Coneflower (Echinacea spp.), sometimes called purple coneflower, black samson, or just echinacea, is part of the Asteraceae (daisy) family (1). This drought-resistant perennial attracts bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. Echinacea is native to the United States and loves full sun conditions. It is one of the most popular herbs used in Western herbalism today, which has certainly contributed to the United Plant Savers listing echinacea as an at-risk plant for endangerment (2). 

Botanical Name: Echinacea spp.

Family: Asteraceae (daisy)

Parts Used: Aerial parts and roots

Energetics: Cooling, stimulating

Key Constituents: Alkylamides, beta-carotene, caffeic acid, cynarin, echinacoside, isobutylamides, linoleic acid, polysaccharides, sesquiterpenes, tannins, vitamin C

Herbal Actions: Alterative, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, bitter, detoxifying, immunomodulant, immune stimulant, lymphatic, sialagogue, vulnerary 

Interested in learning more about herbal actions? Access my “Understanding Herbal Actions” guide, exclusively available in my Facebook group, The Holistic Hipppie Community!

According to the Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine, echinacea has been used in traditional Native American medicine for centuries. The Comanche traditionally used it for simple toothaches and sore throats. Meanwhile, the Sioux used it for more complex ailments like rabies, snake bites, and septic conditions. Today, Western herbalism utilizes echinacea for all types of illnesses, including viral, fungal, and skin infections, even allergies, especially when the immune system is struggling.

As mentioned above, echinacea is a stimulating herb with cooling energetics. Interestingly, stimulating plants typically have warming properties, but echinacea is unique in this sense. Echinacea’s cooling properties make it a great option for countering heat and inflammation associated with illnesses and infections. I particularly like echinacea when swollen glands are present since it’s also a detoxifying, lymphatic herb.

How to Identify & Forage for Echinacea in the Wild

Echinacea can be identified by its hairy stem with a single pink to light purple flower that grows up to 4 feet tall. The daisy-like flowers bloom in June and July. Echinacea has 15 to 20 notched petals that droop downward and curve under the flower as they mature (3). Young flowers appear narrower-leafed (similar to the smaller Echinacea augustifolia variety) before fully blooming… check out this young echinacea plant I photographed visiting the Pisgah National Forest in Western North Carolina. The ray-like petals connect to the brown conical (cone-shaped) disk at the center of the flower (hence, the common name, coneflower). The leaves are simple (meaning undivided), narrowly lance-shaped, and alternating on the stem (4). 

As forementioned, the United Plant Savers lists echinacea as an at-risk plant. They list astragalus (Astragalus membranaceus), boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum), and marshmallow (Althaea officinalis) as potential alternatives (5). I do not recommend foraging for echinacea in the wild, unless you are certain you can responsibly harvest without impacting the species ability to survive. Avoid wildcrafting if you have access to backyard, local, or nursery-grown echinacea. If you happen to find a wild patch you’d like to gather, ensure it isn’t isolated (meaning you can see more) and that it’s thriving. Only harvest mature flowers and roots (3 years or older, though it’s probably best to leave wild roots intact) to ensure survival of the plant. 

As always, be careful of look-alikes. Do not harvest or consume plants you’re unsure of. Always harvest ethically and never collect from private property without direct permission. When harvesting from public spaces, consider the impacts on native plant populations. If you’re unsure about the surrounding plants, be careful and avoid disturbing them, as they may also be an endangered or threatened species. Remember, always be kind to the earth and harvest only what you need. Never take more than ⅓ of what’s available to ensure the survival of the plant. 

Need help identifying a plant? I find the Facebook ID group, Plant Identification, super helpful.

Research-Backed Health Benefits of Echinacea

There are nine species of echinacea, but only three have research supporting their use in herbal medicine: Echinacea purpurea, Echinacea angustifolia, and Echinacea pallida (6). The aerial (above-ground) parts and roots of echinacea are used in herbal preparations. In other words, the entire plant is edible with medicinal purposes, such as:

Antioxidant Properties

Antioxidants can help protect against damage caused by harmful free radicals. The buildup of free radicals has been linked to chronic diseases, such as cancer and heart disease (7). Echinacea’s plant compounds, such as caftatic acid, cicoric acid, and echinacoside, function as antioxidants (8).

One study found that caffeic acid was the primary compound in water extracts of E. pallida and E. purpurea flowers and leaves. However, cichoric acid was most abundant in alcohol extracts (9). Compounds called alkamides (which cause a tingly, numbing feeling on your tongue when properly extracted) and phenolic compounds, such as chlorogenic acid, are also present (10). Additionally, antioxidant properties appear to be more significant in fruits and flowers than in leaves and roots of vacuum freeze-dried and cool wind-dried echinacea when stored away from light (11). 

May Support the Immune System

Echinacea is quite popular for its immune-supporting properties. If you read my post, “The Importance of Immune Health,” you know that our immune system protects our body from outside invaders, such as bacteria, fungi, viruses, and other toxins (12).  When you support your immune system, you can improve your body’s ability to fight sickness.

