Echinacea Monograph

Echinacea spp., E. purpurea

An herbal monograph can be thought of as a "biography" of a plant used for medicinal purposes. Monographs typically include several key sections:

• Names: This section covers the plant's common and scientific names.

• Mechanism of Action: This explains how the herb works in the body.

• Therapeutics: This details the health benefits and uses of the herb.

   Phylogenetic information 

o   Phylum: Angiosperm

o   Class: Eudicot

o   Family: Asteraceae (Aster) (8)

o   Genus: Echinacea

o   Species: Echinacea purpurea (1)

o   Common names: Coneflower, purple coneflower, Kansas snakeroot, hedgehog, black Sampson

Pictures in various stages and of various parts

 Botanical information

o   Identification characteristics: Purple ray flowers. The plant grows from a caudex (enlarged lower stem) and has fibrous roots (2) Brownish, domed spiny center. Green, oval leaf (9)

o   Potential look alikes and differences between them: Echinacea angustifolia is often confused with Echinacea purpurea. 

o   Native region: Found in North America. “Native from Michigan south to Louisiana, then west to Texas and Oklahoma.” (8) “Well-drained limestone, sand, clay, loam. Rocky, open woods; thickets; prairies.” (9)

o   Geographical distribution: Found throughout eastern states and in the middle of the United States. (1) Prefers full to partial sun, found in prairies, meadows, open woods. (9)

o   Harvesting guidelines: Never buy wildcrafted Echinacea as it has been overharvested. Instead, grow this plant yourself or purchase it from organic cultivated sources. (2)

   Herbal information 

o   Energetics: Cooling, drying, bitter, acrid (2)

o   Constituents: Alkamides, caffeic acid derivatives, and polysaccharides are found in E. purpurea. (4) Alkamides play a role in the immunomodulatory properties. Polyacctylenes are present in the aerial parts of E. purpurea. Flavonoids, including quercetin, kaempferol, isorhamnetin and their glycosides and also anthocyanins, are present in the aerial parts of E. purpurea. (5)

o   Herbal actions: Immunomodulator, sialagogue, modulates inflammation, antimicrobial, vulnerary, lymphagogue, alterative, anti-pyretic, circulatory stimulant (2)

o   Indications: Infected wounds, colds and flue, acne, boil, abscesses, septicemia, mouth infections, warts, venomous bites and stings, fevers, promotes lymphatic drainage. (2)

o   Preparation methods: Tincture, tea, decoction, mixed with clay, mouth wash, poultice, fomentation, oxymel, liniment (3)

o   Plant parts used: Whole plant: flowers, roots, leaves (2)

o   Dosing strategies: 

• For skin conditions: take tincture internally (1:2 fresh plant, 50% alcohol, 3-5ml) while applying fomentation of warm root decoction. 

• For Colds and Flus: tincture taken every hour frequently (1:2 fresh plant, 50% alcohol). 

• Tea or powder: up to 3 grams daily

Recipe: Echinacea Tincture (2)

Ingredients:

• 75 grams finely cut dried Echinacea angustifolia roots (about ¾  cup)

• 375 ml (50% or 100-proof) vodka or other neutral spirits (you can substitute 40% or 80-proof) (about 1 3/5 cups)

Directions:

1. Place the echinacea roots in a pint jar.

2. Pour the alcohol into the jar. Tightly cover the jar and label it.

3. Store the jar in a cool, dark place for 6 weeks. Shake the jar daily for the first week, then every few days after that. The dried roots will expand as they soak up the alcohol. If necessary, add a little bit more alcohol to keep the roots covered; however, avoid adding too much, as that will dilute the tincture.

4. Strain the tincture through a fine-mesh strainer lined with cheesecloth. Squeeze it well to extract all the liquid.

5. Use a funnel to pour the tincture into clean dropper bottles and label them.

6. Store in a cool, dark place and use within 2 years.

o   Contraindications: May affect people with autoimmune conditions (3). Some people who are allergic to other members of the Asteraceae family are advised to avoid Echinacea. (5)

Author: Apollo's Botanicals

Citations

1. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. (n.d.). Echinacea purpurea. ACIR CIRD Taxon. Retrieved 10062025, from https://acir.aphis.usda.gov/s/cird-taxon/a0ut0000000rBc9AAE/echinacea-purpurea 

2. de la Forêt, R. (n.d.). Benefits of Echinacea. Herbal Remedies Advice. Retrieved 10062025, from https://www.herbalremediesadvice.org/benefits-of-echinacea.html

3. 7Song. (n.d.). Herbal database entry for Echinacea [Database record]. In 7Song Herbal Base. Retrieved 10062025, from https://airtable.com/appGMlaqtjUqKFR3Z/shrD4A5ZyZeVJzJon/tbl2wdNWq6vJDJDKe/viwNSYOAZLXoBiN6P 

4. Manayi, A., Vazirian, M., & Saeidnia, S. (2015). Echinacea purpurea: Pharmacology, phytochemistry and analysis methods. Pharmacognosy reviews, 9(17), 63–72. https://doi.org/10.4103/0973-7847.156353 

5. Barnes, J., Anderson, L.A., Gibbons, S. and Phillipson, J.D. (2005), Echinacea species (Echinacea angustifolia (DC.) Hell., Echinacea pallida (Nutt.) Nutt., Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench): a review of their chemistry, pharmacology and clinical properties. Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, 57: 929-954. https://doi.org/10.1211/0022357056127

6. Strictly Medicinal Seeds. (n.d.). Echinacea purpurea potted plant, organic. Retrieved October 6, 2025, from https://strictlymedicinalseeds.com/product/echinacea-purpurea-potted-plant-organic/

7. Foster, J. (n.d.). The easiest way to harvest Echinacea seeds – GrowIt BuildIt. GrowIt BuildIt. Retrieved October 7, 2025, from https://growitbuildit.com/harvest-echinacea-seeds-an-illustrated-guide/

8. Strictly Medicinal Seeds. (n.d.). Echinacea purpurea seeds, organic [Packet of 100 seeds]. https://strictlymedicinalseeds.com/product/echinacea-purpurea-packet-of-100-seeds-organic/

9. TMH, T. S. (2022, December 26). Plant database. Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - The University of Texas at Austin. https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=ecpu