PDR for Herbal Medicines

HERBAL MONOGRAPHS ECHINACEA / 261

Swietek L, Dombrowicz E, (1984) Farm Pol 40(12):729.

Ulubelen A et al., (1971) Lloydia 34(2):258.

Further information in:

Chan, EH et al. (Eds), Advances in Chinese Medicinal

J^, Materials Research, World Scientific Pub. Co. Singapore 1985.

Kern W, List PH, Horhammer L (Hrsg.), Hagers Handbuch der

Pharmazeutischen Praxis, 4. Aufl., Bde. 1-8, Springer Verlag

Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, 1969.

Leung AY, Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used

in Food Drugs and Cosmetics, John Wiley & Sons Inc., New

York 1980.

Lewin L, Gifte und Vergiftungen, 6. Aufl., Nachdruck, Haug

Verlag, Heidelberg 1992.

Madaus G, Lehrbuch der Biologischen Arzneimittel, Bde 1-3,

Nachdruck, Georg Olms Verlag Hildesheim 1979.

Roth L, Daunderer M, Kormann K, Giftpflanzen, Pflanzengifte,

4. Aufl., Ecomed Fachverlag Landsberg Lech 1993.
   Teuscher E, Lindequist U, Biogene Gifte - Biologie, Chemie,
   Pharmakologie, 2. Aufl., Fischer Verlag Stuttgart 1994.
   Wichtl M (Hrsg.), Teedrogen, 4. Aufl., Wiss. Verlagsges.
   Stuttgart 1997.

Echinacea

Echinaceae species

TRADE NAMES

Echinacea (available from numerous manafacturers), Echina-

cea Root, Echinacea Standardized, Echinacea Root Herbal,

Echinacea angustifolia Herb, Echinacea purpurea Root

DESCRIPTION

Medicinal Parts: The medicinal parts are, depending on

varieties, the roots, leaves or the whole plant in various

stages of development.

Flower and Fruit: The flower-heads are large and solitary on
terminal peduncles with spreading ray florets. The bracts are
in a number of rows. The bracts are leafy, rigid, thorny
tipped, and longer than the conical erect disc florets. The
reddish or occasionally white florets are conspicuous. The
M Hgual florets are usually sterile and 3 cm long. The pappus is
small or absent.

Leaves, Stem and Root: Echinacea is usually a perennial herb

and grows up to 45 cm. in height. The leaves are large,

solitary, opposite or alternate and are smooth-margined.

They are 7 to 20 cm long and have a rough surface. The

leaves are entire-margined and are on slender petioles. A

transverse section of the rhizome shows a thin bark and a

yellowish, porous wood, which is flecked with black.

Characteristics: The taste is slightly sweet then bitter

leaving a tingling sensation on the tongue. The odor is faintly

aromatic.

Habitat: Echinacea purpurea and Echinaceae pallida grow in

the middle or eastern U.S. and is cultivated in Europe.

Production: Echinacea purpurea herb consists of the fresh,

above-ground parts, harvested at flowering time. The root

consists of the fresh or dried underground part, gathered in

autumn. Echinacea pallida herb consists of the fresh or dried

above-ground parts, collected at the time of flowering.

Echinacea angustifolia herb and root consist of the fresh or

dried roots, or above-ground parts collected at the time of

flowering.

Not to be Confused With: The herbs and roots of Echinacea

purpurea, Echinacea angustifolia and Echinacea pallida have

different medicinal properties. Some Echinacea species may

be confused with or adulterated with Parthenium

integrifoium.

Other Names: Black Sampson, