Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea, E. angustifolia, E.pallida)

Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea, E. angustifolia, E.pallida) :

Echinacea is native to North America and its use was gleaned from Native healers. Now it is an herbal sensation, being one of a handful of medicinal herbs known by the general public. This has been bad news for native stands of Echinacea that have been wiped out by unscrupulous wildcrafters. Currently there is a plea to stop gathering this plant from the wild, and instead to cultivate it yourself or from a respected herbal grower.
There are several species of Echinacea that can  be used: E. angustifolia, E.purpurea, and E. pallida. Dr.
Sharol Tilgner says all three are interchangeable, although E. angustifolia can last longer after it’s been dried.

Mostly the root is harvested, but it’s common to see medicine made out of the aerial portions as well. To harvest the roots for the most medicinal qualities it’s recommended to harvest them in the fall after they have been growing three years. At this point they have the highest amount of alkaloids found in them. The aerial portions can be harvested in the summer no matter the age of the plant. Remember when harvesting aerial portions to leave enough of the plant remaining for it to gather enough energy for the next year’s growth.
Herbalist Gregory Tilford says the popularity of Echinacea in the herbal market has led to its addition into all sorts of strange products such as shampoo and energy drinks. Although most of us know Echinacea as the cold and flu herb there are many herbalists that disagree with this use and recommend it more specifically for sepsis or other systemic infections.
Still some herbalists agree that it has immunomodulating properties, and say it’s best to take it frequently at the very beginning of a cold or flu. Herbalist Stephen Buhner reports that Echinacea supports the immune
system by stimulating leukocytes, which in turn can kill pathogens in the body, and it also has anti-bacterial qualities that can stop the spread of pathogens as well. This can also make it a useful in the case of bladder infections.
Traditionally Echinacea was often used externally for infected wounds, spider bites, and snake bites. The following are simple instructions to make a decoction of the root to use as a tea or an external wash for infected wounds.In the case of the latter, for best results use it internally and externally.
Echinacea Decoction:
• Place 1 ounce of dried Echinacea root in a small saucepan.
• Cover with one pint of cold water.
• Slowly bring to a light boil, and reduce heat so that it slowly simmers.
Simmering time can vary between 10 and 40 minutes. Some herbalists recommend simmering until the liquid is reduced to half of its original volume.
• Once done, remove from heat, strain, and use this as a beverage or external wash. For hard-to-reach external areas, you can soak a washcloth with the solution and place it on the affected area.