Botanical Name(s):

Family: Asteraceae      Genus: Echinacea

Echinacea purpurea ; Echinacea angustifolia; Echinacea pallida ;
Echinacea simulata; Echinacea paradoxa; Echinacea tennesseensis; Echinacea laevigata; Echinacea sanguinea; Echinacea atrobubens; Echinacea gloriosa

Common name(s): Echinacea; Purple Coneflower; Kansas Snakeroot; Black Sampson

Echinacea has had a long history of being utilized as a healing herb by Native American people. ¹ In the 1800’s it became popular with the medical community in the United States and was a widely prescribed natural remedy for infections and inflammation. Its usage was recommended and studied during this time by the renowned Dr. Uri Lloyd, Dr. John King and Dr. H.C.L. Meyer. ^{2 /3} The root and rhizome were officially recognized by the National Formulary (NF) from 1916 to 1950.

Though its popularity in America waned with the onset on antibiotics, its usage continued in Germany where it was often used to treat viral infections and inflammatory conditions. The German Commission E recognized E. Purpurea herba (above ground parts) as an approved herb in 1989. On August 29th, 1992, E. Pallida radix (root) also attained this status. However, E. Angustifolia (herba and radix), E. Purpurea radix, and E. Pallida herba are still listed as unapproved as of 1998. This is most probably due to a lack of current clinical research. ⁴ There are also approximately six to seven other varieties of Echinacea however no mention is made of these other Echinacea types in the Commission E monographs.

Though the Commission E has only approved two varieties and then in limited scope, there is wide spread usage of Echinacea angustifolia, E. pallida and E. purpurea. Echinacea products are often sold as a combination of these three. There has been some speculation that E. angustifolia may have stronger medicinal value than the others although to date there is no clinical data that substantiates this claim. Currently, the United States Pharmacopoeia/ National Formulary is reviewing Echinacea for inclusion in its Botanical monograph series. (Note: the USP was established in 1820 to create standards for the use and quality of pharmaceuticals and combined with the National Formulary in 1980). ^5/6

Echinacea is a hardy perennial plant that grows 1-2 feet tall and has a spiny appearance from which it derived its name (echinos being Greek for sea urchin or hedgehog). It is a member of the daisy family and its flowers can resemble Black-eyed Susans with rich purple petals radiating from the center. The rhizome has circular pith. It has a faint aromatic smell. It grows throughout the United States from the mid-west to the prairie regions of Pennsylvania. Each of the varieties has a slightly different appearance. E. Purpurea demonstrates the classic purple flower and so too does E. Angustifolia though with narrower leaves and smaller flowers. However, E. Paradoxa has yellow flowers, E. Atrorubens and E. Sanguinea have dark red flowers, and E. Pallida and E. Simullata have pale purple flowers.

Due to an over harvesting of its wild population, some states restrict the harvest of this herb and are considering it for endangered species status. Since Echinacea purpurea is the easiest species to grow commercially, it may become the most utilized in the United States, as is the case in Europe. ⁷ It is a very popular herb in the United States, generating more than $300 million in sales annually. ⁸

A concern in purchasing Echinacea is the practice of substitution. It should be noted that Parthenium integrifolium or by it’s common name, Prairie Dock, is sometimes sold as Echinacea and has been since as early as 1909. Labels should be checked for clear identification of the plant genus utilized. In the 1980''s, it was discovered that some German researchers had been (unknowingly) receiving Prairie Dock under the name of Echinacea. This has thrown doubt into the reliability of the research done on the herb during that time frame. ^9/2 Unknown mixing or substitution of species has also been a problem in past research. Many studies conducted on what was thought to be E. angustifolia during this same time frame were later proven to have been E. Pallida. ⁴

Herbal remedies are under no enforced regulations and selling a standardized product is voluntary on the manufacturers part. Since it is thought that the quantity and composition of the bioconstituents present effect the reliability and efficacy of a product, this is something to be aware of. This practice of substitution still exists, so read the labels carefully! Still even if the correct genus is listed, adulterations, absence of specific constituents, labeling that lacks information should all be cause for care when purchasing.

