Echinacea: Guardian at the Gates
Immune system strengthener, healer of soils, and friend to bees
Following the rhythm of the seasons, I’m planning to let my writing rest dormant a bit over the winter. I’ll be putting out 1-2 articles a month instead of the usual 4-5, and to take a break from these plant articles until specific plants are calling to me. I’m wrangling with some ideas about rewilding healthcare, how time pressure decreases our morality, and boundaries in healthcare. As those wranglings coalesce into something, I’ll be around.
Echinacea is one of those plants that has called out to me. In a guided meditation, she stepped forward as a plant who could bring me closer to God. Learning about this plant’s spirit this week, it makes a lot of sense. It helps us let go of old stories and discern what is ours to do and to protect ourselves from harmful forces. A brilliant purple sun, she is charismatic to many species: bees, butterflies, birds, elk, humans.
Identification
In our neck of the woods, the most common echinacea is Echinacea purpurea, the Eastern purple coneflower. It is also the most commonly cultivated for medicinal uses.
Flowers have 15-20 pink or purple petals that are 1.5-3 inches long and ¼-¾ inch wide.
Leaves are long, can be wider at the base of the leaf and taper to a point. They are 3-6 inches long and 1-3 inches wide. Leaves are serrated.
Stems are mostly unbranched and brownish green.
How to Harvest
Leaves and Stems
Harvest healthy looking leaves and stems in the summer and early autumn, starting the first year of growth. Leave at least 2 sets of leaves to promote future growth. In general my herbalism teacher, Heather Mashuga, recommends only collecting the top third of plants.
Flowers and Cones
Harvest healthy looking flowers in summer or early autumn starting in the first year of growth.
Roots
Harvest roots in the autumn starting after the third year of growth.
As a general rule, I think about where the energy of the plant is to decide when to harvest. So the energy is in the tree bark before trees leaf out (late winter/early spring), the leaves of plants in the spring, flowers in the summer, back to the roots in the fall.
Roots and seeds contain the highest concentration of beneficials phytochemicals. It is worth taking that into consideration because roots should only be harvested from well-established vigorous plants. There were more phytochemicals found in plants grown in drier, lower fertility soils. The phytochemicals were similar in plants grown alone (monoculture) or mixed with other flowers and grasses (polyculture). Because of the other ecosystem services of polyculture, that is preferable if you are planning to grow your own since it won’t compromise the medicinal effect.
People were concerned that wild harvesting of echinacea was a major driver of its threatened and endangered status in many states. It is always important to use principles of honorable harvest when using wild plants for food and medicine.
However, research has shown that plants re-sprout over half of the time after common wild harvesting techniques. In other words, converting prairie to agricultural fields, use of herbicide, overgrazing, development, and gas and oil field development are much bigger drivers of decline than wild harvesting.
How to Prepare as Medicine
Make tincture from seeds, flowers, leaves, and stem (the top third of the plant). Chop it and place in a jar. Place alcohol (brandy or vodka) in the jar in a 2:1 ratio (2 parts alcohol to 1 part plant material).
This is also a lovely recipe for echinacea herbal syrup, which can be taken straight or added to tea.
Medicinal Uses
Unless otherwise noted, my source for these medicinal uses is either my herbalism teacher, Heather Mashuga. Heather is an herbalist, so she relies on information from that tradition rather than the biomedical system. There are not necessarily randomized controlled trials to prove all of these uses. Juliette de Bairaclii-Levy recommends only using Echinacea 1-2 weeks per month maximum because of its immune stimulating power (Baïracli-Levy 57). Heather Mashuga advises that it is contraindicated in autoimmune illnesses like lupus, multiple sclerosis, and rheumatoid arthritis, tuberculosis, some cancers, and some echinacea products are contraindicated in HIV/AIDS.
General:
Stimulates the immune system and helps the body fight off illnesses
Works well in combination with elderberries to stimulate the immune system
Cardiovascular:
Improves circulation
Gastrointestinal:
Useful for dysentery (Baïracli-Levy 57)
Skin:
Used for sores, abscesses, and wounds, especially in combination with plantain
Echinacea roots contain caffeic acid, which facilitates wound healing. (Shimer 60)
Infectious Disease:
Antibacterial
Antiviral
Native American Uses
Because echinacea is only native to North America, indigenous Americans have the most experience with this plant and knowledge of its uses. According to herbalist Melvin Gilmore, echinacea was used “as a remedy for more ailments than any other plant.” (Shimer 59) Linda Black Elk notes that the plant has been used in the following ways:
As a poultice of echinacea root for wounds, sores, and swelling
Chew roots and seed heads to relieve toothache, sore throat, tonsillitis, stomach ache, excessive sweating, or to quench thirst
The chewed root and its juices can be applied to burns as well as insect bites and stings
Smoke from the burning root is used to treat headaches in people and distemper in horses
Tincture or decoction of the root boosts immune system function
Other sources note that echinacea was used to treat:
Snake bites (Winnebago, Ponca, Pawnee, Dakota, Omaha, and most tribes in Montana)
Toothache (Dakota, Omaha, Pawnee, Ponca, Teton Sioux, Winnebago)
A tea/wound wash was used as dressing for burns (Dakota, Winnebago, Omaha, Pawnee, and Ponca)
As a painkiller (Cheyenne, Fox, Winnebago, and Dakota)
To stimulate salivation (Cheyenne). This was especially useful to prevent thirst in Sun Dance participants.
