Echinacea the Wonder Herb

Echinacea purpurea

You have learned how to collect Echinacea roots as well as how to process them into tincture. I thought you might also like some information on how it is used. To see blog on making Echinacea tincture go here.

Common Name: Echinacea

Latin Name: Echinacea spp. (purpurea, angustifolia and pallida are the most common species used by herbalists and N.D.'s)

Echinacea - Latin definition
The below definition comes from Stearn’s Botanical Latin-4th ed.
“Echinatus (adj., armed with numerous small rigid hairs or straight prickles or spines or spiny projections, from echinus, ‘hedgehog, sea-urchin’ hence ‘prickly husk of sweet chestnut’, echinulatus, with very small prickles, echinulate.”

Family: Asteraceae

Species 

Echinacea angustifolia and purpurea are the most commonly used species with Echinacea pallida probably third most used. Echinacea purpurea is used the most which largely has to do with it being easier to grow in many areas than angustifolia. I personally find pallida to be lacking in activity. It also tastes quite different. The root of pallida has an unusual flowery taste quite unlike other roots.  It does not work for me as well as the other two. I prefer angustifolia for long term storage of dry root. It stores better than purpurea. If making a tincture out of them, they are both fine. I tend to use purpurea fresh more than angustifolia as it grows best where I live and is quite active clinically. It stores fine for about 6 months, just looses quality quicker than the angustifolia after that. There are other  spp. which you can also use medicinally such as E.tennesseensis.

If using Echinacea angustifolia only organic should be used to protect the wild Echinacea angustifolia from being wildcrafted out of existence. 

Echinacea purpurea

Historic Use

Echinacea angustifolia - narrow leaved cone flower, was used by many of the native Americans in the Great Plains area of central United States. Locally, they used the plant topically as a poultice for venomous bites such as snake bites and over enlarged glands. It was also used topically for toothaches. They used it for a variety of septic infections.
 

They usually chewed the root and applied it as a poultice or made a tea    to   take internally.

It was introduced to physicians by Dr H.C.F. Meyer and Dr. John King in 1887 as an alterative and antiseptic. The tincture was used both internally and externally in cases of boils, ulcers of the throat and extremities, as well as for wasp/bee stings. Meyer claimed people recovered from rattlesnake bites within 2-12 hours by using the tincture both externally as a wash and ingesting it. In 1906 it started being used by homeopathics and main stream physicians. It was used for infected wounds, septicemia and bites and stings of various poisonous critters. In 1921, & 1922 Echinacea ranked first out of 239 plant remedies sold by the Lloyd Brothers. In a study done a few years ago, it was the 4th largest seller on the U.S. herbal market.

The eclectic physicians used Echinacea to help prevent infection and aid in healing after injuries and surgeries. It was also used in septic conditions (externally as well as internally) such as gangrene, lymphangitis, boils, carbuncles, feverish conditions, and abscesses. In the early 20th century it was used externally over lymph nodes much more than it is now.

Parts used 

Echinacea purpurea root

Root mostly, seeds and flowers also. Juice of the above ground E. purpurea has been used but most herbalists I know don't find it to be very useful. I have used the juice internally and do not find it to be as useful as the root tincture. It may be due to the fact that it has been a preserved juice. I thought perhaps fresh juice would work better. However, I have found the external fresh leafy parts to cause nausea in some people and simply not be very useful internally.  The leaves are helpful as a spit poultice for things like wasp stings.

Echinacea purpurea - root, seed and flowers - As far as I am concerned the best part to tincture is the root - extracts easier than seed, stronger than flower. All can be used though.

Taste/smell 

Root is slightly sweet, pungent, aromatic, tingles the tongue and causes a slight numbing sensation with most species. (pallida root tastes like a flower) The seed and flower will both tingle the tongue also. The seed tastes a bit cardboard like also. The flower is very prickly. They will all increase salivation when chewed. 

The tingling sensation is is due to the alkylamides (alkamides). If you don't notice tingling from eating a root or tasting a tincture, you may not have a real Echinacea root or tincture. If you have a tincture that is not causing tingling on your tongue, I would question what is really in that tincture. You will find polysaccharides in the glycerite and the teas, but since they do not extract alkamides very well, you will not get much tingling from a tea or glycreite. That is normal for them.

Constituents

Echinacea purpurea spent seed head

Echinacea angustifolia roots: polysaccharides (Inulin and  fructose); phenylpropenoids (echinacoside, chicoric acid, cynarine and  caffaric acid); alkylamides ( complex of isobutylamide, the numbing taste);  alkaloid (tussilagine 0.006%) and oils (0.1%, palmitic and linolenic  acids).

