Herb of the Month-Echinacea

Since there are not many parts of the Echinacea plant that are used, other than the plant’s roots, I will cover the indications for its use.  The properties of the root are: cooling / drying, antiseptic, and immune enhancer. The indications for immunity issues are: “low immunity where the person has frequent infections; sepsis; allergies with marked inflammation; acute stage of mononucleosis; typhoid fever (Alfs, 53)”.

On the plains the Echinacea plant grows wild. “Plains Indians used these rugged plants as vegetables, symbolic and ceremonial foods, and for countless medicinal needs (Kavasch and Baar, 124).” The fresh roots would be dug up, washed, then “chewed for toothache relief (Ibid.)…” and of course a multitude of other purposes.

In our modern times Echinacea can be bought as a dried herb, crème, ointment, salve, sprays, and lozenges.  Teas, extracts, and tinctures can be made using the roots (chopped of course). Tinctures and extracts are usually the base used in crèmes, ointments, and salves.

The seeds were sometimes eaten by plains tribal people. These can also be processed for an oil. Early plains healers perceived the ovary-like flowering head, or cone as a sign from the earth as to its use. The seeds “heads” were used in fertility and love medicines. (Kavasch and Baar) Teas and decoctions were also prepared using the whole top of the Echinacea plant for childbirth and healing purposes.

In my research I found no flower remedies made from the flower of the Echinacea plant, and no notation as to its use as an essence oil.  But, I had not seen either used for the Mullein plant either (will be discussed at some other point). Yet the Echinacea plant was used both as a decoction and inhalant for mild forms of upper respiratory ailments using dried and chopped upper ground portions of the Echinacea plant.

Alfs, matthew.  300 Herbs: Their Indications & Contraindications.  Old Theology Book House, 2003.

E. Barrie Kavasch and Karen Barr.  American Indian Healing Arts.  Bantam Books, 1999.

Nutrition

A person can see a change in their health just by eliminating from their diet “empty calories”.  By this, I mean processed and refined foods such as “enriched” flour, white sugar, and pre-packaged meals. But to prevent disease, or slow down the process of a debilitating disease it means re-arranging your thinking about what you eat, and dietary change.

 Artichokes. Watercolor on paper. Copr. Donna Duncan, 2002

But keep in mind, that healing through diet is a slow process, taking a lot of determination and will-power.  It certainly was for me! I had to retrain my taste buds as I learned how to eat better.  

The American public is used to going to the doctor and getting a pill or shot for health issues.  But, what is interesting to me, not always feeling better after starting medication.  They often experience side-affects and are given “remedies” for the side-affects. 

We are a lazy society. Americans want instant gratification without any effort.  Overall, food preparation is left in the hands of food producers, in pre-packaged meals. We get instant packaged foods that you just “add water” to eat.

If you are not having health problems, than consider changing your diet as a preventative. You know the old adage: “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”? 

Let’s look at some facts about American health:

Statistics have shown that the rate of increase in cancer cases within the United States has increased 47% for males, 38% for women.  The worst part of this statistic is that the “rates at which we die from cancer are the highest in the world (Campbell and Campbell, 12)”.

Obesity is on the increase in the United States.  According to the National Center for Health Statistics 1/3 of the adults over 20 years old are obese!  A person is considered obese when a person is carrying a third or more weight above what is considered healthy.

Diabetes also has increased.  The increase in the 30-39 year old age range is 70%. What is more alarming is that 34% statistically may not even be aware they have the disease!

According to The China Study “…the most pervasive killer in our culture is not obesity, diabetes or cancer. It is Heart Disease (15)”.  Heart disease can be prevented by eating healthier, it can also be reversed.

-T. Colin Campbell, PhD and Thomas M. Campbell II. The China Study.  BenBella Books, 2005

Alternative Healing

Today I am going to discuss Herbal Healing, in general.  Herbal Healing deals with the therapeutic nature and properties of herbal plants. Herbs can be medicinal, culinary or both. An example of a medical herb is Echinacea. For an example of culinary herbs we may use something like Marjoram. For both culinary and medicinal we could use ginger root, as an example.

The active portion of the herb is called a “constituent[i]”.  This is the portion that scientists had isolated and synthesized to prepare medicine.  Unfortunately, this is not the whole aspect of healing with herbs! The whole plant or the active portion is necessary in order to get the full benefit of the herb, which is a living organism. The isolation of one part is not a natural harmonious act, and does not contain the effects of environment on the plant.  This is the reason that synthesized herbal parts have caused poisonous or even sometimes dangerous side-affects.

 Melissa or Lemon Balm, from my garden

Herbs can be gathered in the wild (wild-crafting), purchased from a store (usually in a dried form), or grown in the garden[ii]. Growing your own herbs can be a enriching experience.  You can plant the seed and watch its growth from seedling to mature plant.  If you purchase from a store, make sure you know where their herbals are harvested, and how they are grown. Do not wild-craft unless you are completely positive about the identification of the herbal plant.  Some herbals look very much like other plants that are poisonous! 

My suggestion is to begin by finding a good herbal supply store. While beginning to work with herbs, you can decide on a few herbs to plant in your garden or in pots (if you have no yard) and start growing herbs.

"Constituents" will be next week.

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[i] To be discussed in the next blog

[ii] Suggested book list will be in an upcoming blog