Echinacea
Echinacea spp. compositae
Names:
Black Sampson. Coneflower. Niggerhead. Rudbeckia. Brauneria pallida
(Nutt.).Echinacea purpurea, E. angustifolia
History:
Named Echinacea by Linnaeus, and Rudbeckia, after Rudbeck, father and son,
who were his predecessors at Upsala.
Constituents:
Oil and resin both in wood and bark ,masses of inulin, inuloid, sucrose,
vulose, betaine, two phytosterols and fatty acids, oleic, cerotic, linolic and
palmatic.
Echinacoside, in E. angustifolia but not E. purpurea.
Research suggests that the echinacosides glycosides appear to be primary
anti-microbial constituents in Echinacea. However there are many other
biologically active substances present, and there is evidence that they work
synergistically. The polysaccharides, for example, possess the best immune
stimulating properties and are also antiviral. Unsaturated isobutyl amides,
echinacin and others, in E. angustifolia and E. pallida.
Polysaccharides;
a heteroxylan and an arabinorhamnogalactan
Polyacetylenes;
at least 13 of which have been isolated, ...found in dried but not
fresh roots of E. pallida. Essential oil, containing humulene, caryophyllene and
its epoxide, germacrene D and methyl-p-hydroxycinnamate
Miscellaneous constituents:
vanillin linolenic acid derivatives, a labdane derivative, alkanes and
flavonoids and the alkaloids tussilagine and isotussilagine.
Uses:
It has useful properties as a strong alterative and aphrodisiac.
As an injection, the extract has been used for haemorrhoids and a tincture of
the fresh root has been found beneficial in diphtheria and putrid fevers.
_____Grieves______
Anti-microbial,( used for boils, erysipelas, septicaemia, cancer, syphilis
and other impurities of the blood, its action being antiseptic)
immunomodulator, anti-catarrhal, alterative.
infections of the upper respiratory tract such as laryngitis, tonsillitis
and for catarrhal conditions of the nose and sinus.
The tincture or decoction may be used as a mouthwash in the treatment of
pyorrhoea and gingivitis.
It may be used as an external lotion to help septic sores and cuts.
Glycosides from the roots have mild activity against Streptococci and
Staphylococcus aureus. Echinacoside was the most active with about 6 mg being
equivalent to one unit of penicillin.
The tincture was able to reduce both the rate of growth and the rate of
reproduction of Trichomonas vaginalis, and was found to be effective in halting
the recurrence of Candida albicans infection. It seems to prevent infection and
repair tissue damaged by infection, partially through inhibiting the activity of
the enzyme hyaluronidase.
tumor-inhibiting compound
____Hoffmann_____
Pharmacology and Studies
Rolands Farm- a good resource page
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