Betwixt the Sea and Sky

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Echinacea ( echinacea angustifolia )

There are many species of echinacea. Another name Echinacea is known by is Purple Coneflower. It is native to North America. .

Physical Description: .

Echinacea has hairy leaves and stalk, and grows to about 2 feet tall.

The leaves are oblong, and the center of the flower is a cone. Most species are a lavender or purple-rose color, but the white swan (alba) species has white petals.

Medicinal Properties: .

Echinacea root is used as an anti-inflammatory.
The herb and the root are used for stimulating the
immune system and as an antiseptic. It is also a diaphoretic (promotes sweating).

The fresh leaves were chewed by Native Americans to relieve the pain of a toothache. The juice from the leaves is what causes the numbing (this is also purportedly why deer do not eat this plant, therefore survives in gardens where deer tend to destroy other plants). The numbing wears off fairly quickly.

Mystical Properties: .

Echinacea was used to strengthen spells.

As to the "nuts and bolts" of it, Echinacea is sold in herbal shops and some drug stores in liquid form. The most recommended type is called Goldseal. Basically, the application is something like 40 drops in a glass of water (though I know some that take it straight, brave souls that they are). Slug it down quickly, because it's not something that's enjoyable to sip. Basically taste like leaves and bark. Taken when a cold first starts, it does seem to shorten the length of the cold, and alleviate many of the symptoms. Echinacea is the first medicine we go to for most ill feelings, and it seems to be very helpful.

I agree, we have it here in our medicine cupboard. The minute I suspect theres a cold about I usually start taking it. Some sources say children should not take herbals, and in the case of echinacea the reports for children are mixed, either it works the same as for an adult or it doesn't work at all. I think it works, but then to my child is 10 and her physiological state is changing (does it make a difference? I don't know) ... anyway, she says it tastes like crap, lol but we find it does work.

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