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while E. a. strigosa has a more limited range
The Echinacea herbal plant improves your immune system, beginning with tingly sensations in the mouth. Echinacea herbal plant stimulates T cell production in your body, macrophage activity, interferon production and inhibits hyaluronidase, thus making cells less susceptable to viral takeover. Echinacea herbal plant helps regenerate cells that have been damaged. It helps internal gangrene, exhibits some anti-tumor activity, and dilates the peripheral blood vessels.
Latin Name: Echinacea purpurea
Alternate Names: Coneflower, Snakeroot, Black Sampson, Purple Coneflower,
Family: ASTERACEAE
Useful part of the Echinacea herbal plant: rhizome, leaves, seeds, flowers, rhizome,
Echinacea angustifolia (Narrow-leaved purple
coneflower
blacksamson echinacea)
Alternative Names:
Echinacea angustifolia; Echinacea pallida; Echinacea purpurea; Purple coneflower
is a herbaceous plant species in Asteraceae. The
plants grow 40 to 70 centimetres (16 to 28 in) tall
with spindle-shaped taproots that are often
densely hairy.
E. angustifolia blooms late spring to mid summer. It
rocky to sandy-clay soils. There are two
subspecies: E. a. angustifolia is native
from Saskatchewan and Manitoba in the north
to New Mexico, Texas, and Louisiana in the south,
Many Native American groups used this plant for a
variety of medicinal purposes, including pain relief
and relief of colds and toothaches.
References
The Echinacea herbal plant improves your immune system, beginning with tingly sensations in the mouth. Echinacea herbal plant stimulates T cell production in your body, macrophage activity, interferon production and inhibits hyaluronidase, thus making cells less susceptable to viral takeover. Echinacea herbal plant helps regenerate cells that have been damaged. It helps internal gangrene, exhibits some anti-tumor activity, and dilates the peripheral blood vessels.
Keep in your mind: the excessive use of the Echinacea herbal plant can cause dizziness, nausea, excessive salivation and throat irritation. Echinacea herbal plant can be taken every couple of hours during acute infection, but do not use longer than few days.
The main natural herbal remedies of Echinacea: Carminative, Alterative, Vulnerary, Antibacterial, Stimulant, Antifungal, Sialagogue, Anti-inflammatory, Immune Stimulant, Antiseptic, Digestive Tonic, Antitumor, Depurative, Antiviral, Diaphoretic, Astringent,
Main application of the Echinacea medical herb: Flu, Abscess, Urinary Infections, Fever, Acne, Typhoid, Allergies, Tonsillitis, Blood Poisoning, Sore Throat, Boils, Scarlet Fever, Cancer, Measles, Mumps, Candida, Insect Bites, Chickenpox, Herpes, Colds, Gangrene, Eczema,
How can you prepare, eat, drink or buy Echinacea herbal plant: You can make Echinacea herbal tea or buy Echinacea herbal tincture, Echinacea capsules or dried Echinacea herb in any herbal shops, herbal stores or pharmacy.
The most common situation when you can use Echinacea as a herbal medicine: Eczema, Psoriasis, Wounds, Gangrene, Toothache, Gingivitis, Snakebites, Infection, Pyorrhea, Insect Bites,
The most common applications of Echinacea herbal plant: Fresh root of the Echinacea herbal plant is very good against of the alleviate toothaches if you chewed. If you make mouthwash from the Echinacea herbs it is very good for gingivitis and pyorrhea. You can make excellent salves from Echinacea herbs an this herbal plan is also very good for washes and poultices. You can use Echinacea herbal plant if you have venomous bites, such as spider, insect and snake, if your wounds are infected or gangrenous conditions you can use the Echinacea herbal plant in your if you want to make a very good and effective herbal cure..
Flavour of the Echinacea herbal plant: Cool, Bitter, Dry,
The main active agent of the Echinacea herbal plant: phenolics, mucopolycaccharides, betaine, echinacoside, sesquiterenes, echinaceine, polyacetylenes, isobutylmines, inulin, essential oils, linoleic, glycosides, palmetic acids,
The name of Echinacea herbal plant correspond to also three species: Echinacea angustifolia Echinacea purpurea and Echinacea pallida.
