Echinacea roots

Family Name: Asteraceae

Popular Name(s): Narrow-leaved purple coneflower, Sampson root, Black Sampson, Red sunflower, Echinacea

Parts Used: Roots 

Habitat: Echinacea is a wildflower native to North America.

Description: The stout, bristly stem bears hairy, linear-lanceolate leaves, tapering at both ends, the lower on long petioles, the upper sessile. The distinctive flower features *2 to *0 large, spreading, dull-purple rays and a conical disk made up of numerous purple and tubular florets.

Uses: Echinacea had been used to treat infections. It enhances the body's immune system. It has been shown effective for treating conditions such as influenza, colds, upper respiratory tract infections, urogenital infections and other infectious conditions.