the modern use of Echinacea is linked to the

Swiss herbalist and ethnobotanist Dr Vogel.

He met the Lakota healer Black Eagle in South Dakota

in the nineteen fifties. Black Eagle was in his nineties

at the time. A friendship developed, and Black Eagle

introduced Dr. Vogel to the sacred plant Echinacea,

both Angustifolia and Purpurea. He claimed both plants

work equally well. Since Purpurea is a lot easier to grow

than other varieties, why not just use it?

Dr Vogel took some seeds home and started to cultivate

them. His work led to scientific studies in Germany, and

eventually Echinacea made its way back to popularity

in North America.

Dr. Vogel describes how he cured a case of blood poisoning

in the traditional way: he chewed roots and leaves, swallowed

the juice, and then packed his injured leg with the masticated

mess. It worked like a charm.

He also used Echinacea tincture daily during a trip to

a malaria-infested region in the Amazon. He was exposed

but never suffered even for a day.

Great stuff, and I still need to make this year's tincture.

I never got around to it last fall. The plants have come

up but are still just leaves close to the ground. I figure

if I use the whole plant the tincture will be as powerful

as if it was just roots.

Ien in the Kootenayshttp://kootenaygarden.blogspot.comhttp://backyardbusiness.info

May 8, 2010

Bryan and all. I bought a pound of echinacea purpurea seed. As a kid my

grandmother had it in her herb gardenand it was fairly common to see it in the

wild. twas overharvested by freeloaders and is rare here now. Am determined to

get it going again. That and several other herbs that are native to my section

of WNC. Now the land is posted and I patrol it. I bought 3 golden seal last

year and set them in 3 diff locations to see how they would do. 2 did well, the

other is only so-so. Next year, if I can afford it I plan to get a hundred 2

year old roots to set out in the good areas. I am doing this in the wild to

promolgate, not to harvest for sale, but for mine and my families use and

re-establishment in the wild. Planting about a dozen other native herbs as well.

Have a forest of blood root.

Planning a family brunch- Poke salad, branch lettuce, ramps, ham and eggs,

sauteed morels. All on a campfire at the harvest area. Beside a mountain creek.

Tradition!

John