This medicinal herb is commonly found growing in the wild, and in backyard gardens and borders as a decorative flower. Also called the purple coneflower, this plant is in the daisy family. I grow it in my own backyard paradise.
Once known primarily for preventing and easing colds, echinacea has become one of the top selling herbal supplements, and for good reasons. This pretty flower has many health benefits.
Echinacea contains a compound called echinacein that protects healthy cells from viruses and bacteria that are trying to invade them. The herb is beneficial in helping the body heal quickly from colds, flus, sinus infections, bronchitis, sore throats, hay fever, canker sores and ear infections. It also heals gingivitis, eases an enlarged prostate, reduces the size of enlarged lymph nodes and clears up urinary tract and yeast infections. Echinacea purifies the blood and has powerful anti-inflammatory properties.
Echinacea has potent immune boosting properties. It is also a natural painkiller for headaches, toothaches and body aches.
Used as a topical ointment or salve, echinacea soothes and heals skin conditions such as irritations, psoriasis, eczema, boils, scrapes, wounds, bug bites, bee stings and sunburns.
Echinacea can be taken in capsule form, as a tincture, or used fresh or dried to make tea. It can be purchased in health stores or health conscious grocery stores. See link below to buy echinacea online. The flowers are perennials and very easy to grow. I use the leaves and flowers, freshly picked, to make hot tea, although the entire plant has health benefits.
I cover the leaves and a flower in boiling water and steep for at least 15 minutes. I especially like adding lime slices to my echinacea tea. When my flowers are in season and blooming, echinacea goes into my daily afternoon tea rotation. Anthony William recommends using echinacea for short periods of time, a few days to two weeks, to support the immune system without overstimulating it.
Order echinacea below.
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