Echinacea in Herbal Medicine: Properties of Echinacea

given by the roots obtained from all three main species (Echinacea angustifolia, Echinacea pallida and Echinacea purpurea).

Dell "E. purpureahowever, the whole plant can also be used.

contained within the different species of echinacea can vary both qualitatively and quantitatively. In any case, it can be said that the main chemical constituents contained in all three main species of echinacea are:

• Flavonoids;
• Derivatives of caffeic acid (chicoric acid, chlorogenic acid and echinacoside);
• Polysaccharides with immunostimulating activity;
• Polyphenols;
• Glycoproteins with immunostimulating activity;
• Alkylamides;
• Essential oil;
• Polyenes.

and immunostimulants due to glycoproteins, alkylamides, but above all to the group of polysaccharides (arabinogalactans and arabinoxylans). The essential oil is responsible for the antibacterial properties, rich in terpenes, however present in small quantities.

We can therefore say that the main properties of echinacea are to stimulate and strengthen the immune system - especially against colds - bacteriostatic, virustatic and anti-inflammatory.

For external use, echinacea seems to exhibit skin-purifying properties and some argue that it can be useful in "exerting" an anti-wrinkle action.