E. pallida roots : phenylpropenoids (echinacoside and  chlorogenic acid); alkylamides (trace amounts); polyacetylenes; oils (0.2 -  2.0% ketoalkenynes).

E. purpurea root: polypropenoids (cichoric acid 0.6 -  2.1%); alkamides (complex of isobutylamides); alkaloid (tussilagine and  isotussilagine); polysaccharide (fructose based) and oils (0.03 - 0.2%,  caryphyllene, humulene, palmitic, linolenic acids and germacrene D.

E. purpurea areal : polypropenoids (cichoric acid );  alkylamides. ( complex of isobutylamides); flavonoids (rutoside, quercitin,  quercetin-7-glucoside and kaempferol-3-rutinoside and essential oils.

Extracting Mediums

It should be noted that the polysaccharides are not soluble in alcohol (Etoh), polypropenoid is soluble in medium strength Etoh and Alkylamides only in very  strong Etoh. The constituents desired in the final product will help  determine if the product should be a powder (capsule or tablet), tea, or  tincture. If you make a tea you will get polysaccharides but not much as far as alkylamides. If you make a tincture you will get alkylamides but very little polysaccharides if the alcohol is over 40%.

Constituent Information and Activity

An isobutylamide (type of alkylamide) called echinacein causes the tingling sensation and has a mild anesthetic effect. Other isobutylamide constituents have also been identified in both purpurea and angustifolia and have been shown to be antiinflammatory. However, the isolated isobutylamides were individually less potent than the whole extract. (This is common for plants to be more potent when used whole rather than broken into individual constituents.) Alcohol extracts of angustifolia, pallida and purpurea all showed enhanced phagocytic activity in mice in vivo when given orally. The increase phagocytic activity correlated with the isobutylamides in angustifolia and purpurea and with polyacetylenes in pallida.

The caffeic acid derivative echinacoside comprises about 1% of the dry weight of angustiolfia root and has a weak activity against staphylococcal and streptococcal bacteria.

The most significant effect of caffeyol conjugate components is their hyaluronidse inhibiting activity. Echinacoside is a caffeoyl conjugate of Echinacea with known anti-hyaluronidase properties. It is found in Echiancea angustifolia and pallida root. Cichoric acid and caftaric acid had the greatest antihyaluronidase activity when tested in research. All parts of dried Echinacea purpurea showed  cichoric acid as the major derivative and substantial amounts of caftaric acid.

Hyaluronidase is an enzyme that catalyzes the breakdown of hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid is like an intercellular glue in our bodies. Hyaluronidase which is found in venom of some snakes and spiders  and is secreted by some bacteria can break down the intercellular glue and allow the venom or bacteria to move more freely through the tissues.

Echinacea’s purified polysaccharide, arabinogalactan, activates macrophages to cytotoxicity against tumor cells and microorganisms, as well as produces tumor necrosis factor (TNF), interleukin-1, interleukin-6, interferon-2 and slightly increases T-lymphocyte proliferation. It therefore enhances the immune system’s resistance to infections and stimulates wound healing. The root oil has inhibited leukemia cells in vitro and in vivo.

Echinacea purpurea

Teas contain polysaccharides (water soluble) which are thought to be immune-enhancing but it is not known if they are absorbed or digested. They may however effect the Peyer’s patches (gut lymph tissue). Alcohol precipitates polysaccharides making them less or unavailable.

Tendencies & Use

Echinacea has a cooling, drying, and stimulating effect on the body.

Dosage: Infusion: 1-2 teaspoon per cup of water; or 1:1.5 fresh + dry liquid extract: 10-120 drops 1-4 times per day. If using for an acute infection can use 120 drops as much as every 2 hours for first 24-48 hours.

Mental picture and specific indications: Echinacea is indicated for exhaustive states with chilliness, offensive discharges, lymphatic congestion with swollen glands, mental confusion, dull mind, dizziness, tendency to skin eruptions and low grade continuous fevers, as well as high grade fevers.

Use: (a) Antimicrobial, (b) Anti-inflammatory, (c) Antiviral,  (d) Antibacterial, (e) Antifungal, (f) Slight stimulation of the adrenal cortex, (g) Stimulates leukocytes,  (h) Inhibits hyaluronidase, (i) Sialagogue, (j) Enhances phagocytosis. 

Note: Clinical information for E. angustifolia and E. purpurea species is basically interchangeable in most circumstances. 

In vitro and in vivo studies show that E. purpurea stimulates the immune system in a non-specific way by activating macrophages, enhancing phagocytes and stimulating the secretion of TNF and interleukins 1 and 6.