Thanks to herbalcureinfo.com
Description
Christmas candle is an evergreen shrub or small tree in frostfree areas, but is often grown as an annual in cooler climes. When it doesn't get frozen back, Christmas candle can get up to 30 ft (10 m) tall and, with its candelabra branching, as much as 15 ft (3 m) across. The huge pinnate leaves are up to 30 in (75 cm) long and composed of 7-14 pairs of large, oblong leaflets, each around 3-8 in (8-20 cm) long and 1-4 in (3-10 cm) wide. The cup shaped flowers are bright yellow, and carried in erect terminal clusters arising from leaf axils. The individual flowers are about an inch (2.5 cm) across. The standard is the longest petal and the other petals are similar to each other. The sepals that protect the flowers before they open are waxy and smooth to the touch. The candle-like flower clusters include open flowers at the bottom and unopened flowers with their waxy coverings at the top. The clusters stand 6-24 in (15-60 cm) tall. The fruit is a straight or slightly curved, winged pod around 4-8 in (11-19 cm) long. Late in the season, the inflorescence will have dry, brown pods at the bottom; green, still ripening pods above that; open flowers above that; and waxy sepal-covered flowers at the top.
Location
Senna (or Cassia) alata hails from the Tropics, including Africa, Southeast Asia, the Pacific Islands, and even tropical America. Such a widespread natural distribution for a single species is very uncommon.
Culture
Light: No surprise here - Christmas candle performs best in full sun.
Moisture: Normal garden soils and moisture suit this tropical shrub quite well. Mature plants are drought resistant.
Hardiness: USDA Zones 10-11. Christmas candle is a tropical shrub that dies as soon as temperatures get near freezing. But in Zones 7,8 and 9 you can grow it as an annual. Just start from seed along with your peppers and tomatoes each spring. It will still get 6-10 ft (2-3 m) tall and begin blooming in October.
Propagation: Christmas candle is easy to start from seed, and you can expect volunteer seedlings to emerge under last year's plants in late spring when soil temperatures warm. However, we recommend starting seeds indoors several weeks before the last frost to give the plants a head start on the season.
Usage
If you do not live in a frostfree climate, try growing a few Christmas candles along with castor beans (Ricinus cummunis), banana plants (Musa X paradisiaca), and yuca (Manihot esculenta) to have a little bit of tropical lushness in your temperate zone garden. All these will die to the ground in winter, of course, but they grow so fast (banana returning from its roots, yuca from a cutting, and the others from seed) you will have a tall, robust tropical looking garden by the end of a Zone 7, 8 or 9 summer. In frostfree areas, use Christmas candle in a shrub border or as a specimen plant. The bright yellow flowers attract insects, including butterflies and bees. In my garden, there are almost always some fire ants on the flowers (and even I don't consider that a plus). Christmas candle has a long blooming season, from autumn throughout the winter, or at least until the first frost.
Christmas candle is one source of chrysophanic acid, which is used in medicines that treat certain skin diseases, including ringworm. The compound is believed to have antiviral properties as well.
Features
Senna and Cassia are two genera that are sometimes combined, sometimes not, and contain species that can't seem to decide which genus they should be in. (Or is the botanists who can't decide?) Recent authors list about 260 species of Senna and 535 species of Cassia. Most are tropical, but both genera include a few temperate species.
http://www.sidhhaherbs.blogspot.com
Thanks to herbalcureinfo.com
Echinacea
Overview:
Echinacea is one of the most popular herbs in America today. This Native American medicinal plant called echinacea is named for the prickly scales in its large conical seed head, which resembles the spines of an angry hedgehog (echinos is Greek for hedgehog).
Archaeologists have found evidence that Native Americans may have used echinacea for more than 400 years to treat infections and wounds and as a general "cure-all." Throughout history people have used echinacea to treat scarlet fever, syphilis, malaria, blood poisoning, and diphtheria. Although this herb was popular during the 18th and 19th centuries, its use began to decline in the United States after the introduction of antibiotics. Echinacea preparations became increasingly popular in Germany throughout the 20th century. In fact, most of the scientific research on echinacea has been conducted in Germany.
Today, people use echinacea to shorten the duration of the common cold and flu and reduce symptoms, such as sore throat (pharyngitis), cough, and fever. Many herbalists also recommend echinacea to help boost the immune system and help the body fight infections.
General Uses
Several laboratory and animal studies suggest that echinacea contains active substances that enhance the activity of the immune system, relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and have hormonal, antiviral, and antioxidant effects. For this reason, professional herbalists may recommend echinacea to treat urinary tract infections, vaginal yeast (candida) infections, ear infections (also known as otitis media), athlete's foot, sinusitis, hay fever (also called allergic rhinitis), as well as slow-healing wounds. One study even suggests that echinacea extract exerted an antiviral action on the development of recurrent cold sores triggered by the herpes simplex virus (HSVI) when supplied prior to infection.
