Echinacea Purpurea / Horehound

Echinacea, also known as Purple Coneflower, Coneflower, Black Sampson, and Snakeroot, is native to North America, and is one of the most popular herbs today in both North America and Europe. The name Echinacea is derived from the Greek meaning "hedgehog", referring to the sharp pointed bracts of the receptacles. Echinacea purpurea has been used for hundreds of years. Echinacea was first used in Native American sweat lodges to help the participants endure extreme temperatures. It was a popular medicine in America during the 1920's, but fell into disuse with the introduction of sulfa drugs. With natural antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties, Echinacea purpurea is best know for its ability to kick-start the immune system, stimulating the production of white blood cells. Echinacea purpurea contains iron, iodine, copper, potassium, sulphur, and Vitamins A, E and C. Echinacea also contains polysaccharides, resembling bacteria, which motivate the healthy white blood cells attack bacterial invaders. Echinacea offers the body an overall feeling of well being, and for this reason studies of Echinacea continue today. Contributing to the bodies natural ability to fight infection, Echinacea is commonly referred to as the natural antibiotic and commonly used to fight infection caused by common colds and flu. Echinacea may also be used for reducing inflammation caused by respiratory problems, bronchitis, strep throat and enlarged prostate glands. Echinacea also has fat-soluble flavonoids, luteolin, Quercetin, and Rutin. Also present are the potent free radical scavengers safely derivatives which are said to protect the skin from sun damage. The high molecular weight polysaccharide fractions are surely involved in stimulating the immune response.

Horehound was one of the original bitter herbs of the Jewish Passover tradition. The common name is from the old English "har hune", meaning "downy plant". Horehound was first used by the physician Galen in ancient Rome, who recommended it as a therapy for coughs and other respiratory ailments. Like Galen, Nicholas Culpepper, the 17th-century English pharmacist, commented that it was helpful for a cough, and was also useful in helping remove stubborn phlegm from the lung. Similarly, American Eclectic physicians of the 19th century remarked on its value as a medicinal plant not only for coughs and asthma, but also in menstrual complaints. Horehound was used by Navaho Indians to help a woman through childbirth. Horehound is an anti-spasmodic, a stimulant and a. vermifuge. The primary chemical constituents of Horehound include essential oil, diterpene alcohols, sterols, saponins, bitter lactone, alkaloids, tannin, mucilage, bitter principle, and vitamin C. It has a relaxing effect on heart tissue and is used by some herbalists as a circulatory tonic to help lower blood pressure. It also acts on the hormonal system and will normalize heavy or scanty menstruation. Horehound is valuable in the treatment of bronchitis where there is a non-productive cough. It combines the action of relaxing the smooth muscles of the bronchus while promoting mucus production, and thus expectoration. This herb has been used in the treatment of whooping cough. The bitter action stimulates the flow and secretion of bile from the gall-bladder, thereby aiding digestion. The essential oils in Horehound help dilate the arteries and relieve lung congestion. Horehound increases circulation to the lungs, expels mucus, and cools infection.