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                                  �Echinacea �
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    The beauty of Echinacea is equal its value medicinally. The intense
    purple rosy and daisy-like flowers outshine most flowers in the herb
    garden. Even the Monarch butterflies find it attractive. This perennial
    plant's natural habitats are the prairies and dry plains of North
    America, mainly in the U.S.A., from southern Saskatchewan and Manitoba,
    down into Texas.

    The most common species of purple coneflowers are E.angustifolia,
    E.purpurea and E.pallida. E.angustifolia is in most demand
    medicinally though the other two mentioned species are just as
    effective when properly prepared. Below is a brief botanical
    description of the three common species:

      E.angustifolia - is smaller and delicate, grows to 2 ft. Leaves
    are lanceolate with smooth margins. Flower petals do not droop
    but spread outward from the seed-head.

      E.purpurea - grows to 5 ft. A robust plant with many ovate
    leaves. Leaf margins are toothed. Flowers are large with petals
    drooping towards the stem.

      E.pallida - grows to 3 ft. Leaves are lanceolate with smooth
    margins. The colour of the flowers vary from purple to white and
    are drooping.
          The part of the plant used in herbal preparations is
    traditionally the root. When eating the fresh root an unusual
    tingling, numbing sensation occurs in the mouth and increases
    saliva flow. This anesthetic-like effect is also present in the
    seeds when sprouted. It is a good indicator as to how fresh the
    Echinacea preparation is.
       With today' attention on immune deficiency diseases, this is
    one herb we cannot overlook. Research in Europe indicates that
    Echinacea does stimulate the immune system. This occurs when the
    polysaccharides present in the plant, (complex carbohydrates
    which convert into sugars), stimulate the T cell lymphocytes,
    which in turn increases the production of interferon. This
    interferon activity protects cells against viral and bacterial
    infections. One polysaccharide named echinacin B has been
    isolated from E.angustifolia & E.purpurea and its' effect is
    healing for inflammations, wounds and swellings.

       Echinacea also contains an essential oil which has been tested
    in the treatment of tumors.One case history involves a strong
    reaction to mosquito and black-fly bites. Symptoms are abnormal
    skin swellings and swollen lymph nodes. Echinacea taken internally
    reduced the swellings.

    Echinacea is most effective when used in its' fresh state. If you
    are buying dried roots chew a piece first, if there is no numbing
    sensation in the mouth then the roots are old or improperly dried.
    E.angustifolia dries well, though reports indicate that this species
    is sometimes substituted with E.purpurea or E.pallida and sold as
    E.angustifolia. The roots are best harvested in fall. Being a native
    plant this is one instance where we do not have to rely on importation
    and we should encourage the local herb farming of this species,
    (although it does take at least 3 years for the roots to mature and
    make it worthwhile digging up the plant).

    Dosage of Echinacea tincture* is up to 30 drops, 3 times a day for
    adults depending on the seriousness of the ailment. The tincture
    is usually taken for the duration of the illness, but of course
    there is a saying that you can take too much of a good thing, and
    this is true with Echinacea. For example if you drink coffee
    every day the pick me up effect will eventually over stimulate
    you or will cease to work. Do not ingest Echinacea continuously
    over a long period of time, give your body a periodic rest from
    the immune stimulation.

    The only observed side effect from ingesting Echinacea is nausea,
    although this is rare. It usually indicates that the body is full
    of toxins, so decrease your intake of the herb.