Scientific name: Echinacea
Higher classification: Heliantheae
Rank: Genus
Family: Asteraceae
Genus: Echinacea
Species: E. purpurea
Common Name: purple coneflower
Used part: extracts from roots, flowers, and leave
What is Echinacea?
Echinacea is the name of a group of flowering plants in the daisy family.
They’re native to North America where they grow in prairies and open, wooded areas.
Altogether, this group has nine species, but only three are used in herbal supplements — Echinacea purpurea, Echinacea angustifolia and Echinacea pallida
E. purpurea is a perennial with lavender to pink drooping rays and a brownish central disk containing many spiny seeds. The reasoning behind the genus name Echinacea comes from the Greek word echinos meaning hedgehog in reference to the bristly seed tops. The plant is composed of smooth stems 2 to 5 feet tall and flowers are found on a single stem. The flowers bloom from April to September. The green leaves are lancolate and ovate, rough texture, with dentate or serrated margins
What does Echinacea taste like?
Pure Echinacea tea has a very strong flavor which increases the longer the tea is left to steep. It has a decidedly floral taste and aroma and can leave your lips and mouth with a tingling sensation.
The taste of echinacea tea can be somewhat strong. Some describe the flavor as being earthy or floral, and its medicinal compounds often have a tongue-tingling effect.5 In fact, some herbal product makers regard this latter quality as evidence of the herb's effectiveness.
Echinacea is commonly combined with mint or other ingredients, such as lemongrass, to make a more pleasant-tasting tea. If you don't like the taste of echinacea tea, you might choose to consume echinacea in tablet or tincture form instead.
What are the culinary uses for Echinacea?
Sprinkle petals in salads and put in summer drinks.
Echinacea leaves, flowers, and roots can be used to make tea and tincture. This herbal tea has a very strong floral flavor that’s somewhat bitter. It’s a flavor that takes a while to get used to. The roots are believed to have the highest concentration of active ingredients and thus, have the most benefits. However, echinacea root tisane tastes even stronger than those made of the leaves and flowers.
You can make echinacea tea more palatable by adding some sweetness. Raw honey, agave, stevia, and milk can improve the taste greatly. You can also pair it with other herbs, tea, or even fruit to mask the strong flavor and even enhance its effects. Elderberry, lemongrass, lemon balm, peppermint, and citrus fruits complement this herb nicely.
What are the Health benefits of Echinacea?
Healing Benefits of Echinacea Tea
Echinacea tea’s main healing benefits come from the following properties:
Anti-viral
Anti-inflammatory
Anti-fungal
Echinacea’s anti-viral properties are what make it effective in treating and preventing the common cold and flu. Echinacea is also sometimes used to treat vaginal yeast infections, and its overall anti-inflammatory effect on the body promotes balance in the mind, body, and spirit.