Herb library

Echinacea

Echinacea purpurea

Echinacea, especially Echinacea purpurea, is a familiar garden and kitchen herb, traditionally used in home remedies for supporting short-term immune comfort and soothing minor throat irritation. It is a simple, friendly herb to have on the pantry shelf for seasonal use.

Traditionally used for.

• •Traditionally used as a short-term remedy to support the body during common seasonal upsets, especially when beginning to feel run-down.
• •Traditionally used as a long-standing household remedy for soothing sore or scratchy throats when taken as a warm drink or gargle.
• •Traditionally used in compresses or washes for minor skin irritations and to help calm inflamed spots when applied externally.

Simple preparations.

• •Tea infusion: steep 1 level teaspoon dried Echinacea purpurea root or 1 tablespoon fresh chopped root or leaf per cup of just-boiled water, cover and steep 10 to 15 minutes, strain, drink up to 3 cups a day while symptoms are present.
• •Glycerin or honey syrup: simmer 1 part dried Echinacea root or chopped fresh root in 4 parts water gently for 20 minutes, strain, sweeten with honey or preserve with vegetable glycerin to make a syrup, take 1 to 2 teaspoons as needed for throat comfort (note honey is not for children under one year).
• •Compress or gargle: make a strong infusion with 2 tablespoons dried herb per pint of boiling water, steep 20 minutes, cool to warm; use as a warm compress over the chest or throat, or as a gargle several times a day for sore throat relief.

Cautions.

• !Some people may have allergic reactions to Echinacea, especially those allergic to plants in the daisy family, stop use if you develop rash or breathing difficulty.
• !Use short term only: many herbalists advise limiting Echinacea use to brief periods rather than continuous long-term use.
• !Not recommended for people with certain autoimmune disorders or those on immune-modulating medications without medical advice, check with your doctor about use during pregnancy, breastfeeding, or with existing health conditions.

Often kept beside.