Summary
Echinacea purpurea is a flowering plant mainly found in the native area of eastern North America. The plant produces cone-shaped flowers that are purple in color (Taylor, Weber & Standish, 2010).
Description
The plant grows to a mature height of about one and a half meters and half a meter in width. Its blooming period begins towards the end of June and early and early July. Its flowers contain both the male and female reproductive organs, which are mainly pollinated by bees and butterflies. E. purpurea grows well in open woods, cultivated beds and barrens (Blumenthal, Goldberg & Brinckman, 2010).
Common Names—echinacea, purple coneflower, coneflower, American coneflower (Taylor, Weber & Standish, 2010).
Origin
Echinacea purpurea is known to originate from the Northern side of America. It was first discovered by the natives on the Eastern side of North America. The plant was found to grow in areas of low density and can survive in tough weather conditions both in dry and wet areas. Other species are found in Tennessee with the rare species found in Eastern Kansas and Oklahoma.
Scientific Classification
- Kingdom: Plantae
- Order: Asterales
- Family: Asteraceae
- Tribe: Heliantheae
- Genus: Echinacea
- Species: E.purpurea
- Binomial name: Echinacea purpurea (O’Neil, Hughes & Lourie, 2009)
Distribution
Echinacea purpurea is currently grown in the Eastern part of Northern America and is widely distributed along with the Midwest, southeastern parts of the United States of America (Turner, Bauer, Woelkart, 2009). In Florida, Echinacea purpurea is known as the purple coneflower (O’Neil, Hughes & Lourie, 2008).
Medicinal Purpose
The plant is known to have medicinal properties, which include stimulating one’s immune system and helping to prevent the human body from being attacked by infections (Shah, Sander & White, 2009). Natives that lived in North America used the plant to treat colds. In limited times they used to treat skin conditions like acne and boils (Turner, Bauer, Woelkart, 2009).
Native Indians used the preparations from this plant to cure and heal various types of wounds like burns, bruises, cuts and bites. Others said it is a “cure-all” product even for cancer (Barrett, Brown & Locken, 2007).
In the olden times, Germans took a higher activity in research and were one of the first people to obtain the main constituents of the plant (Turner, Bauer & Woelkart, 2009). They found out that the plant contained flavonoids, phenols, polysaccharides and alkyl amides, vitamins, copper and oil. This combination of ingredients further showed that preparations from it can be used in stimulating the immune system, suppressing the activity of viruses and also as an antibiotic (Fugh, 2008).
Furthermore, studies done indicate that if preparations from Echinacea purpurea are added to anti-hemorrhoids medications, the product can be used to prevent skin damage from the sun (Shah, Sander & White, 2009).
However, it is good to note that use of preparations from Echinacea purpurea should be used as prescribed by the doctor or a certified pharmacist (O’Neil, Hughes & Lourie, 2008).
Side Effects
The plant Echinacea purpurea, when used for medication may tend to produce other effects that counter its benefit, such effects include anaphylaxis, rashes, increased asthma and gastrointestinal disturbances (Blumenthal, Goldberg & Brinckman, 2010). It was also noted that people who are allergic to plants sharing the same family as daisy tend to have allergies to this plant. In other studies, it has been realized that some people experience dizziness, headache, drowsiness, sore throat, muscle aches and stomach upsets (Barrett, Brown & Locken, 2007).
However, immune-compromised individuals have been advised not to use preparations from this plant as it is known to increase the development of other ailments like tuberculosis, cancer and multiple sclerosis (Blumenthal, Goldberg & Brinckman, 2010).
Economic Importance
- Echinacea purpurea is mainly used for medicinal purposes but it also has its other benefits.
- Currently the plant is used in hoses for decorations as it produces bright purple flowers.
- Indians used the twigs of the flower to make brooms.
- After the Germans discovered the medicinal properties of the plant, individuals began commercializing the plant. It then became an item of trade.
- In European countries, Echinacea purpurea is used as an antidepressant on animals such as rats.
- Brauneria purpurea is a related species to Echinacea purpurea whose seeds are used to attract butterflies.
References
Barrett, P., Brown, R. & Locken, K. (2007). Treatment of the common cold with unrefined echinacea: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Annals of Internal Medicine, 137(12):939–946.
Blumenthal, M., Goldberg, A. & Brinckman, J. (2010). Herbal Medicine: Journal of medicinal herbs, 6(6): 88–102.
Fugh, B.A. (2008). Echinacea for the prevention and treatment of upper respiratory infections: Journal in Integrative Medicine, 1(2):106–111.
O’Neil, J., Hughes, S. & Lourie, A. (2008). Effects of echinacea on the frequency of upper respiratory tract symptoms: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial: Journal of Immunology, 100(4):384–388.
Shah, W., Sander, S. & White, B. (2009). Evaluation of echinacea for the prevention and treatment of the common cold: a meta-analysis: Journal of Lancet Infectious Diseases, 7(7):473–480.
Taylor, J., Weber, W. & Standish, K.(2010). Vascular plants: Journal of the American Medical Association, 290(21):2824–2830.
Turner, B., Bauer, R. & Woelkart, H. (2009). An evaluation of Echinacea Angustifolia in experimental rhinovirus infections: New England Journal of Medicine, 353(4):341–348.