Sun hat

A distinction is made between the purple coneflower (also red coneflower, see Echinacea purpurea herba, Echinacea purpurea radix), the pale coneflower and the narrow-leaved coneflower. The purple coneflower is the largest of the three coneflower species. It grows 60 to 180 cm tall, the pale coneflower 40 to 120 cm tall, and the narrow-leaved coneflower 10 to 50 cm tall. All three species have large oblong-lanceolate leaves with rough hairs. Echinacea originates from North America and belongs to the daisy family (Asteraceae), which was already used by Indians as a remedy (especially E. pallida) to treat colds, snakebites and otherwise. Today, extracts enjoy popularity only in Europe, especially in Germany. Flowering time is late summer. The immunostimulant effect attributed to various echinacea products is not scientifically proven.

Phytopharmacologically, the above-ground parts (Echinacea purpurea herba) of purple coneflower are used, especially also the juice of the fresh herb, but also the dried underground parts(Echinacea purpurea radix), see also Echinacea pallida radix.

Echinacea purpurea the red coneflower is parent plant of Echinacea purpurea herba, the purple coneflower.
Echinacea purpurea radix is an officinal preparation (Ph.Eur.8; monograph ESCOP) of the whole or cut, dried root of Echinacea purpurea.
Echinaceae pallidae radix is an officinal preparation (Ph.Eur.8; monograph ESCOP, Commission E) from the whole or the cut, dried root of Echinacea pallida the "pale coneflower root".
Echinaceae angustifoliae radix is an officinal preparation (Ph.Eur.8) from the whole or the cut, dried root of Echinacea angustifolia the "narrow-leaved coneflower root".

See also Echinaceae angustifoliae extract (INCI) and Echinaceae angustifoliae leaf extract (INCI).

The extracts are said to have a non-specific immunostimulating effect.

Applications in cosmetics: S. Echinaceae angustifoliae extract (INCI) and Echinaceae angustifoliae leaf extract (INCI).

Notice! Echinacea preparations can cause severe, sometimes life-threatening allergies (see below Compositae)! However, sensitizations are rather rare. The allergens are not exactly defined.

• Systemic application: chills, febrile reactions, nausea, allergic reactions of immediate type.
• Topical application: paragroup allergy.
• With prolonged use (> 8 weeks) risk of hepatotoxicity, cave combination with other hepatoxic drugs.

• Systemic application: Tuberculosis, leukaemias, collagenosis, multiple sclerosis, allergy to Asteraceae.
• Topical application: Paragroup allergy.

Bagnisan® med. spa, Bladder Kidney Tea Uroflux® vegetable tea, Echinacea, Echinacin, Palmisan, Echinacin Ointment Madaus, Gerner Lymphaticum new, Hewekzem novo Ointment, Hocura® Spondylose Ointment, Wound Healing Ointment S

1. Arberer W (2008) Contact allergy and medicinal plants. JDDG 6: 15-24
2. Mitchell JC et al (1979) Botanical Dermatology. Vancouver, Greengrass
3. https://medicinal-plant-encyclopedia.info/coneflower.php.
4. Wenigmann M. (2017) Phytotherapy medicinal drugs, phytopharmaceuticals, application. Urban & Fischer, pp. 84-85 and 176-178.
5. https://pflanzen.fnr.de/industrial-plants/medicinal-plants/pflanzen-datenbank.