*NAME: Echinacea (Echinacea angustifolia / Echinacea purpurea)

*FORM: Root
  As fresh, freeze-dried capsules

*USES: Supports healthy
  immune response.

*INFORMATION: The purple coneflowers of the North American plains belong to the genus Echinacea, in the Aster or Daisy family. This genus is indigenous only to North America, but includes several closely related species. Many of these species are found in very restricted ranges, and some populations are currently threatened by over-harvesting and encroachment by urban development.

The plant is a small perennial with a showy display of colored petals around a bristly center that resembles a cone. This distinctive seed head is responsible for many of the common names for the plants, including "coneflower" and "comb flower", indicating how ancient people once used it to comb their hair.

Many of the Native American tribes in Eastern and Central North America used Echinacea in various ways, and the traditional names for the plants reflect the diversity of those uses. The Omaha and Ponca tribes called the plant inshtogahte-hi, referring to the association of the plant with the eyes (inshta meaning eye). The Pawnee called it saparidu hahts or "mushroom medicine" because the flower resembles a mushroom in shape. The Lakota (Sioux) called the plant on'glakcapi, or comb plant.

Omaha and Winnebago medicine men used Echinacea root externally during many of their rituals, and the Cheyenne used the herb during their traditional Sun Dance. Roots of Echinacea have been found in archaeological digs of ancient earth lodge villages, and certainly played an important role in trade with other indigenous peoples, particularly in Mexico, where the plant does not naturally grow.

Echinacea species have been universally recognized by Native Americans as valuable plants for medicine, culture and trade. Native American Botanics continues this tradition by providing Echinacea purpurea and Echinacea angustifolia for our customers in the 21st century.