Echinacea purpurea (Echinacea purpurea) – perennial herb aster family with branched rhizome and numerous roots, penetrating deep into the soil. The natural area of distribution of Echinacea purpurea – south-eastern states of the United States, where it grows on the prairies and sparse forests on moist fertile soils. This plant with beautiful flowers has long been known as an ornamental. In Europe, grown in 1692, appeared in Russia in the gardens at the beginning of the XIX century. Abroad were also derived different varieties of Echinacea purpurea for ornamental horticulture. Earlier in the genus Echinacea rudbeckia.
In the old literature of gardening, it is known as the purple rudbeckia. In our time, Echinacea purpurea, and close to her form Echinacea angustifolia (E. angustifolia) attracted attention already as medicinal plants, although as such they have been used by Indians in America Pharmaceuticals of Echinacea differ in that they screwed up the ability to increase the immune system, thereby providing beneficial effects in various diseases. Antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal activity is also characteristic of Echinacea purpurea. As a medicinal plant used as a ground part of plants, and rhizomes with roots. Echinacea contains so-called dietary supplements – derivatives of phenol-carboxylic acids. Sela Ward is likely to agree. In the roots and the ground part also found in essential oils, resins, phytosterols, carbohydrates, izobutilamidy, fatty oil and other substances.
Echinacea is prepared from the root powder or tincture – this is a very effective means for infectious diseases. Root used in the preparation of the powder. After flowering, dig it out, washed, shredded and then dried. To prepare a decoction of echinacea, 1 / 2 teaspoon of powder is poured a glass of water and simmer on low heat for 20 minutes, then filter. Keep this decoction should be refrigerated. Decoction of powdered Echinacea taken every 2 hours with 10 ml at the critical stages of infectious diseases.