 Echinacea protects the gut from harmful micro-organisms due to its enhancement of phagocytosis. It also decreases inflammatory allergic reactions in mild food allergies and stimulates gastric healing. The constituent, echinacin, has been shown to be useful in treatment of tonsillitis in pediatric practices.  Due to its specificity for infectious conditions, it is used for colds, influenza, wounds, infections, allergies, bacterial and viral disease, swollen glands and gum disease. 

This plant can be used internally and externally at the same time for many therapies. Ear infections can be treated internally while using the tincture externally in the ear. The tincture works wonders externally when mixed with clay and used as a poultice on  brown recluse spider bites while also being used internally in high doses.

Contraindications

Echinacea is not associated with acute or chronic toxicity. Although there have been reports that it is contraindicated in auto-immune diseases. Many practitioners have used it with patients who have auto-immune diseases without noticing side effects. Lupus is one auto-immune disease that practitioners have noticed can be exacerbated by use of Echinacea. Due to arabinogalactan’s ability to increase production of TNF-alpha, there is concern about AIDS patients taking echinacea.  Many clinicians give whole plant liquid extracts that contain little or no arabinogalactan to AIDS patients without any problems. 

Additionally, it has been thought by some herbalists that Echinacea should only be used short term because its effects stop after a period of 1-3 weeks. However there are many individuals who have used this herb long term with successful results. An 8-week double-blind study in 1989 showed Echinacea was useful in prevention of respiratory infections. Another study using oral Echinacea for 10 weeks showed prevention of recurrent bouts of vaginal candidiasis. 

Echinacea purpurea

While it is infrequently done, when used parenterally, Echinacea can cause nausea, vomiting and fever reactions. This is usually dose-dependent. In persons with diabetes, hypersensitivity reactions have occurred; these include rash, itching, occasional swelling of the face, breathing difficulty, dizziness and a drop in blood pressure.

 Be aware that the immune stimulating properties of Echinacea may interact with immunosuppression drugs like Cyclosporin or other anti-rejection drugs.

Hyaluronidase is one of three enzymes  attached to the acrosomal membrane located on the head of the male  spermatozoon. This enzyme clears a path for the sperm to  fertilize the egg. Men taking large amount of  echinacea might experience some infertility, though this has not been studied.

There has been some research with Echinacea purpurea and its effect on various medications. Caution should be used when Echinacea is co-administered with drugs dependent on CYP3A or CY1A2 for their elimination. However more research is needed.

Growing Echinacea purpurea

A perennial. Seeds will self sow or can be collected in the fall. Be sure to get them before the birds do. They birds love the seed and it will disappear if you don’t watch carefully. Stratification is usually helpful although not always necessary with purpurea.  Stratification is necessary for angustifolia and pallida. They must both be stratified for 30 days. This can be done with a freezer bag, some slightly moist sandy soil and seeds. The seeds and soil are placed in the bag and the bag is put in the freezer for 30 days to simulate winter time. Take them out and they can now be planted into trays or directly into the garden.
Flower and seed available 2nd year (few 1st year), root available 3rd year or 2nd if good soil. Grows to 2’ first year, 4’ second year. Yields about 1200# per acre

Negative Research from a few years ago

Not good research. Lack of verification of correct plant material was a problem in one article I read. You should never conduct research with a plant without verifying its identity first.  Lack of use of correct part of the plant - used leaf juice in research. I find the leaf juice to have been fairly useless internally personally as do many of my colleagues.  There was also the problem of not giving a high enough dose of the herb. There is a tremendous amount of research that has been amassed over the years to support Echinaceas efficacy. I am ignoring this poorly devised research.



It seems I have not taken any photos of the Echinacea angustifolia or pallida. I still have the angustifolia in my garden and will try to remember to take a photo of it for you this summer.

Past Blogs about Echinacea
How to make tincture
Digging up Echinacea
Using Echinacea Long Term

How to Make Fresh Echinacea Purpurea Tincture

During our Becoming An Herbalist class of 2/5/12 we made a fresh Echinacea purpurea tincture. We decided we would use a total of 4# of herb in our tincture. The strength would be 1:1 and we would use 50% alcohol. 

We now needed to collect our root, and calculate how much alcohol and water to mix with the root as both a method of extraction and preservation.

Collecting Root

Echinacea purpurea root

So we collect our Echinacea root and wash it off. We then blot it dry on a towel. We collect enough root to use in the tincture as well as for students to take some home with them.

