9 Echinacea Plant Uses for Your Health

Learn 9 Echinacea plant uses for health support in this blog post!

When it comes to natural health and holistic medicine, there is one herb that often stands out –  an herbal “rockstar” of sorts, known as echinacea. If you ask herbal enthusiasts, most will tell you that it stands up to the hype. Echinacea plant uses date back centuries, and their effectiveness holds up today, even when compared to modern medicine. Read on to learn more about echinacea plant uses!

What is Echinacea?

Echinacea is a perennial plant that is native to North America. It’s recognizable by its spiky appearance with large flowers which are either purple or pink depending on the species. The center of the flower has a cone shaped head that holds the seeds – and for this reason – the plant is sometimes referred to as the “coneflower.” Here are nine Echinacea plant uses that may help support optimal health. Try Echinacea for yourself today and see if it makes a difference for you!

9 Echinacea Plant Uses 

1. Supports Healthy Immune Function – This is probably the best known of the Echinacea plant uses and is the catalyst for many of the others we’ll discuss in this blog post. Studies show that taking an Echinacea supplement at the first sign of illness may promote healthy white blood cells the body makes to fight microbial activity. The recommended capsule dose for immunity support is 1200 mg, three times a day, but not for more than 10 days.
2. Supports Upper Respiratory Health – Echinacea seems particularly useful for helping the body maintain upper respiratory health. Studies show drinking Echinacea tea three times a day may protect the body against the symptoms associated with upper respiratory discomfort. Try one of our favorites, TLC Throat and Lung Care Tea by Now Foods and let us know what you think!
3. Provides Seasonal Health Support – Echinacea can be particularly helpful at discouraging the body’s inflammatory response during seasonal changes. For this use, try a blend of Echinacea and vitamin C.
4. Supports Healthy Candida Balance – A healthy immune system is key when fighting yeast (candida) overgrowth in the body, particularly in the vaginal canal. Because Echinacea provides immune support, the body is able to generate enough white blood cells to fight the overgrowth and keep candida levels manageable. For optimal support, try a blend like Candida X2 from Professional Botanicals.
5. Promotes Urinary Tract Health – Similar to yeast overgrowth, Echinacea supplements may promote natural healing, bladder and urinary tract health support.
6. May Provide Support for Wound Healing – Topical Echinacea creams and ointments may assist healing while by providing immunity support directly to the affected areas. Echinacea plant uses were popular among many Native American tribes for this purpose; in fact the coneflower has been documented among some herbalists as the go-to treatment for rattlesnake bites and other flesh wounds or irritations.
7. Supports Healthy Ear Function – Number seven of the Echinacea plant uses may surprise you. Many who have sensitive hearing or irritations of the ear canal may find temporary relief with Echinacea drops. Liquid supplements like Wally’s Organic Ear Oil from Wally’s Naturals combine anti-inflammatory properties with soothing natural herbs like tea tree oil for healthy ear function. Fun fact – this tonic can also be used on your pets! (Just follow instructions carefully.)
8. May Discourage Chronic Foot Fungus – Many herbalists believe that Echinacea not only provides natural immune system support but may also offer natural antifungal properties. There is some research that suggests that Echinacea may help shorten outbreaks of foot fungus and deter its reappearance, but further research is needed to confirm this claim.
9. May Provide Temporary Relief from Minor Pain – Echinacea cream may also help stimulate blood circulation and may help bring minor pain relief to sore joints, muscles and bruises. Try Topricin Pain Relief Cream from Topical Biomedics. It may make a difference to your health!

More research is needed to prove the effectiveness of these Echinacea plant uses, but early research does seem to offer positive results. Try it for yourself and let us know what you think!

What are your favorite Echinacea plant uses? Tell us in the comments below!