Common name: purple coneflower.
Botanical names: Echinacea angustifolia, E. pallida, E. purpurea,
family Asteraceae.
English names: Echinacea, American cone flower, snakeroot.
Parts used: Roots (E. pallida, E. angustifolia, E. purpurea) and
aerial parts (E. purpurea).
Habitat and origin: all species of coneflowers are native to North
America. Three of them have the same medicinal value. Natural stands of
Echinacea mainly colonized the American Great Plains without crossing the
Canadian border to the north, or to reach the Mexican border in the south.
Today, they are cultivated in all temperate climates, in sunny locations where
the soil is rich and well drained.
History:
Echinacea has
a long and intriguing history of use. For
hundreds of years, the Plains Indians used it as an antiseptic, an analgesic,
and to treat poisonous insect and snakebites, toothaches, sore throat, wounds
and communicable diseases such as mumps, smallpox, and measles. It was also
used by the Cheyenne, Choctaw, Comanche, Dakota, Meskawaki Fox, Pawnee, Sioux,
and Omaha tribes. It was used as a
treatment for saddle sores on horses. Echinacea became known in Europe around
1895. Many research studies done by doctors in Germany indicated that echinacea
is effective primarily by increasing the number of white blood cells, thus
boosting the immune system and thereby increasing the body's ability to fight
infections.
active
substances
Alkaloids
indolizidiniques derived amino acid and have a nitrogen atom in a heterocyclic
ring system.
Indolizidiniques
alkaloids derived from L-lysine and have a core feature of the indolizidine.
Castanospermine
and swansonine acids are indoliziniques.
Properties
indoliziniques alkaloids are:
Inhibition of
proliferation and tumor dissemination
immunomodulatory
action
Stimulating
the production of interleukin-2 and T cell proliferation
Activity
against retroviruses (HIV), due to the ability to interfere with the functions
of the envelope glycoprotein of the virus.
Action against
cytomegalovirus (CMV)
Echinacea is so effective because it actually mimics the actions of a
chemical the human body produces called interferon, which basically shields
cells from viral infection. As an anti-viral, the herb is capable of
building-up the body's immune system according to German researchers, by
increasing the amount of T-cells, white-blood cells in the body that fight
infection, by 30 percent. An article by the University of Pittsburgh called
"About Echinacea" goes into further detail about Echinacea A. healing
properties, stating that it contains many chemical components such as essential
oils, Vitamin B1, B2, and B3, kaempferol, and terpenoids just to name a few, in
addition to the natural anti-biotics echinacoside and echinacein, that all
allow the plant to neutralize enzymes that invade cells and attack healthy
tissues. Echinacea
has very complex molecules whose structure is very similar to what is found on
the surface of bacteria or other microbes. It is believed that echinacea
simulates microbial invasion and alert the entire immune system! It is a bit
like an alarm,Preventing leukopenia caused by radiotherapy or chemotherapy. In the late 1980s, German researchers launched a series of preliminary clinical trials aimed at determining if a preparation containing extracts of Echinacea, wild indigo and white cedar could minimize the adverse effects of radiotherapy, particularly for what is the drop in white blood cells (leukopenia).
Echinacea can also be used externally. Although not normally available commercially, injections and topical use can be helpful in improving skin conditions like herpes lesions, sunburn, eczema and wounds.
Physical Action: Summary
Traditionally used by American Indians to fight
infections (colds, tonsillitis ...), biting snakes, cutannees diseases,
intestinal pain, etc.. Today its use is limited mainly to the stimulation of
the immune system to treat and prevent infections of upper and lower
respiratory tract and other viral, bacterial or fungal infections. It is very
popular in Germany and is approved as a treatment support during respiratory
infections or urinary tract. Fungal infections as Candida albicans and Listeria,
monocytogenes, chronic fatigue syndrome, chronic arthritis, cancer, chronic
pelvic infections, etc.. It is also used in topical form in Europe in order to
accelerate wound healings due to injuries, burns, herpes or inflammatory
disorders (eczema. ..)
How use?
Infusion. : Infuse for 10 minutes, 1 g of roots or dried aerial
parts in 1 cup of boiling water. Drink
from 1 to 6 per day.
Decoction : Boil for 5 to 10 minutes, 1 g of roots of Echinacea
in 1 cup of water. Take up to three cups per day.
Capsules.: Containing only powder capsules for roots or aerial
parts, it is recommended to take the
equivalent of 1 g, 3 times a day.
NOTE: A report on mayo clinic suggests that people with autoimmune diseases
should consult a physician before using this plant. Be careful with duration of use as a treatment too
long, it can cause immuno-suppressant (inversion effect)
References:
Schapowal A, Berger D, et al. Eur J Med Res. 2009 Sep 1;14(9):406-12. Echinacea/sage or
chlorhexidine/lidocaine for treating acute sore throats: a randomized
double-blind trial.
Linde
K, Barrett B, et al. Echinacea for preventing and treating the common cold.Cochrane Database Syst
Rev. 2006 Jan
25;(1):CD000530.
Cohen HA, Varsano I, et al. Effectiveness of an herbal preparation containing echinacea, propolis,
and vitamin C in preventing respiratory tract infections in children: a
randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter study.Arch
Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2004 Mar;158(3):217-21.
Pochernyayeva VF. Echinacea symposium presents new research on Chernobyl
victims. 1999 (June); International Echinacea Symposium (Kansas City), American
Herbal Products Association.
Bendel R, Bendel V, et al. [Additional treatment
with Esberitox N in patients with chemo-radiotherapy treatment of advanced
breast cancer]. Onkologie 1989 Jun;12 Suppl 3:32-8.
Freeman C, Spelman K. A critical evaluation
of drug interactions with Echinacea spp. Mol
Nutr Food Res. 2008
Jul;52(7):789-98. Review.
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