The popular and potent echinacea plant is native to North America and is commonly used in herbal medicine, particularly in the form of tea and tinctures. We love it, grow it and use it, but we also wanted to know more about the proven benefits of echinacea as well as the traditional uses.
The beautiful echinacea flowers would be enough on their own, as beautiful and regal as they are. But to know that there are many amazing health benefits of echinacea makes it all the more a welcome addition to any garden or yard landscape.
Scientifically Proven Benefits of Echinacea
Please keep in mind that these are only some of the Echinacea benefits. There are many ailments that these beneficial properties may support in healing, and there are also many more studies that represent more proven benefits than is practical to include here.
However, hopefully this will be helpful and set you on a path of further research on how to use echinacea as a part of your natural remedies.
List of Benefits of Echinacea
- Antioxidant Properties: Echinacea plants contain compounds called phenols, which are potent antioxidants that protect the body from damage by free radicals.[1]https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4441164/
- Anti-Inflammatory Properties: Echinacea may also have anti-inflammatory effects, which could be beneficial for conditions like rheumatoid arthritis.[2]https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4441164/[3]https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/10/2/211
- Antimicrobial: With antimicrobial benefits for humans and animals.[4]https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3205674/
- Antiviral: Echinacea applied through extract, sprays, sucking Echinacea purpurea tablets and/or gargling the tincture in the pharynx, reduced the incidence of enveloped virus infections, and respiratory symptoms during coronavirus infections.[5]https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/10/2/211[6]https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3205674/
- Blood Sugar Control: Some studies indicate that echinacea might help to control blood sugar levels, making it potentially useful for people with diabetes.[7]https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30246020/
- Immune System Support: Echinacea is most well-known for its potential ability to boost the immune system. It’s often used as a remedy for the common cold, flu, and other infections. Some research suggests that echinacea can reduce the risk of catching a common cold and may shorten its duration.[8]https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12622467/[9]https://www.hippocraticpost.com/integrative/echinacea-herbal-medicine-as-part-of-a-winter-health-strategy/
- Mental Health – Some research suggests that echinacea may help alleviate anxiety and mild depression.
- Skin Health: Topically, echinacea has been used to alleviate skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, acne and wound healing. While it doesn’t prevent MRSA or MSSA, it has exhibited a beneficial anti-inflammatory benefits.[12]https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3205674/
- Respiratory Health – One study shows that symptoms of Coronavirus respiratory infections were significantly lower from application of echinacea extract.[13]https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/10/2/211By potentially boosting the immune system and having anti-inflammatory effects, echinacea tea has been found to help with cough and sore throat, thus helping maintain the overall health of the respiratory system.[14]https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7395221/
Remember, while echinacea may provide some health benefits, please be safe and consult with the appropriate health and wellness advisors as needed.
See also, the top 3 medicinal echinacea plants.
Ethnobotanical Background
The use of Echinacea purpurea in traditional medicine dates back to the Native American tribes of the Great Plains region. It was one of the most versatile therapeutic plants in their medicinal repertoire, being used to treat a variety of conditions from infections and wounds to toothaches and snakebites.
In fact, the genus name Echinacea comes from the Greek word “echinos,” which means “hedgehog” and refers to the spiny center of the flower, indicative of its strong and potent nature.
The plant’s medicinal use was adopted by settlers in the 19th century and it became a staple in the Eclectic Medicine movement, a branch of American medicine that made extensive use of botanical remedies.
CAUTION: Echinacea can cause allergic reactions in some people, particularly those who are allergic to other plants in the daisy (asteraceae) family. Potent herbs like echinacea may also interact negatively with some medications, so please do your research and take care.
A proven antiviral herb, Extract of Echinacea purpurea (L.) exhibited direct antiviral activity against a broad range of respiratory pathogens, including coronaviruses.
SOURCE: 2022 Study: Echinacea as a Potential Force against Coronavirus Infections.[15]https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/10/2/211
What Are Beneficial Properties of Echinacea?
Echinacea is a medicinal plant, and its beneficial effects are believed to come more from a range of active compounds more than its basic nutritional content.
Echinacea Phytochemical Compounds and What They Do
- Alkamides: These compounds can stimulate the immune system and have antioxidant properties.
- Polysaccharides: These are types of carbohydrates that can also stimulate the immune system.
- Flavonoids: These polyphenols have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
- Polyacetylenes: These are naturally occurring bioactive compounds with antibacterial and antifungal properties.
- Caffeic acid derivatives (CADs): These include compounds like echinacoside and cichoric acid, which have antioxidant properties and are thought to support immune health.
Echinacea Nutrients
In terms of nutritional value, echinacea doesn’t provide significant amounts of vitamins or minerals. The plant’s beneficial properties come primarily from these and other phytochemicals.
Remember, the exact composition of these constituents can vary depending on a variety of factors, such as the species of echinacea, the part of the plant used (flowers, leaves, stems, or roots), the time of harvest, and the method of preparation.
Finally, it’s helpful to remember that science is ever evolving its understanding, and testing the efficacy of natural herbs is a complex process with many variables affecting results. Thus results can vary and chances are there is still much more to learn about the many gifts of the amazing echinacea plant.
I’m LeAura Alderson, a garden, herb and plant enthusiast with a passion for discovering the many edible and medicinal benefits of the plants all around us, including the weeds! I’m a writer, editor and media publisher for our family of websites.
While I was certified in fitness and life coaching, I am NOT a health practitioner. However, I’m a lifelong health enthusiast, with a keen interest in healthy, organic foods and making home remedies and the content we share is from our own experience and usage as well as that extracted from scientific research so that you can explore further on your own.
Always seek the advice and guidance of your health practitioners first and foremost.
As a family we’re steadily expanding our gardening, experimentation and knowledge around all things gardening, edible landscaping, fresh organic foods and self sustainability with farming in our future. I also own and manage iCreateDaily.com, a site all about transformation through creation, and the power of positivity, optimism and mindset.
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