Common Cold
Whether or not echinacea helps prevent or treat the common cold remains under debate. Some studies have shown that the herb can make you feel better faster. Others suggest that echinacea has no impact on a cold at all. Several clinical trials have shown that people who take echinacea as soon as they feel sick reduce the severity of their cold and have fewer symptoms than those who do not take the herb. One study of 95 people with early symptoms of cold and flu (such as runny nose, scratchy throat, and fever) found that those who drank several cups of echinacea tea every day for 5 days felt better sooner than those who drank tea without echinacea.
A review of 14 clinical trials found that echinacea reduced the odds of developing a cold by 58% and the duration of a cold by 1 - 4 days. However, some experts dispute these findings claiming that there were several weaknesses in the analyses. Echinacea preparations tested in clinical trials differ greatly. It is important to choose a high quality echinacea supplement. Talk to your health care provider for recommendations.
Plant Description:
Echinacea is a perennial herb native to the midwestern region of North America. It has tall stems, bears single pink or purple flowers, and has a central cone that is usually purple or brown in color. The large cone is actually a seed head with sharp spines that resemble a stiff comb.
What's It Made Of?:
Echinacea contains several chemicals that play a role in its therapeutic effects. These include polysaccharides, glycoproteins, alkamides, volatile oils, and flavonoids.
The chemicals contained in the root differ considerably from those in the upper part of the plant. For example, the roots have high concentrations of volatile oils (odorous compounds) while the above-ground parts of the plant tend to contain more polysaccharides (substances known to trigger the activity of the immune system). The combination of these active substances is responsible for echinacea' s beneficial effects, though research suggests that the above ground portion of Echinacea purpurea is the most effective.
In Germany (where herbs are regulated by the government), the above-ground parts of Echinacea purpurea are approved to treat colds, upper respiratory tract infections, urinary tract infections, and slow healing wounds. The root of the Echinacea pallida plant is also approved for the treatment of flu-like infections.
Available Forms:
Three species of echinacea are commonly used for medicinal purposes: Echinacea angustifolia, Echinacea pallida, and Echinacea purpurea. Many echinacea preparations contain one, two, or even all three of these species. Different products use different parts of the echinacea plant. This is why the effectiveness of echinacea may differ from one product to another.
Echinacea (including one, two, or all three species) is available in extracts, tinctures, tablets, capsules, and ointments. It is also available in combination with other immune boosting herbs, vitamins, and minerals.
A study performed by ConsumerLab.com (an independent company that tests the purity of health, wellness, and nutrition products) found that of 11 brands of echinacea purchased for testing, only 4 contained what was stated on their labels. About 10% had no echinacea at all; half were mislabeled as to the species of echinacea in the product; and more than half of the standardized preparations did not contain the labeled amount of active ingredients.
Buy products made by reputable, established companies that distribute their products through trustworthy and knowledgeable establishments. When possible, select products with guaranteed potency or standardized extracts.
How to Take It:
Pediatric
You should work with your child's pediatrician or an herbal practitioner trained in children to determine pediatric dosing.
Use alcohol-free preparations for children.
Adult
For general immune system stimulation, during colds, flu, upper respiratory tract infections, or bladder infections, choose from the following forms and take 3 times a day until you feel better, but not for more than 7 - 10 days:
- 1 - 2 grams dried root or herb, as tea
- 2 - 3 mL of standardized tincture extract
- 6 - 9 mL of expressed juice (succus)
- 300 mg of standardized, powdered extract containing 4% phenolics
- Tincture (1:5): 1 - 3 mL (20 - 90 drops)
- Stabilized fresh extract: 0.75 mL (15 - 23 drops)
Apply creams or ointments for slow-healing wounds as needed.
Precautions:
The use of herbs is a time-honored approach to strengthening the body and treating disease. However, herbs contain active substances that may trigger side effects and interact with other herbs, supplements, or medications. For these reasons, people should take herbs only under the supervision of a health care provider knowledgeable in the field of botanical medicine.
People with tuberculosis, leukemia, diabetes, connective tissue disorders, multiple sclerosis, HIV or AIDS, any autoimmune diseases, or, possibly, liver disorders should not take echinacea. There is some concern that echinacea may reduce the effectiveness of medications that suppress the immune system. For this reason, people receiving organ transplants who must take immunosuppressant medications should avoid this herb. (See "Possible Interactions.")
In rare cases, echinacea may cause allergic reactions, ranging from a mild rash to anaphylaxis (a life-threatening reaction accompanied by throat tightening, shortness of breath, and, possibly, fainting). People with asthma and allergies may be at an increased risk for developing these adverse reactions. People with allergies to plants in the daisy family (compositae) should not take echinacea unless they do so under the supervision of a health care provider.
