Belonging to the Asteraceae family, the entire plant, including the roots, is used to extract all the medicinal compounds. Used since the indigenous Americans both for external use on wounds and burns and for internal use as a painkiller.
In analogy to the hooks that are present on the flower, the plant (Echinacea purpurea L.) appears to have the "weapons" to defend human health, in fact in the language of flowers it symbolizes strength and health .
MODERN HISTORY
Not being a plant of European origin, the use of Echinacea was discovered by Europeans only in 1700, when the colonists began to use it in folk medicine. In 1880 a German doctor patented a remedy based on Echinacea called "Meyer blood purifier" named after the doctor himself who promised to be the cure for all ills, including snake bites.
At the European level it was recognized as a medicinal plant only in 1916 and from that moment many studies and researches were carried out to understand its effectiveness and its various properties.
ACTIVE PRINCIPLES
Echinacea possesses various active ingredients including glycoproteins, polysaccharides, caffeic acid derivatives, alkaloids, flavonoids and anthocyanins, which operate in a synergistic way, conferring peculiar properties to the plant. In particular, the echinacein derived from caffeic acid stimulates the immune system and has an antibacterial, fungicidal and antiviral action. The essential oils and polyins contained in the plant enhance the antiviral and antifungal action, while the flavonoids give it a broad spectrum anti-inflammatory action.
PROPERTY'
- IMMUNOSTIMULANT AND IMMUNOMODULANT: increases the phagocytic activity of immunocompetent cells: macrophages and white blood cells. It intervenes to limit the exaggerated reactions of the immune system: allergies and autoimmune phenomena.
- ANTI-INFLAMMATORY AND ANTI-HYALURONIDASIC: limits and circumscribes the inflammatory focus.
- ANTIVIRAL AND ANTIBACTERIAL
- VULNERARY AND REPITHELIZING: increases the production of fibroblasts, responsible for the formation of new connective tissue.
- INSECTICIDE: for external use
It is very suitable for treating common respiratory diseases such as colds, coughs, tracheitis, ear infections and flu.
THE DECOCT
It is possible to obtain a drink from the roots of Echinacea by adding a teaspoon of it to a cup of water of about 200 ml.
It is brought to a boil and kept on the fire for 5 minutes. It is then left to infuse for 10 minutes and enjoyed by adding lemon juice or natural sweetener.