ECHINACEA

Echinacea angustifolia, Echinacea purpurea

by Jill Rosemary Davies

A fascinating booklet on the uses, chemistry and history of Echinacea root. It is perhaps the most renowned western herb at present, but it was known to the Native Indian tribes for hundreds of years, long before its uses made its way into European use in the 1950’s. Its use as an ‘immune modulator’ is now widely known as Herbalist Kerry Bone dispelled the myth that it over-activates the immune system. Like Kerry Bone, Jill recognizes that the root is where the main bio-chemistry of ‘alkalamides’ resides and that the species most rich in alkylamides is ‘angustifolia,’ whereas the species ‘purpurea’, which also contains the alkalamides (but in lesser quantity) allows its uptake (in our bodies) over a longer period. Combine the two and you have the ideal Echinacea formula according to Jill. Echinacea can also be used externally for all manner of wounds and helps anything from colds to cystitis internally. Lovely photos throughout.