There has been one report of an individual developing erythema nodosum (a painful skin condition) after taking echinacea to treat the flu.
When taken by mouth, echinacea may cause temporary numbing and tingling on the tongue.
Despite concerns that echinacea may be unsafe for pregnant or breastfeeding women, evidence suggests that the use of echinacea during pregnancy does not increase the risk of birth defects or other pregnancy related health problems. Although not enough research has been done to determine echinacea's safety for pregnancy or breastfeeding, it's advisable to avoid use during pregnancy or breastfeeding until more conclusive studies are conducted.
Don't hesitate to talk to your doctor if you have questions.
Possible Interactions:
If you are taking any of the following medications, you should not use echinacea without first talking to your health care provider:
Econazole -- Echinacea may be useful in combination with econazole, an antifungal agent used to treat yeast infections (such as athlete's foot). When echinacea is used together with econazole, recurrence rates of these infections may be reduced.
Immunosuppressants -- Immunosuppressants refers to a group of medications that are used for two main purposes -- treating cancer and suppressing the immune system following organ transplant so that the new organ is not rejected. Because echinacea can enhance immune function, people should not use the herb with immunosuppressive medications, especially when taken for organ transplant. Thanks to Mary land Medical Centre.
Description
Christmas candle is an evergreen shrub or small tree in frostfree areas, but is often grown as an annual in cooler climes. When it doesn't get frozen back, Christmas candle can get up to 30 ft (10 m) tall and, with its candelabra branching, as much as 15 ft (3 m) across. The huge pinnate leaves are up to 30 in (75 cm) long and composed of 7-14 pairs of large, oblong leaflets, each around 3-8 in (8-20 cm) long and 1-4 in (3-10 cm) wide. The cup shaped flowers are bright yellow, and carried in erect terminal clusters arising from leaf axils. The individual flowers are about an inch (2.5 cm) across. The standard is the longest petal and the other petals are similar to each other. The sepals that protect the flowers before they open are waxy and smooth to the touch. The candle-like flower clusters include open flowers at the bottom and unopened flowers with their waxy coverings at the top. The clusters stand 6-24 in (15-60 cm) tall. The fruit is a straight or slightly curved, winged pod around 4-8 in (11-19 cm) long. Late in the season, the inflorescence will have dry, brown pods at the bottom; green, still ripening pods above that; open flowers above that; and waxy sepal-covered flowers at the top.
Location
Senna (or Cassia) alata hails from the Tropics, including Africa, Southeast Asia, the Pacific Islands, and even tropical America. Such a widespread natural distribution for a single species is very uncommon.
Culture
Light: No surprise here - Christmas candle performs best in full sun.
Moisture: Normal garden soils and moisture suit this tropical shrub quite well. Mature plants are drought resistant.
Hardiness: USDA Zones 10-11. Christmas candle is a tropical shrub that dies as soon as temperatures get near freezing. But in Zones 7,8 and 9 you can grow it as an annual. Just start from seed along with your peppers and tomatoes each spring. It will still get 6-10 ft (2-3 m) tall and begin blooming in October.
Propagation: Christmas candle is easy to start from seed, and you can expect volunteer seedlings to emerge under last year's plants in late spring when soil temperatures warm. However, we recommend starting seeds indoors several weeks before the last frost to give the plants a head start on the season.
 |
| This shrub-sized patch of Christmas candle is growing in Zone 8 where it dies back in winter and renews itself each spring. |
If you do not live in a frostfree climate, try growing a few Christmas candles along with castor beans (Ricinus cummunis), banana plants (Musa X paradisiaca), and yuca (Manihot esculenta) to have a little bit of tropical lushness in your temperate zone garden. All these will die to the ground in winter, of course, but they grow so fast (banana returning from its roots, yuca from a cutting, and the others from seed) you will have a tall, robust tropical looking garden by the end of a Zone 7, 8 or 9 summer. In frostfree areas, use Christmas candle in a shrub border or as a specimen plant. The bright yellow flowers attract insects, including butterflies and bees. In my garden, there are almost always some fire ants on the flowers (and even I don't consider that a plus). Christmas candle has a long blooming season, from autumn throughout the winter, or at least until the first frost.
Christmas candle is one source of chrysophanic acid, which is used in medicines that treat certain skin diseases, including ringworm. The compound is believed to have antiviral properties as well.
Features
Senna and Cassia are two genera that are sometimes combined, sometimes not, and contain species that can't seem to decide which genus they should be in. (Or is the botanists who can't decide?) Recent authors list about 260 species of Senna and 535 species of Cassia. Most are tropical, but both genera include a few temperate species.
http://www.sidhhaherbs.blogspot.com