Studies show echinacea reduces the risk of developing a cold by more than 50% and shortens its duration by 1.5 days (13). It’s important to note that echinacea’s main immunostimulatory activity is water-soluble and found in all plant parts (14). Additionally, echinacea’s antioxidant properties enhance the body’s immune cell activity, including macrophages (white blood cells) and natural killer cells, which stimulate cytokine production and phagocytosis (15).

Antiseptic Properties

An antiseptic property is when a substance, or in this case, an herb, can slow or destroy microorganisms that cause infections (16). Echinacea’s antioxidant and immune-supporting properties play a role in its antiseptic properties. Additionally, echinacea contains antibacterial, antiviral, and even vulnerary (wound-healing) properties (17,18,19).

One study found that echinacea root extract can help the immune system combat infections by reducing the number and function of regulatory T cells (T lymphocytes) in the body’s adaptive immune system (20). Renowned herbalist David Winston, RH (AHG), notes using echinacea for infections, abscesses, and psoriasis. He also mentions acute viral or bacterial infections, including bronchitis, colds, and flu, as well as septicemia, Streptococcus, and Staphylococcus (21).

Anti-Inflammatory Properties

Thanks to its antioxidant compounds, echinacea can reduce inflammation, especially from free radical damage. Like free radicals, chronic inflammation is linked to many diseases, including type 2 diabetes, asthma, and certain cancers (22). Several studies have uncovered echinacea’s ability to combat excess inflammation. An animal study found echinacea compounds help reduce important inflammatory markers and memory loss caused by inflammation in mice (23). Another study found that adults with osteoarthritis taking echinacea extract experienced significantly reduced inflammation, chronic pain, and swelling, which previously didn’t respond well to conventional non-steroidal inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) (24).

May Promote Skin Health

Skin health is important. The skin covers the entire external surface of the human body, making it the largest organ (25). Our skin acts as a protective barrier, preventing germs from entering the body (26). Echinacea’s anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antiseptic properties make this herb an excellent option for improving skin health, even for skin infections. 

Research has shown that echinacea may help address common skin concerns such as acne, wrinkles, and even eczema. In vitro, researchers discovered that echinacea’s anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties suppressed the growth of Propionibacterium, a common cause of acne (27). Another study of participants aged 25-40 found that echinacea-containing skin care products improved skin hydration and reduced the appearance of wrinkles (28). A final study found that an echinacea-containing cream improved eczema symptoms and helped repair the skin’s protective outer layer (29). 

Our friends over at the Matthew Wood Institute of Herbalism mention using echinacea to support the body during recovery from venomous bites from snakes, brown recluse spiders, and other venomous creatures, by helping remove pus and infection (30). The best part is that science supports echinacea’s role in fighting skin pathogens as well as respiratory and viral infections, even in children (17,31).

May Help Control Blood Sugar Levels

As of 2020, 34.2 million (1 in 10) Americans had diabetes. Another 88 million (1 in 3) Americans had prediabetes (32). In vitro, echinacea helped lower blood sugar levels in people with diabetes. One study found that echinacea suppressed enzymes that digest carbohydrates, reducing the amount of sugar entering the blood when consumed (33). Other studies found that echinacea extracts activated the PPAR-γ receptor (a common target of diabetes drugs), thereby increasing the cell sensitivity to insulin’s effects (34,35). 

May Reduce Anxiety

Suppose you read my blog, 5 Herbs to Reduce Stress & Anxiety. In that case, you know anxiety and stress usually go hand-in-hand. Twenty percent of American adults deal with anxiety (36). Thankfully, animal and human studies have found that echinacea may have anxiolytic properties. In an animal study, 60% of echinacea samples reduced anxiety in mice without affecting activity levels (37). Another study found that echinacea rapidly reduced anxiety in mice and human trials (38). This anti-anxiety effect is due to plant compounds such as alkamides, rosmarinic acid, and caffeic acid (39).

Anticancer Properties

In 2022, there were over 2.6 million new cases of cancer in the United States, with almost 10 million people who lost their battle worldwide (40,41). That is a lot; however, a diagnosis or genetic predisposition doesn’t define your outcome. Genetics may load the gun, but environmental factors and lifestyle choices often pull the trigger.

Thankfully, echinacea may help. In vitro studies show echinacea may offer protection against cancer, which may occur due to echinacea’s immunomodulatory effects (42). One study uncovered echinacea’s ability to trigger cancer cell death(43). Another demonstrated echinacea’s ability to suppress the growth of colon and pancreatic cancer cells (44). 

Safety Information, Contraindications & Interactions

Eastern and Western herbalists have been using echinacea long before pharmaceuticals were created. This herb is considered safe and well-tolerated by most people when used in moderation (45,46). Our friends over at LearningHerbs.com and The School of Evolutionary Herbs have excellent information on its use in herbal practices. 

