Purple Coneflower
Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)
Echinacea purpurea, also called Purple Coneflower, is one of the most widely cultivated medicinal plants in the US (Ross, 2016) and Europe (Barrett, 2003). It is a tall perennial member of the Composite family indigenous to eastern and central North America. This plant is used to treat common diseases, such as colds, flu, and upper respiratory infections (Ross, 2016). Modern analyses of the Echinacea genus have suggested it may have antioxidant and antimicrobial properties (Sharifi-Rad et al., 2018). However, studies examining the effectiveness of Echinacea purpurea in preventing or treating the common cold have had mixed results (Grimm & Müller, 1999; Ross, 2016) and the most recent systematic review failed to find any statistically significant benefit to the treatment (Karsch-Völk et al., 2014). It is generally considered non or only very slightly toxic (Sharifi-Rad et al., 2018).
Historical Use
Given that Purple Coneflower is native to such a wide swath of North America, it should come as no surprise that the earliest knowledge of its medicinal properties was attained by Native Americans. The Choctaw used Echinacea purpurea for treating coughs, stomach upset, and sore throats (Flannery, 1999). The Sioux used it for treating wounds and snakebite and as a cure for rabies (Ross, 2016). The Cheyenne used preparations to treat colds and skin conditions (Flannery, 1999). Early settlers to the Midwest also used Echinacea to treat saddle sores on horses (Flannery, 1999).
More information available from the John R. Martin Rare Book Room in Hardin Library.
Latest Research
- Efficacy and safety of Echinacea purpurea in treating upper respiratory infections and complications of otitis media in children: Systematic review and meta-analysisby Thi-Phuong-Thao Pham on May 1, 2025 at 10:00 am
CONCLUSION: The meta-analysis of nine studies found that E. purpurea was effective in reducing the duration of treatment, the incidence of episodes, and antibiotic usage for URTI in children, with some positive effects on OM. This study systematically evaluates the efficacy and safety of E. purpurea in treating URTI and OM in children, providing evidence-based insights to guide clinical decisions and inform healthcare professionals and parents considering its use. However, the safety profile…
- Interplay Between Traditional and Scientific Knowledge: Phytoconstituents and Their Roles in Lung and Colorectal Cancer Signaling Pathwaysby Ilma Imtiaz on March 28, 2025 at 10:00 am
Natural plant products have been used for cancer treatment since ancient times and continue to play a vital role in modern anticancer drug development. However, only a small fraction of identified medicinal plants has been thoroughly investigated, particularly for their effects on cellular pathways in lung and colorectal cancers, two under-researched cancers with poor prognostic outcomes (lung cancers). This review focuses on the lung and colorectal cancer signaling pathways modulated by…
- Recovery of Bioactive Compounds from the Biomass of Aromatic Plants After Distillation Using NADES: A Sustainable Alternative Extraction Methodby Eleonora Truzzi on March 13, 2025 at 10:00 am
The extraction processes for medicinal plants, particularly the distillation of aromatic plants, generate significant quantities of by-products, consisting of fibrous biomass and hydrosols. These by-products pose challenges for disposal and recovery. Consequently, it is imperative to make the entire highly energy-intensive process more sustainable by valorizing all derivatives. This study aims to recover polyphenols from the exhausted biomasses of Artemisia dracunculus, Echinacea purpurea,…
- Herbal and Dietary Supplements as Adjunctive Treatment for Mild SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Italyby Anna Licata on January 25, 2025 at 11:00 am
During the COVID-19 pandemic, several observational studies proved a certain efficacy of nutraceuticals, herbal products, and other dietary supplements as adjuvant therapies used alongside antiviral drugs. Although their use has not been widespread in Italy, according to preliminary evidence, many supplements with demonstrated immunomodulatory effects, such as vitamins C and D, herbal medicines and essential oils, might relieve the respiratory symptoms of COVID-19, since SARS-CoV-2 can activate…
- Effect of dietary medicinal plants on physiological responses of broiler chickens challenged with Campylobacter jejuniby Zaynab Nazari on September 11, 2024 at 10:00 am
CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, EP and TS dietary supplementation improved performance, microflora, intestinal morphology and immune responses in C. jejuni-challenged broilers.
References
Barrett, B. (2003). Medicinal properties of Echinacea: a critical review. Phytomedicine, 10(1), 66-86. doi:10.1078/094471103321648692
Flannery, M. A. (1999). From Rudbeckia to Echinacea: The Emergence of the Purple Cone Flower in Modern Therapeutics. Pharmacy in History, 41(2), 52-59. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/41111931
Grimm, W., & Müller, H. H. (1999). A randomized controlled trial of the effect of fluid extract of Echinacea purpurea on the incidence and severity of colds and respiratory infections. Am J Med, 106(2), 138-143. doi:10.1016/s0002-9343(98)00406-9
Karsch-Völk, M., Barrett, B., Kiefer, D., Bauer, R., Ardjomand-Woelkart, K., & Linde, K. (2014). Echinacea for preventing and treating the common cold. Cochrane Database Syst Rev, 2(2), Cd000530. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD000530.pub3
Ross, S. M. (2016). Echinacea purpurea: A Proprietary Extract of Echinacea purpurea Is Shown to be Safe and Effective in the Prevention of the Common Cold. Holist Nurs Pract, 30(1), 54-57. doi:10.1097/hnp.0000000000000130
Sharifi-Rad, M., Mnayer, D., Morais-Braga, M. F. B., Carneiro, J. N. P., Bezerra, C. F., Coutinho, H. D. M., . . . Sharifi-Rad, J. (2018). Echinacea plants as antioxidant and antibacterial agents: From traditional medicine to biotechnological applications. Phytother Res, 32(9), 1653-1663. doi:10.1002/ptr.6101