The Benefits of Echinacea: What You Need to Know

Echinacea is an icon of the herbal world. Its connection to immune support and its history of medicinal use in North America has given this flower some serious power in the minds of many. One market report from the American Botanical Council listed Echinacea as the eleventh most popular herb in the United States in 2021, generating more than $40 million in sales.

So, what has given Echinacea its status as a staple? Let’s dive into some of Echinacea root benefits.

HISTORY OF ECHINACEA

Echinacea’s Early Use

The use of the Echinacea plant has been dated back to the Native Americans as early as the 1600s. Echinacea was considered the ultimate cure for many different medical conditions. Historically, this herb was believed to cure everything from headaches to blood infections during that time. Echinacea’s ability to help manage swelling and infection made it a popular choice for insect and snake bites as well. Prior to the introduction of antibiotics, Echinacea was used to treat malaria, diphtheria, scarlet fever, and several other life-threatening conditions. Today, it is used more frequently for acute immune support and symptom management for colds and flu rather than direct treatment of an ailment.

Echinacea is a perennial herb that usually grows well in the midwestern portion of North America. This herb is characterized by the following physical features:

• Tall stems
• A central cone that is brown or purple in color
• Either pink or purple flowers

It is considered part of the Aster or Daisy family. Due to its popularity, Echinacea, especially the angustifolia species, was over-harvested in the wild, causing the United States Fish and Wildlife Service to classify the herb as endangered on October 8, 1992. Let’s take a look at how the Purple Coneflower can provide immune support and help you feel better.

HOW DOES ECHINACEA WORK?

The reason Echinacea is so effective is twofold: both the echinacea root and the aerial part of the plant benefit the human body.

The roots and aerial parts of the plant contain high levels of phenolic acids, polysaccharides and volatile oils. Polysaccharides found in edible sources, like Echinacea, have been linked to helping our immune systems respond to illness and infection. Using the whole plant, both the roots and aerial portions can make Echinacea more effective.

Now, it’s time to look at some of the ways the chemical components of Echinacea can benefit us.

THREE STELLAR BENEFITS OF ECHINACEA

1. Echinacea may reduce common cold and flu-like symptoms. This is one of the most common uses of the herb. It’s been said that those who take Echinacea at the start of cold symptoms can better manage their symptoms and potentially see a reduction of those symptoms by as much as four days.
2. Echinacea may help reduce inflammation and pain. Echinacea is packed with antioxidants which are known for relieving oxidative stress, therefore, potentially reducing inflammation. Some research has suggested Echinacea health benefits include treating with inflammation and pain due to its immune-boosting effects, although this has never been definitively proven.
3. Echinacea can help manage symptoms of common infections. This includes common infections like ear and yeast infections. Externally, Echinacea has also been used to treat skin wounds and skin infections.

HOW CAN I PREPARE ECHINACEA?

So how to use Echinacea? There are a few ways you can prepare Echinacea to take advantage of its immune-boosting qualities, including:

Echinacea tea
Boil one teaspoon of the Echinacea root in 8–10 ounces of water. Echinacea leaves and tops can be used as well but can be steeped rather than boiled. Consume 8–12 ounces up to four times a day.

Echinacea extract
Cover the root with vodka (or 60% grain alcohol) and let it sit for two weeks (shake daily). Take 10–60 drops every few hours for acute conditions.

WHERE CAN I GET ECHINACEA?: FIND QUALITY ECHINACEA AND OTHER HERBS AT HERB CO.

If you’re ready to give Echinacea a try, but don’t know where to start, check out our wholesale Echinacea page to learn more. We offer a variety of Echinacea products to help you feel your best. If you have questions about our Echinacea offerings or any of our other herbs, you can get in touch with a team member on our contact page.

Disclaimer: Information and statements about the products on this site have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. You should not use the information contained herein for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or for prescribing any medication. We recommend that you consult with a qualified healthcare practitioner before using any herbal products, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, or on any medications.