Echinacea should not be taken for longer than 10 consecutive days. Some herbalists claim it’s because it loses effectiveness, but the real problem is that herbal safety is a continuum. We use a scale of 1 through 5. A level one is a “nutritive herb” that can be used daily for an extended period. Level fives are “low-dose herbs” that are often stronger, more complex compounds, and require greater understanding to use safely (47). Echinacea ranks 4th as an “acute-use herb” because it is immunostimulating, and long-term use may overexert the body. This is why it’s important to take a break after ten days of echinacea usage. 

According to the mainstream, echinacea has many benefits and is generally safe, including for children when used for short periods of time (48). Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center notes minor side effects, including headache, dizziness, nausea, constipation, mild stomach pain, and skin rashes (49). WebMD says there have been rare reports of echinacea leading to liver injury (50). Additionally, I came across a study reporting additional side effects, such as angioedema, dyspnea, pruritus, erythema, and urticaria (51). Of course, an incorrect dose or improper use may contribute to adverse events, but reactions are always possible, especially allergic reactions, so informed consent is a must.

Echinacea is part of the daisy family. Those with a sensitivity to other plants in the Asteraceae (daisy) family may experience a reaction to echinacea. Rosemary Gladstar recommends discontinuing echinacea if you experience a runny nose, itchy eyes or ears, a scratchy throat, or other signs of an allergic reaction (52). However, it’s normal for your tongue to start tingling and feel almost numb after taking echinacea (which means the alkamide compounds extracted properly). My studies at the Herbal Academy taught me that there is a theoretical concern (but no data to support or refute) regarding using echinacea with systemic diseases like tuberculosis, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and autoimmune diseases (53). 

How to Use Echinacea & Product Recommendations

My go-to uses for echinacea are usually teas, tinctures, oral gargles, and respiratory steams, at the first sign of illness, especially when swollen glands are present. Dried roots are less potent due to oxidation (54). Since this is an at-risk-of-endangerment plant, I purchase dried, organic aerial (above-ground) parts from a sustainable producer like Mountain Rose Herbs until I can grow my own from Echinacea angustifolia or Echinacea purpurea seeds (by the way, Herbal Academy has an excellent blog on growing echinacea). Other reputable herbal suppliers include Frontier Co-op and Starwest Botanicals (also available on Amazon).

Looking for more reputable herbal suppliers? Check out my blog, 3 Ways to Source Herbs.

There are several medicinal preparation methods when working with echinacea, including the following:

• Herbal capsules (dried plant material) – use 500 mg
• Herbal decoction (specifically for roots) – use 1-30 grams of herb/day 
• Herbal infusions (specifically for flowers, leaves, and stems) – use 1-30 grams of herb/day.
• Herbal poultice – check out my school’s blog to learn how to make a poultice from fresh or dried herbs.
• Herbal tinctures – use 1-4 mL of a 1:5 herb-to-alcohol ratio with 40-55% alcohol, 3x per day, or 30 drops every hour, as needed for acute situations. 

Reminder: Echinacea should not be used for more than 10 consecutive days!

Knowing what I know about this herb, its volatile oil constituents, and how best to extract it, I believe echinacea would be a great addition to topical oil infusions and salves for skin health and wound-healing benefits. If making your home remedies isn’t quite your thing, I recommend a few premade herbal products, including:

• Gaia Herbs Quick Defense Liquid Phyto-Capsules are a vegan-friendly way to support your immune system. This fast-acting formula is made with highly concentrated supercritical echinacea, organic hand-harvested black elderberry, ginger root, and andrographis.
• Herb Pharm Echinacea Root Liquid Extract supports the healthy function of the body’s immune system. It is prepared in small batches with the organic root of Echinacea purpurea plants grown on their own southern Oregon farm. 
• Herb Pharm Soothing Throat Spray with sustainably sourced echinacea, propolis, hyssop, sage, and St. John’s wort. This formula eases minor discomfort and irritation, while also supporting the healthy function of the immune system.
• Herb Pharm Super Echinacea Liquid Extract provides foundational immune support to help you stay well. It’s prepared with organic flowers, leaves, roots, and seeds. Each plant part is extracted separately based on its unique biochemical profile, then blended to ensure a broad-spectrum formula.
• Herb Pharm Kids’ Alcohol-Free Extract features Echinacea purpurea in a glycerin base, making it sweeter-tasting and more enjoyable to take. This brand also offers a Kids’ version; however, it contains a small amount of sweet orange essential oil, so I typically stick to the plain glycerite version.
• Mary Ruth’s Echinacea Purpurea Liquid Extract is a whole-plant, alcohol-based tincture that supports immunity and respiratory health. These vegan-friendly drops are easy to take and blend effortlessly into water or juice, making daily use convenient and simple.
• Traditional Medicinal Echinacea Plus Tea contains echinacea, elderberry, ginger, chamomile, yarrow, and peppermint. This blend offers a sweet, tart flavor with fresh berry notes that help support the immune system.

Here’s my complete list of echinacea product recommendations on Amazon.

Product Disclaimer

Product recommendations are affiliate links. I do not own or make these products. Recommendations are selected according to ingredients at the time article was written and can change at any time. I encourage you to double-check ingredients and research each company to ensure they’re suitable for your journey.

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