Edited 2009

ECHINACEA

- in every herbalist's TOP TEN!

Echinacea is one of the most popular herbs bought over the counter. UK Retailers have reported an extra surge this year - even more than the usual seasonal demand - as customers stock up to fight off 'flu, and other Winter ailments.

One leading UK company was selling 5 times its usual weekly average during early January. A busy UK health food store said; "we bought enough Echinacea for Christmas and the New Year - but sold out within 72 hours".

So what makes Echinacea so popular. And is it partly hype?

It's certainly not the catchy name, which many people struggle to pronounce, which has made it popular! (It's eck-in-ay- cia, if you want to be sure.) No - the reason for its popularity is, IT WORKS!
      

• Cat's Claw
• Pau D'Arco
• Marigold (also called Calendula - the latin name
• Poke Root
• Garlic
• Myrrh.

So what sets Echinacea apart from these other herbal Immune System boosters?

It is Echinacea's power.

In herbal terms, Echinacea is 'stimulating', and is an 'alterative'.

Its stimulating effect means that it boosts a weakened body, and helps give the Immune System the energy to fight off an infection.

An alterative is a herbal term which means 'alters disease processes'. In other words, it 'persuades' the body to change its path from sickness towards health.

Other herbs have this 'alterative' property - eg Burdock and Red Clover; but NONE combines the 'alterative' property with an 'Immune System booster' as does Echinacea.

THIS IS ECHINACEA'S SECRET

WE HAVE THE AMERICAN INDIANS TO THANK
Echinacea is one of the main herbs introduced to us by the American Indians. They have used it for centuries for all manner of treatment - such as snake bites, and treating wounds.

Echinacea's use for healing wounds has been highlighted by Douglas Schar - a specialist in disease-preventing medicinal plants - in the British Journal of Phytotherapy (vol 5/2 1998). In this article he says that wound management is a huge problem in hospitals. It's a problem not only after surgery, but also with cases of bed sores, leg ulcers, and in many other
situations.

Schar further says: "Echinacea angustifolia's use as a wound healing agent seems to have been entirely forgotten ... and needs to be resurrected."

The 'Eclectic' herbalists (a herbal group of the early 20th century) made great use of Echinacea. In fact, they claimed it was they who discovered Echinacea angustifolia - not the American Indians.

One of the 'Eclectic's' leaders - Finley Ellingwood - highlighted the importance of using the 'angustifolia' variety, rather than the inferior 'purpurea'. He then mentions several instances in which Echinacea angustifolia was used directly on sores with excellent benefits. He says:

       "In bed sores, fever sores and chronic ulcerations it is
       exceedingly useful. It is diluted and applied directly,
       while it is given internally. It is of much value in old
       tibial (leg) ulcers... and specific skin disorders."

[Next: Is it safe to put herbs directly onto a wound?]

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