Prevent seizures (Fox)
Gastrointestinal symptoms (Fox)
Cough and sore throat (Kiowa chewed root)
Headache (Omaha and Pawnee used smoke from the root for this)
To numb the arms or hands (Omaha used poultice of smashed root for this)
Mumps (Pawnee, Ponca, Dakota, and Winnebago applied poultice to enlarged lymph glands)
To increase endurance in the sweat lodge (Dakota, Pawnee, Ponca, and Winnebago)
Thirst and sweating (Lakota at roots or green fruit)
Tonsillitis (Teton Sioux)
As an eye wash (Omaha and Ponca)
Smallpox (Tea made with echinacea and blazing star)
Boils (roots mixed with puffball spores and skunk oil)
Distemper in horses (smoke from roots used by Ponca, Pawnee, Dakota, and Winnebago)
Medical Evidence
General/Immunology:
Echinacea contains glycoproteins, alkylamides, and polysaccharides that increase activity of the immune system by activating multiple types of white blood cells.
Caffeic acid and chicoric acid are antioxidant and antibacterial chemicals present in echinacea.
Echinacea contains alkylamides, which activates cannabinoid receptors. These receptors cause anti-inflammatory effects and relieve itching and anxiety.
Plants high in alkylamides cause tingling and changes in sensation. They have been used for toothaches, cough, and to increase salivation.
If you really want to geek out on how echinacea acts on the immune system, there is a great summary in this article, but it goes into enough detail about different immune system cells that it’s really difficult to summarize in layman’s terms.
In animal studies, echinacea relieved paw swelling similar to the NSAID medication indomethacin, demonstrating its powerful anti-inflammatory action.
Infectious Disease:
Antiviral, with activity against herpes simplex virus 1 and 2, multiple strains of influenza virus, including avian influenza and swine flu. The best available evidence suggests it does have antiviral activity against SARS-CoV 2, the virus that causes COVID.
Many studies have been done looking at whether echinacea helps to prevent the common cold. An analysis of these studies showed there might be a small, but not statistically significant preventive effect from echinacea. Adverse effects for echinacea and placebo were similar in these studies.
Chicoric acid in echinacea also inhibited the action of an enzyme that inserts HIV viral DNA into the DNA of the host cell. This is a key step in the HIV life cycle.
Antibacterial activity is present against multiple bacteria, but its effectiveness was quite variable depending on the preparation. In that study, based on the abstract (full text was unavailable), it appears alcohol extract (tincture) had the greatest antibacterial effect.
Echinacea reduced the risk of developing respiratory infections by 32% according to a review of multiple studies. It reduced the risk of recurrence by 40%.
In respiratory infections, echinacea alcohol extract reduced the need for antibiotics by 80%
Orthopedic:
A chemical called echinacoside improves bone regeneration and decreases the risk of osteoporosis
Oncology:
Extract from echinacea flowers inhibited the growth of colon cancer cells
Dermatology:
A water/oil emulsion of root extract soothed skin complaints in people with eczema
Mental Health:
Echinacea extracts can decrease anxiety without the impacts on alertness and coordination, like many prescriptions for anxiety medication. In some of the extracts, the range of effective doses was very narrow and we don’t yet understand why.
Contraindications:
As noted above echinacea is generally not recommended in autoimmune illnesses, tuberculosis, leukemia, and some preparations for HIV/AIDS. This is theoretical based on how the chemicals in echinacea act on the immune system. Research trials have not been performed to confirm this.
Adverse Effects
People who have allergies to plants in the daisy family may be allergic to echinacea too. The most common side effects are abdominal pain and nausea. Some children participating in clinical trials involving echinacea developed rashes. Echinacea may interact with some medications that are broken down by the liver (studies have shown conflicting results). There have been cases reported where echinacea caused an elevation in liver enzymes. It may also interact with caffeine and medications that suppress the immune system (usually taken for people who have had organ transplants or who have autoimmune illnesses). Little is known about the safety of using echinacea while pregnant or breastfeeding. The best available evidence says it is safe to use for up for 7 days during the first trimester.
