100 lines
4.8 KiB
Plaintext
100 lines
4.8 KiB
Plaintext
The beauty of Echinacea is equal its value medicinally. The
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intense purple rosy and daisy-like flowers outshine most flowers
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in the herb garden. Even the Monarch butterflies find it
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attractive. This perennial plant's natural habitats are the
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prairies and dry plains of North America, mainly in the U.S.A.,
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from southern Saskatchewan and Manitoba, down into Texas.
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The most common species of purple coneflowers are E.angustifolia,
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E.purpurea and E.pallida. E.angustifolia is in most demand
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medicinally though the other two mentioned species are just as
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effective when properly prepared. Below is a brief botanical
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description of the three common species:
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E.angustifolia - is smaller and delicate, grows to 2 ft. Leaves
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are lanceolate with smooth margins. Flower petals do not droop
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but spread outward from the seed-head.
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E.purpurea - grows to 5 ft. A robust plant with many ovate
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leaves. Leaf margins are toothed. Flowers are large with petals
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drooping towards the stem.
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E.pallida - grows to 3 ft. Leaves are lanceolate with smooth
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margins. The colour of the flowers vary from purple to white and
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are drooping.
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The part of the plant used in herbal preparations is
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traditionally the root. When eating the fresh root an unusual
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tingling, numbing sensation occurs in the mouth and increases
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saliva flow. This anesthetic-like effect is also present in the
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seeds when sprouted. It is a good indicator as to how fresh the
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Echinacea preparation is.
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With today' attention on immune deficiency diseases, this is one
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herb we cannot overlook. Research in Europe indicates that
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Echinacea does stimulate the immune system. This occurs when the
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polysaccharides present in the plant, (complex carbohydrates
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which convert into sugars), stimulate the T cell lymphocytes,
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which in turn increases the production of interferon. This
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interferon activity protects cells against viral and bacterial
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infections. One polysaccharide named echinacin B has been
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isolated from E.angustifolia & E.purpurea and its' effect is
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healing for inflammations, wounds and swellings.
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Echinacea also contains an essential oil which has been tested in
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the treatment of tumors.One case history involves a strong
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reaction to mosquito and black-fly bites. Symptoms are abnormal
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skin swellings and swollen lymph nodes. Echinacea taken
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internally reduced the swellings.
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Another case history involves the Epstein-barr virus, (a herpes-
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like virus). Ingestion of Echinacea over a period of time, along
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with dietary changes, improved the vitality of the immune system.
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Energy level increased along with an improved resistance to
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minor colds and flu.
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The Native Indians used Echinacea for snake bites. They were
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aware of Echinacea's blood cleansing properties and also used the
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plant for cancers and infections.
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Echinacea is most effective when used in its' fresh state. If you
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are buying dried roots chew a piece first, if there is no numbing
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sensation in the mouth then the roots are old or improperly
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dried. E.angustifolia dries well, though reports indicate that
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this species is sometimes substituted with E.purpurea or
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E.pallida and sold as E.angustifolia. The roots are best
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harvested in fall. Being a native plant this is one instance
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where we do not have to rely on importation and we should
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encourage the local herb farming of this species, (although it
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does take at least 3 years for the roots to mature and make it
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worthwhile digging up the plant!).
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Dosage of Echinacea tincture is up to 30 drops, 3 times a day for
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adults depending on the seriousness of the ailment. The tincture
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is usually taken for the duration of the illness, but of course
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there is a saying that you can take too much of a good thing, and
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this is true with Echinacea. For example if you drink coffee
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every day the pick me up effect will eventually over stimulate
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you or will cease to work. Do not ingest Echinacea continuously
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over a long period of time, give your body a periodic rest from
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the immune stimulation.
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The only observed side effect from ingesting Echinacea is nausea,
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although this is rare. It usually indicates that the body is full
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of toxins, so decrease your intake of the herb.
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Anyone who would like to obtain this or any other tincture can
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leave me a personal message here in the Garden. Alternatively it
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can be purchased from the Occult Store on Vaughn Rd.
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THIS ARTICLE IS COPYWRITE. IT MAY BE COPIED AND DISTRIBUTED
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PROVIDED THIS NOTICE IS NOT REMOVED.
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BOTANIC MEDICINE SOCIETY, BOX 82, STN. A, WILLOWDALE, ONTARIO,
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CANADA. M2N 5S7.
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Membership in the Botanic Medicine Society is available. Mail
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$25.00 to the above address and receive the quarterly magazine The
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Herbalist for one year. An essential reference for all those with
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an interest in herbs and herbalism.
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