"Latin Name: Echinacea angustifolia DC.
Family Name: Asteraceae (Compositae)
Common Name: Black Samson, Coneflower
Parts Used: Root and Seeds

Botanical Description:
Echinacea grows 30-100 cm (1-3') tall from a tap root. It
has bristly hairs on the stem and leaves. The leaves are mostly basal and
broadly lanceolate, 7-20 cm (2¾- 8'') long. The solitary flower head on stout
terminal peduncle, consisting of spreading ray florets and long conical erect
disc florets in the centre; appears from July to October and varies in color from
rose to purple. The taste of the root and the leaf is sweet at first, followed by a
tingling feeling in the mouth.

Distribution:
Native to central and south-western United States; on dry open woodland
and roadsides.

Cultivation:
Wild; rich, well-drained soil in sun. Propagate by seed sown in spring, by root
cuttings in late winter or by division any time when dormant.

Harvest:
Roots and rhizomes are lifted in autumn and dried.

Constituents:
Polysaccharides of unknown structure (E. pallida). An acid rhamnoarafinogalactan
from E. purpurea. Caffeic acid ester echinacoside in E. angustifolia. Echinacoside
present in all species of Echinacea. Cynarin in E. angustifolia root very characteristic. Alkylamides (mainly isobutylamides) found in most Echinacea species. Essential oil found throughout all the plant.

Properties: Alterative, Stimulating Antiseptic

The root of this plant is somewhat largely used in impurities of the blood,
as boils, carbuncles, gangrene, peurperal septicemia etc. It is used both
internally and externally. A good combination as an external application for
boils and carbuncles is equal parts of Black Samson and Ground Pine
(Lycopodium complantatum).
At the same time give internally:
Fluid Extract Echinacea ang. Simple Syrup Equal parts of each.
Dose one drachm three to six times daily.
Dr. Lye gives the following as a successful treatment for carbuncles:
Fluid Extract Lycopodium com. (Ground Pine) 5 drops Peroxide Hydrogen ½ drachm
Three times daily. "Apply a poultice of Flaxseed, Lobelia, powdered Slippery Elm, and Cayenne, wet with Enchinacea twice a day for four days. Put a napkin ring around the carbuncle and pour in a drachm of Peroxide Hydrogen and let it foam for a few minutes, twice a day." In the treatment of tuberculosis, many herbal practitioners use Echinacea with fine results. The student will find this article and Inula (Elecampane root) very fine in the treatment of such cases. In fermentative dyspepsia, combine some Echinacea with your other remedies. It will manifest its antiseptic and stimulating properties to good affect.

Contraindications:
1. BHC (1992) Volume 1 states none known. German commission E monographs states: In principle, not to be used in progressive conditions such as tuberculosis, leukosis, collagenosis, multiple sclerosis, AIDS, HIV, infection, and other autoimmune disorders. "
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