How Much Water is Already in the Roots

Before we can do the calculations for how much alcohol and water will be needed, we must figure out how much water is already in the root of the plants we are harvesting. We do this by weighing out a small amount. In this case we weigh out 30 grams of root. We then use a toaster oven to dry the root. We put it in the over at about 200 degrees to dry it quickly. Once completely dry, we remove it and weigh it again. It is now 9 grams. 9/30 = 0.3 or 30%. This means we now have 30% dry root left after drying. Therefore we had 70% water in the root prior to drying. We will need to use this 70% water  in our calculations.

How Much Root to Use This Time Through

We Know from past experience that only 1.75# - 2# of herb will mix into the alcohol and water, so we decide to use 1.75# this time to be safe. If we mix too much root into the liquid, there will not be adequate liquid to cover the root and it will oxidize.  We will add more of the 4# of root when we press out the current 1.75# from the menstruum (alcohol and water with herb in it). We did not harvest the rest of the root this time as it will be at least a month before we add the rest of the root. We will harvest it later so it will be fresh when we add it.

Now we can go through the calculations. 

We start with our known factors. We have 4# of root. We want to make the tincture a 1:1 fresh plant strength. (1 part plant to 1 part liquid (alcohol & water). We want to use 50% alcohol and 50% water. We have 70% water already in the root to account for.

Start by Using Metrics

We changed our pounds into grams. We did this by using 1# =  450 grams (we rounded up). We are using metric as it allows us to change our grams into mls. We are rounding up as it keeps us from making as many mistakes if we use an even number. Although there are a few reasons why  this is not 100% accurate, it is how this is done and if done the same way each time creates consistency.

4# x 450grams = 1800 grams of root

Now we want to figure out how much liquid to add. We are using a 1:1 strength so it is easy to calculate. We use 1 part herb to 1 part liquid. So we multiply the 1800 grams of herb x 1ml and get 1800 mls of liquid. (If it was 1:2 we would get 3600 mls of liquid.)

So we will be mixing 4# of herb with 1800 ml of liquid. But wait, we still need to account for the water and calculate for how much of the liquid is water and how much is alcohol. Here is how we do that.

Calculate for Water in the Root

1800 ml liquid x .7 water = 1260 ml water in root

Need to Use the Water in the Root in Our Calculations

Now add the 1800 ml of liquid we are planning to add + the 1260 ml of liquid in the root (1800ml + 1260ml = 3060ml) We need to use this 3060 ml of total liquid including the root water to calculate for the alcohol and water we will add.

3060 ml x 50% alcohol = 1530 ml alcohol

3060 ml x 50% water = 1530 ml water 

Subtracting Root Water in the Calculation Out of Amount to Add

Now we have to subtract the water in the root out of our calculated amount of water to add because it is already in the root.  

1530 ml total water needed - 1260 ml in root = 270 ml water to add.

So we now know we will be adding 1530 ml alcohol and 270 ml water.

So we took 1.75# of Echinacea purpurea root and ground it up in a vita mix (type of a strong blender) with 270 ml of water and 1530 ml of alcohol. 

It is now sitting in a dark place and is shook once each day for at least a month or longer.

Echinacea in process

In a month (or next fall depending on how soon spring comes) we will press out the root in the menstruum. The spent root (called the marc in herbal language) is now composted. The menstruum (liquid with herb extracted in it) will be put back into the vita mix with 2.25# of Echinacea root ( if it all fits and is still covered by liquid.) It will macerate for another month or longer and then be pressed out and ready to use.

The Folk Method
For those of you who say, this is just too much trouble. Is there an easier way? Yes, but you won't be able to control the strength or alcohol percent of your product. If you are okay with not knowing the strength or alcohol percent, you can use the folk method. It is fine to use for home use, but if you want to have consistency or sell on the open market you will want to use the calculation method. 

Usually, with the folk method you would use 40-45% vodka or some such alcohol and mix it with the roots one time and press and filter to get your product. You can do this but if you want a stronger product and  get close to a 1:1 strength as well as about  50% alcohol do the following.  

Folk Method Intensified
For making Echinacea purpurea, simply mix your root with 190 proof alcohol with blender or VitaMix. Make sure there is about an inch or more of liquid over the top of the root. Let it sit and shake daily as stated above. Press out in one or more months and then mix the menstruum with more Echinacea. Once more making sure there is some liquid above the herb to keep it from oxidizing. Let it sit one or more months and press. Filter and it is ready to use. It will be close to a 1:1 strength and somewhere from about 40-60% alcohol strength. 

For Other Echinacea Blogs

Past Blogs about Echinacea

Echinacea the Wonder Herb

Digging up Echinacea

Using Echinacea Long Term

For More Information On Preserving And Using Herbs

Join Dr. Tilgner’s class "Becoming An Herbalist" for in-depth information and experience.