| Commonly known as the purple
coneflower, this perennial species of the Asteraceae family is known
as echinacea and is indigenous to the central United States. Nine
species of echinacea grow in the United States. Echinacea
angustifolia or ‘narrow-leaved’ coneflower has been the preferred
species among herbalists and its tremendous popularity has severely
decreased its native population. The cultivated garden variety,
Echinacea purpurea or ‘purple coneflower’ is easier to grow and
less endangered so it has become the more commonly utilized species.
Echinacea pallida or ‘pale-flowered coneflower’ is also used,
but is also a rarer species. Apollo Herbs uses organically cultivated
Echinacea angustifolia and purpurea roots, flowers and
seeds to make our products. The name echinacea comes from the Greek,
‘echinops’ meaning ‘urchin or hedgehog’ in reference to its spiny
cone. It was traditionally used by the plains Indians as a cure for
rattlesnake bites. Today it is the most popular immunostimulatory herb
used in natural medicine. Echinacea’s immune-enhancing activities are
attributed to its water-soluble high-molecular-weight polysaccharides.
These complex molecules mimic the molecular structure of certain
polysaccharides found in bacterial cell walls thus tricking the immune
system and triggering its activation. Echinacea also contains
oil-soluble alkylamides (mainly isobutylamides) as well as cichoric
acid & flavonoids. It is effective in preventing & treating the common
cold, sore throat, laryngitis, bronchial & urinary tract infections,
herpes simplex, gingivitis, infected, hard-to-heal wounds, eczema,
psorrhiasis, etc. Echinacea is known to impart an acrid, tingling
sensation on the tongue of the user. When taken in a hydroalcoholic
extract, it is said to stimulate lymphatic tissue in the mouth,
thereby initiating an immune response. Clinically, it has been shown
to stimulate phagocytosis, increase white blood cells, spleen cells &
T-helper cells. It has also been shown to increase respiration and to
cause increased motility of leukocytes. It has anti-bacterial and
anti-viral properties and is contra-indicated for people with
auto-immune disorders such as HIV, lupus erythematosus, or rheumatoid
arthritis. |
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