Family: Compositae.

Synonyms: Narrow-leaved purple coneflower, Sampson root, Black Sampson, Red sunflower and Echinacea.

Parts Used: Roots

Active Compounds

Echinacea supports the immune system. Several constituents in echinacea team together to increase the production and activity of white blood cells, lymphocytes, and macrophages. Echinacea also increases the production of interferon, an important part of the body’s response to viral infections such as the flu.

Medicinal Action and Uses

Alterative, antiseptic, tonic, depurative, maturating, febrifuge.

Echinacea is used for:

• Canker sores (mouth ulcers)
• Common cold/sore throat
• Crohn’s disease
• Gingivitis (periodontal disease)
• Immune function
• Influenza (flu)
• Recurrent ear infection
• Yeast infection

Echinacea has been used to treat infections. There are some anecdotal reports of using echinacea for AIDS, more research needs to be done in that area before any conclusions can be reached.