Coneflower

The purple coneflower Echinacea purpura, and its close relatives, E. angustifolia and E. pallida, are the source of the herb Echinacea, which is widely popular as a nonspecific immune stimulant. These perennials are native to the prairies of North America and are now widely grown garden ornamentals. The root and aerial parts of the plant are the portions used, and the preparation s potency can be verified by the transient tingling sensation produced when it is tasted. Echinacea contains alkamides, caffeic acid esters (echinacoside, cichoric acid, caftaric acid), polysaccharides (heteroxylan), and an essential oil. Some echinacea products are standardized for their echinacoside content. In the past, adulteration with American feverfew (Parthenium integri-folium) was common. Echinacea is now sold either by itself or in combination with golden seal or zinc for the treatment of colds and influenza. 

Echinacea, coneflower, narrow -leaved purple coneflower, Rudbeckia)... 

Echinacea. The several varieties of this plant, also called the purple coneflower, are used to strengthen the body s immune system and for both prevention and treatment of colds and flu. Sixteen clinical trials involving over 3,000 patients have produced mixed results. In some of the studies, echinacea reduced the severity and duration of colds and flu. However, the evidence that this herb can actually prevent colds and flu is weak at best. 

Echinacea (pronounced ek-a-NAY-sha) or purple coneflower is a perennial plant in the Compositae or daisy family (Foster, 1985). Traditional literature has reported that nine species of Echinacea exists in nature. However, under a new reclassification system, eight varieties are categorized under only four species (Binns et al., 2002a). Echinacea (E.) pallida var. angustifolia (hereafter referred to as E. angustifolia) and E. purpurea are the most common species of Echinacea. E. angustifolia is a wild flower in North... 

Gray, D., Roberts, C., Rottinghaus, G., Garrett, H., and Pallardy, S. 2001. Quantification of root chicoric acid in purple coneflower by near infrared reflectance spectroscopy. Crop Sci. 41, 1159-1161. 

Hall III, C., Schwarz, J., Shultz, K., 2001. The antioxidant activity of the purple coneflower (Echinacea). Abstracts of the 92nd AOCS Annual Meeting Expo, May 13-16, Minneapolis, MN. (http //www.aocs.org/archives/am2001 wp.htm). 

Jacobson, M. 1954. Occurrence of a pungent insecticidal principle in American Coneflower roots. Science 120, 1028-1029. 

Sun, L., Currier, N., and Miller, S. 1999. The American Coneflower a prophylactic role involving nonspecific immunity. J. Ahem. Complement. Med. 5, 437-446. 

Figure 3.11 The Yellow Daisy or Coneflower is a plant with a two-year life cycle (biennials). 

Echinacea (purple coneflower) Echinops (globe thistle)... 

Ratibida (prairie coneflower) Rayjacksonia (tansy aster) Reichardia (bright eye)... 

Echinacea species (coneflower, black Sampson hedgehog, Indian head, snakeroot, red sunflower, scurvy root) have become increasingly popular, particularly for the prophylaxis and treatment and prevention of cold and flu symptoms. However, the claimed efficacy of Echinacea in the common cold has not been confirmed in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (20) or a systematic review (21). Echinacea is claimed to have antiseptic and antiviral properties and is under investigation for its immunostimulant action. The active ingredients are glycosides (echinacoside), polysaccharides, alkamides, and flavonoids. 

Cynara scolymus (artichoke) Echinacea species (coneflower) Eupatorium species (thoroughwort) inuia helenium (elecampane) Petasites species (butterbur) Senecio species (ragwort)... 

Echinacea species (coneflower) Eieutherococcus senticosus (Siberian ginseng)... 

Veratrum species (heiiebore) Liiiaceae (iiiy) Coneflower Echinacea species... 

Purple, daisylike petals surround the prickly, brown centers of purple coneflower s [Echinacea purpurea) 1 "-4" wide blossoms. Plants grow 3-4 tall and bloom from early summer until frost. The cone-shaped centers persist throughout the winter, providing interest after the petals have fallen. Pale cone-flower [E. pallida) has creamy white petals. 

Japanese beetles can quickly skeletonize the foliage of purple coneflowers. See Leaves and/or flowers with holes on page 176 for... 

Plant coneflowers in full sun to partial shade in average, well-drained soil. Plants are hardy and moderately tolerant of drought excess moisture promotes fungal diseases. Coneflowers self-sow but are not invasive. Divide clumps every 4-5 years to maintain vigorous, trouble-free plantings. 

Canna, Canna Carnation, Dianthus Cedar, Cedrus Celosia, Celosia China aster, Callistephus Chrysanthemum, Chrysanthemum Clematis, Clematis Cockscomb, Celosia Coleus, Coleus Columbine, Aquilegia Coneflower, Echinacea, Rudbeckia... 

Poplar, Populus Poppy, Papaver Pot marigold. Calendula Primrose, Primula Privet, Ligustrum Purple coneflower. Echinacea Pyracantha, Pyracantha Red cedar, Juniperus Rhododendron, Rhododendron Rock cress, Arab is Rose, Rosa... 

Synonyms Black Sampson Coneflower Nigger-head Rudbeckia... 

Echinacea, better know as the purple coneflower, is a plant native to the United State and can be found growing as a wildflower in the prairies of the Great Plains states and as far south as Texas. The flowers are a rich purple and the florets are seated round a high cone. It has a faint aromatic smell, with a sweetish taste that leaves a tingling sensation, an indication of isobutylamides. 

Echinacea is a group of American coneflowers in the Family Asteraceae/ Compositae. There are nine species of the plant included in the genus. Three of these are typically seen in herbal preparations Echinacea purpurea, Echinacea angustifolia, and Echinacea pallida. Common preparations consist of freshly pressed or ethanolic extracts of the roots, leaves, and flowers as well as dried portions of the plants. E. purpurea is the most commonly used species, although it is often seen in combination with E. angustifolia (1). 

Voaden DJ, Jacobsen M. Tumor Inhibitors. 3. Identification and synthesis of an oncolytic hydrocarbon from American coneflower roots. J Med Chem 1972 15 619-623. 

Sun LZ, Currier NL, Miller SC. The American coneflower a prophylactic role involving nonspecific immunity. J Altem Complement Med 1999 5 437 146. 

Lee, I.M., Bottner, K.D., Dally, E.L. and Davis, R.E. (2008). First report of Purple Coneflower phyllody associated with a 16SrI-B phytoplasma in Maryland. Plant Disease, 92 654. 

Radisek, S., Ferant, N., Jakse, J. and Javomik, B. (2009). Identification of a phytoplasma from the aster yellows group infecting purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) in Slovenia. Plant Pathology, 58 392. 

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