The purple coneflower, a true garden beauty, tall and colorful, attracting an array of butterflies and other wildlife, has been a part of our native culture for centuries. This plant helped bring natural medicine to mainstream awareness. It emerged as a strong player through the AIDS crisis.

Name: Echinacea sps, purple coneflower

Where found: native to North America, found in the prairies west of Ohio. It’s a member of the Aster family. If you have any allergies to ragweed, marigolds, or daisies, try in tiny amounts or avoid them. It grows from 2-3′ in height, and is excellent food for butterflies and moths. Echinacea purpurea, angustifolia, and purpurea are the most common varieties used in herbal tinctures, teas, and related preparations.

Parts used: When I first began studying herbalism many years ago, we discussed the use of echinacea root. When you chew a piece of the root, it leaves a distinct, almost numbing taste and quality, which is a good way to ID the plant. At that time, the root was used to prepare several herbal preparations, including teas and tinctures. Subsequently, studies were conducted on the stems, leaves, and flowers, which also exhibit the same properties as the root. Today, echinacea farms grow and harvest the entire plant for the herbal supplement industry.

Actions: The Sioux, the Cherokee, and even Russia have tested and used this plant. In recent years, this plant has received considerable attention in studies that show it has some impact on immune function, specifically by increasing white blood cell counts.

• From the NCCIH.gov:Taking echinacea after you catch a cold has not been shown to shorten the time that you’ll be sick.
• Taking echinacea while you’re well may slightly reduce your chances of catching a cold. However, the evidence on this point isn’t completely certain. Currently, the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) is funding research to identify the active constituents in echinacea and to study the effects of substances from bacteria that inhabit echinacea plants on the human immune system.
• WebMD states: ” Extracts of echinacea do seem to affect the immune system, your body’s defense against germs. Research shows it increases the number of white cells, which fight infections. A review of more than a dozen studies published in 2014 found that the herbal remedy had a very slight benefit in preventing colds.

Uses: Teas, decoctions, tinctures. In older herbals, it was used to help rid the body of toxins. Dr Mercola claims 10 benefits of echinacea, one of which may help shorten the duration of a cold. Studies are underway since the sales of herbal medicines have soared and cannot be ignored over OTCs.

What’s the difference?

Each herb has a unique collection of constituents that drive its action at the cellular level.

It appears that echinacea increases white blood cell counts, which help fight infection.

Elderberry exerts its effects in various ways. …Dr. Maxwell Crispo, N.D. says: “The antiviral activity of elderberry on influenza was strongest when used in pre-treatment, during infection, and post-infection, rather than when used solely during infection. The study confirmed that elderberry exerts its antiviral activity on influenza through a number of mechanisms of action, including suppressing the entry of the virus into cells, modulating the post-infectious phase, and preventing viral transmission to other cells. Elderberry also upregulates IL-6, IL-8, and TNF, suggesting an indirect effect on viral immune response in the body.”

Also: “black elderberry extract has previously been shown to inhibit human influenza A (H1N1) infection in vitro by binding to H1N1 virions, thereby blocking the ability of the viruses to infect host cells.² The same study showed elderberry to be effective against 10 strains of influenza virus and compared its effectiveness favorably to the known anti-influenza activities of oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and amantadine.”

What to take? Recommendations are to use elderberry as a preventive measure at the onset and throughout the duration of a cold or flu. Echinacea may be more effective at the onset and for the duration, and may even be beneficial for up to 2 weeks afterward. However if you have to take an antibiotic then stop echinacea until you are finished. Both herbs are available in various forms. Teas provide nourishment; capsules and tinctures are more medicinal. Lozenges soothe.

 Suggestions:

1. 1. 1. 1. 1.  Read labels.
            2.  Check botanical names.
            3.  Buy organically grown.
            4.  Use it wisely if you need to see a physician; always disclose which herbal preparations you include in your daily routine.
            5.  There are preparations designed especially for children. I recommend using those for younger ages rather than those designed for adults.

Herbal medicine is slowly catching up in terms of research and well-conducted studies. It takes time. Note that both plants were used effectively long before double-blind studies became the norm. Both plants have several uses, but they are currently attracting attention due to COVID-19. Can they help prevent this strain of flu? Too early to tell. But, like many others, I keep both plants in my home medicine chest.  I worked in the health food industry for many years. Participants often related their success to a positive health response. Some didn’t. These are testimonials. Either way, both plants contribute to a profound understanding of herbal medicine. My native elders would say: “Whatever ails you, nature has the answer.” I hope you will take a walk today and look at the plants available with fresh eyes

We enjoy your comments. Please leave below. Enjoy your day. Judith

Judith Dreyer, MS, BSN, Writer, Speaker, and Workshop Presenter, Master Gardener.

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