Description

The native American pale-purple coneflower blooms from June to September, transforming our gardens into a pink and purple sea of blossom throughout almost the entire summer. In Europe it is cultivated mainly as an ornamental plant and can grow to a height of up to one meter (three feet). At the top of the stem is a single large flowerhead which is quite impressive. The tension between the brownish-orange tubular disc flowers and the pinkish-purple ray flowers is one of the main features of its unconventional beauty. In full bloom, the 15 to 20 drooping ligulate ray flowers surround the conically arched seed head like the brim of a hat. Another outstanding feature of the pale-purple coneflower is its astonishing pattern of scent production. When it begins to flower and the tongues of the ray flowers are pointed upwards, the flower has practically no scent. In full bloom, the tongues are bent back and droop rather limply. Now the flower exudes a fine honey-like fragrance which attracts bees, butterflies and other insects. As soon as the disc flowers have been pollinated by the busy helpers the perfume takes on a vanilla-like aroma. On windy days in particular, the almost walnut-sized flowerhead needs the full strength of the slender, hairy stem. The lance-shaped leaves of the coneflower are also rough and hairy. In North America the tap-rooted plant, which extends its root deep into the earth, grows particularly on the dry chalky soil of the prairies and

on sandbanks. In Europe the pale-purple coneflower is successfully cultivated on almost all garden soils.

Uses

In the cold season echinacea plays an important role in the prevention and treatment of colds and flu-like infections. The nonspecific stimulation of the immune system supports and enhances the natural defenses giving the body greater power to ward off different types of pathogens such as viruses, bacteria and protozoa. Echinacea is often used internally to support the treatment of recurrent infections of the airways and the lower urinary tract. We owe our knowledge about the medicinal uses of echinacea largely to the North American Indians. It was one of their most important medicinal plants and was used traditionally to heal febrile illnesses, insect bites, poorly healing wounds and even snake bites. Originally echinacea was used particularly for the treatment of open wounds. It was effective in all inflammatory-febrile processes following injuries. The suitability of echincea for wound healing and for the treatment of skin diseases derives from its anti-inflammatory and antiseptic action and its reduction of swelling. Echinacea has practically no relevance for the preparation of teas as most of its constituents are lost on drying.

Interesting Facts

The scientific name of the pale-purple coneflower comes from the Greek "echinos" = hedgehog, and appropriately describes the spiny appearance of the flowerhead. At the end of the 19th century, white settlers in North America discovered the importance of the pale-purple coneflower, which had long been used by the Indians as medicinal plant. The homeopath Dr. Meyer watched an Indian woman crush an echinacea plant between stones. She also showed him how he could treat wounds and injuries with the fresh plant pulp. Around 1870 he put the world's first echinacea preparation on the market in the mid-west of the USA under the name "Meyer's Blood Purifier". Initially he did not even know the name of the medicinal plant which was so successful in the treatment of numerous complaints. He later had it identified by Lloyd Brothers in Cincinnati, the largest suppliers of herbal drugs in North America at that time. At the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century there was such a boom in the sale of echinacea that it became the most frequently sold herbal drug in the USA.

The plant from another perspective

With its numerous essential oils, the entire echinacea plant is permeated with warming substances and can act as an antibiotic. Even the echinacea root contains a large quantity of essential oil. This can be seen from the numerous gray secretory canals of the rootstock. With its tap root, the echinacea draws its strength from the terrestrial forces and is at the same time formed by the warming aerial element. With its pronounced relationship to the warmth element it is a plant which has a marked relationship to the human ego organization and is able to strengthen and stimulate it. Strengthening the ego activity is necessary in persons with a tendency towards inflammatory processes. The flower grows openly like a vegetative organ and is not enveloped in a closed, protective bud. With the growth of the stem it is slowly lifted more and more towards the aerial. The stem is pulled down by the weight of the massive flowerhead, fights against it, seems to strive towards the vertical and straightens itself up again and again. This gives us the picture of a winding, climbing stem bending back and forth. The almost wiry stem formation and the aspiring towards a labile vertical position are reflected in the character of this medicinal plant with its striking drive towards the vertical. Echinacea, with its remarkably controlled vegetative power, is always close to the border of solidification in woody permanent organs. These

stimulate greater activity of the forming, ordering, and gestalt-giving powers of the organism.

The plant in our products

For the production of essences, the entire echinacea flowering stems are harvested from the medicinal herb garden of WALA Heilmittel GmbH in July and the roots in the winter.

Echinacea is contained in Dr. Hauschka Clarifying Toner and Dr. Hauschka Med Labimint Acute Lip Care.

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