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Echinacea is a show off of a plant. It really is .. if you have seen it you’ll know what I mean – great big purple flowers which say hey look at me. It’s common name is Purple Coneflower and it has reason to be a show off as it does a big job. Echinacea is the herb we frequently turn to in the Winter. It is the first herb I use to boost immunity when I feel that tickle at the back of the throat or get that first sneeze and know I am heading for a few days of misery. BUT this doesn’t have to be because Echinacea has the ability to stimulate the immune system or increase the white blood cell count (our natural immunity) and ward off infections.

Echinacea is not native to Europe but comes from the States although now can be found in gardens across Ireland, the UK and Europe. It’s a member of the daisy or Compositae family. The native Indians used this plant to treat snake bite which goes to show how powerful it is. The root or the flower is used, the root being the more powerful. You will taste a peppery tingly taste on your tongue from good quality Echinacea root – so you know from the minute it hits your tongue things are starting to work.

Echinacea is not a herb to take continually as many people think. It should be taken in short sharp bursts when infection hits. Dosage is not straight forward with Echinacea and frequently cautious amounts are taken which don’t knock the infection on the head. A medical herbalist is well trained in how to use this tricky but highly effective plant and so if you are unsure this is the way to go.

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