Every Herb Has a Story: Treat Respiratory Health Problems with Echinacea

Reader Contribution by Staff
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Randy Buresh (Registered Nurse and Herbalist), is the co-owner and founder of Oregon’s Wild Harvest. Oregon’s Wild Harvest grows, harvests and produces their own medicinal herbal products, many of which use the herbs grown on their certified Biodynamic® and Organic farm in Sandy, Oregon.

In all places and cultures, there are herbs that have been used to promote health and well-being for many thousands of years. As astragalus is to Chinese Medicine, and ashwagandha is to Ayurveda, echinacea is the Native Americans (and later, to the early settlers). Scientists, who continue to study the many uses of this medicinal herb, has recently discovered that it may treat respiratory health problems.

Scientific research now supports many of echinacea’s traditional applications,
including treating respiratory health problems and healing wounds.

Echinacea has been the subject of many double-blind clinical trials and it lives up to its traditional history for supporting the immune system. Echinacea is considered safe and effective, and helps to stimulate viral-specific white blood cells. Echinacea purpurea has been extensively studied in Europe and is their “herb of choice” because of its proven safety for ages 2 and up (except for people with sensitivities to plants in the daisy family). Scientific research now supports many of the traditional applications of this plant, including maintaining good respiratory health and healing wounds.

This plant grows wild in the midwest and is known as the “purple coneflower.” It is easy to cultivate and is a good choice when planting a “backyard medicine chest” in your home or garden. Fresh plants can be dried in a food dehydrator, labeled and stored in quart glass jars in the freezer for later use. Then you’re ready to make yourself some fresh echinacea tea with local honey anytime.

So, if you’re starting to feel a little under the weather, or have been coughed on and sneezed on one to many times, it might be a good idea to try some freshly dried organic echinacea, from your own “backyard medicine chest,” or your local health food store. 

  • Published on Jan 10, 2012
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