Ecosystem Services
Purple coneflowers are an important source of nectar and pollen for many pollinators including bumblebees and swallowtail butterflies. Their seeds provide food for goldfinches, sparrows, and chickadees. It is a host plant for several species of butterflies and moths. This means that butterflies and moths lay their eggs on the plant and the caterpillars feed on the leaves. Here are some of the many insects that echinacea supports (from Edge of the Woods Nursery):
Long-tongued bees
Bumblebees
Digger bees
Leaf-cutting bees
Carpenter bees
Normandin cuckoo bees
Honey bees
Bee flies
Halictid and short-tongued bees
Green metallic bees
Butterflies and skippers
Monarchs
Sulfurs and whites
Swallowtails
Fritillaries
Silvery spotted skipper
Purple coneflowers have deep taproots that break up compacted soil. They also improve soil health and fertility when they decompose. Purple coneflowers also contain chemicals that are toxic to insect pests like Japanese beetles and Corn Earworms, so planting them near your garden can help with pest control. It is very drought resistant compared to most wildflowers.
History and Folklore
Echinacea was named after the hedgehog. In Greek, echino- means hedgehog. If you have ever touched the center of the flower (where the seeds are), you will understand why. The Ute people refer to Echinacea as “elk root” because they observed that injured elk sought out the plant as treatment (modern observation shows that some animals do know how to use plants medicinally). Echinacea is native to North America, but European settlers brought it back to Europe in the 1700s after learning of its value from Native Americans. Because it is native to North America, most of its uses and stories were passed down through the oral tradition and, thus, are harder to locate on the internet.
Echinacea roots were sometimes chewed as part of ritual purification ceremonies. Echinacea seed heads were also used to brush hair by the Omaha, Lakota, and Ponca people. Pawnee children used stems for play.
Magical Uses
Some believe that placing a single echinacea flower on your brow can increase psychic abilities. Cut coneflowers are believed to bring prosperity to a home. The roots and seeds are said to have the most magical power. Larger pieces of root can be soaked in a carrier oil and used as a protective or anointing oil.
Plant Spirit Medicine
Coneflowers are associated with strength and vitality. Echinacea is said to provide inner strength during trying times. It is a great offering to place spirits and river gods and goddesses.
Flower Essences
Echinacea flower essence is used to stimulate and awaken your consciousness. It helps you let go of old personal stories that prevent your positive growth. It helps us recognize life-enhancing forces and fight off harmful forces. Others suggest it can be used to heal relationships with community and establish roots that connect you to the earth and all beings.
Blessing
Bright star Echinacea Thank you for healing our soils And sharing your riches with our bee, butterfly, and bird kin Thank you for activating our bodies So we can protect ourselves from harmful forces We admire your hardiness Carving out space in the dry and infertile places Please grant us the discernment to let good in and keep bad out Please grant us the strength to bloom where we are planted Please grant us forbearance to endure the hot, dry, infertile times in our lives Please help us to share our nectar, pollen, and seeds with the world
I am partnering with Ellen from ROAR Healing Relationship Trauma, to create a seasonal email retreat called Around the Hearth. We’d love to have you join us if you are:
Looking for a way to tap into the peace, coziness, and renewal of the solstice season
Trying to sink into the rest that comes with darkness rather than getting swept up in busy-ness
Join us for 14 days around the virtual hearth. Connect to old stories, nature, nurturing teas, and yourself. Starting December 18th, every day you’ll get an email with permission, ideas, tips, recipes, and activities to help you ease into the darkest part of the year. Ellen will share how to set boundaries and intentions so this season can be a peaceful time. Amy will share recipes and stories to help you connect with herbal allies and archetypal guides so that you can fortify and tend to yourself and your loved ones. We’ll share tea recipes and tarot, moving meditations and cozy storytime. Plus some bonus succinct holiday plant profiles!
And on Yule, December 21st from 2-3:30pm ET, we’ll host a virtual cozy crafternoon to help you reflect, celebrate, or chill out. We’ll share a few reflection questions. Come as you are and any projects are welcome! Grab your fuzzy socks, a blanket, a candle if you’re feeling witchy, and craft with us!
If you know anyone else who might enjoy this focus on rest, coziness, and peace, we would so appreciated if you would pass this along to them.
The experience will be $11, subscribers can get $4 off with the code YAYYULE. No one will be turned away for lack of funds. Email ellen@roarwellness.co for a code if you need a full or partial discount.
thank you for this, I'm planning my "hedge" for 2025 and while I have yellow, white, and red coneflowers in the yard, I don't have the classic purple. I'm building a crossroads garden next year and this will be part of that new landscape. Have a great break this winter!
Very interesting! I planted three echinaceas in my garden a couple of months ago.