With the awareness of substitution and the work that has been done on the chemistry of certain species, research today is able to focus on the specific varieties and/or constituents. Generally, Echinacea is thought to create activity in the immune system by stimulating T-cell production, phagocytosis, lymphocytic activity, cellular respiration, activity against tumor cells (thought it’s application is debatable) and inhibiting hyalurinadase enzyme secretion. Its natural antibiotic (echinacoside) is said to be comparable to penicillin in its broad-spectrum affects however there are questions as to whether there is enough present in the herb to have a significant effect. It may inhibit a broad range of viruses, protozoa, bacteria, and fungi. Echinacea contains echinacein which seems to counteract against the enzyme hyaluronidase that microbes produce to penetrate tissues and cause infection. It is has been indicated in studies that it is effective in decreasing the frequency and severity of colds and the flu. (See Published Studies)

Echinacea is considered a safe herb. Incidents of adverse reactions are rare and there is no known toxicity. However, it is not recommended in progressive systemic and auto-immune disorders s.c. as AIDS, tuberculosis, multiple sclerosis, leicosis, connective tissue disorders, collagenosis and related diseases s.c. as lupus. ^4/10 (See Published Studies and also Contraindications). It should be noted that in cases of AIDS and AIDS opportunistic infections there is still considerable debate occurring over echinacea usage.

Biochemical Constituents:

Echinacea Simulata and E. Paradoxa Roots:

In a 1991 study "The constituents of the roots of Echinacea simulata and E. paradoxa were examined by HPLC (high pressure liquid chromatography). The major lipophilic and hydrophilic compounds could be identified. E. Paradoxa contained several ketoalkenynes and proved to have almost identical constituents as E. pallida. E. Simulata contained alkamides as found in E. angustifolia and in addition ketoalkenynes as in E. pallida. Echinacoside was found in both species." ¹¹

Echinacea Angustifolia, Echinacea Purpurea, and Echinacea Pallida:

Some biochemical constituents all three have in common are echinacoside, polysaccharides, glycoproteins and a caffeic acid derivatives (cichoric acid), triglycoside of caffeic acid derivative echinacein. ^12/14

  If listed as Echinacea spp. Compositae: the biochemical constituents have been recorded as follows: essential oil containing the oncolytic hydrocarbon (z)-1,8- pentadecadiene, polysaccharide 1 (a heteroxylan) containing arabinose, xylose, glactose, glucose, and 4-0-methylgluronic acid; polysaccharide 2 (an arabinorhamnogalactic) containing rhamnose, arabinose, galactose, and glucuronic acid; echinacen (an isoabutylkyamide comprising 0.01% of the dried root of E. angustifolia and 0.001% of the dried root of e. pallida); echinolone (appolyacetylene compound from E. angustifolia); echinacoside ( a glycoside found in E. angustifolia, at concentrations of 1% of root preparations); echinacin B; an unsaturated aliphatic sesquiterpene*; betain; insulin; inuloid; fructose; sucrose; higher fatty acids; 6.9% protein in air dried roots of E, angustifolia, 5.3% in E. purpurea; tannin; vitamin C; enzymes; an unidentified glucoside; resin; acids and thirteen polyacetylene compounds ¹³ (there is a theory that these are formed during storage, since it is said that they are found in dried but not fresh roots of E. pallida ).

*Note: Originally some commercial samples of E. purpurea were identified as containing Sesquiterpene esters however data has since shown that this was due to the presence of an adulterant, Parthenium integrifolium L. It appears that this adulteration may be widespread in commercial samples. ¹³

Medicinal parts: Roots, Leaves, Seed and Rhizome. Fresh or sometimes dried.

It should be noted that the best p.r. of the plant to use is under debate. An alcoholic extract of the root of E. Pallida and the expressed juice of the aboveground plant of E. Purpurea at the time of flowering are the parts approved for use by the German Commission E. ⁴ These have had numerous in vitro and in vivo studies conducted on their pharmacological viability. ¹⁴

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