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
- Smart farming approaches in medicinal plant cultivation: a review of techniques, benefits, and sustainability
by Sanjeev Khan on March 5, 2026 at 11:00 amSmart farming technologies significantly enhance medicinal plant cultivation by improving yield, quality, and sustainability, while addressing traditional challenges through precision, automation, and data-driven decision-making. Medicinal plants have played a vital role in healthcare and the pharmaceutical industry. However, traditional cultivation methods face challenges, such as variable yield due to environmental stress and suboptimal resource use. While pharmacopeias already define strict…
- Integrated Transcriptomic and Metabolomic Analysis Reveals Biochar-Induced Enhancement of Growth and Secondary Metabolism in the Medicinal Plant Echinacea purpureaby Liru Tan on December 11, 2025 at 11:00 am
Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench is a medicinally valuable plant with well-documented pharmacological properties; however, its physiological and molecular responses to biochar amendment remain largely unexplored. This study applied integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic approaches to investigate the underlying mechanisms of biochar-induced effects in E. purpurea. Biochar amendment significantly promoted plant growth and improved nutrient status. Concurrent transcriptomic analysis revealed the…
- A review of herbal therapeutics for the prevention and management of poxvirus infectionsby Faiz Ahmad on June 25, 2025 at 10:00 am
Poxvirus continues to pose public health concerns due to sporadic outbreaks, zoonotic transmission, and limited treatment options. The accessibility of vaccines and antivirals does not resolve the problems of drug resistance, adverse effects, and limited accessibility, which underscores the necessity to find different therapeutic approaches. This review aims to explore the potential of herbal therapy as an effective and accessible treatment for human poxvirus infections. A comprehensive analysis…
- 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…
- Trace Element and Mineral Content in Medicinal Plants Collected in the Altai Mountains Foothillsby Alexey A Tinkov on April 21, 2025 at 10:00 am
The objective of the present study was to assess the patterns of trace element and mineral accumulation in 21 medicinal plants collected in the Altai Mountains foothills. The levels of trace elements and minerals in Hippophae rhamnoides, Aronia melanocarpa, Sorbus aucuparia, Viburnum opulus, Rosa canina, Crataegus sanguinea (fruits), Chamaenerion angustifolium, Echinacea purpurea, Fagopyrum esculentum, Trifolium pratense, Origanum vulgare, Achillea millefolium, Mentha piperita (herbs), Plantago…
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