Super Herbs: Echinacea Uses & Benefits

Today, we’re taking a look at what makes Echinacea so powerful as a natural, herbal remedy and sharing some of our favourite products made using this versatile flower.

What is Echinacea?

A distinguishing feature of the Echinacea family is the flower’s central cones, resembling a spiky acorn. The name can be traced to ‘echinos’, the Greek word for hedgehog. 

The natural habitat of Echinacea is dry, barren land - but with the proper care and nutrients, such as on the Herbfarmacy farm, these flowers can flourish in any warm climate. 

Belonging to the daisy family, there are three varieties of Echinacea used for herbal remedies: angustifolia, pallida and purpurea. On Herbfarmacy’s five-acre flower farm, we grow Echinacea purpurea which gives us a vibrant, bright purple crop each year.  

Echinacea uses

Proven to be an edible wild plant, the leaves and petals can be foraged and added to dishes as seasoning. Due to the pleasant floral taste and sweet scent, you can also use the dried leaves of the Echinacea plant to make a delicious herbal tea.

Fighting the common cold

Most famously, Echinacea is used as a remedy to benefit those who have contracted the common cold. It’s generally accepted that having a regular Echinacea intake can not only help to lessen and reduce the duration of cold symptoms, but also to prevent colds in the first place.

So, the question is: how does Echinacea work? This relief can be attributed to the organic phenol compounds found in the plant. Phenols contain antioxidant properties, which are beneficial to human health.

Echinacea plant-based remedies are widely acknowledged to increase the production of white blood cells in the body. Our immune systems rely on white blood cells to prevent and ease the symptoms of colds, while the plant’s genetic makeup contains antimicrobial substances which fight off negative microorganisms.

It's no surprise that Echinacea is one of the most popular natural herbal remedies. To try our homegrown, high quality Echinacea tincture, click here.

Skin care solutions

Those with combination and oily skin types will love the effect Echinacea has on their skin. Acting as a mild astringent, toners containing this herb can be applied after cleansing and before moisturising to minimise pores and remove any excess oil. 

To get your hands on a bottle of our Rose & Echinacea Toner, click here.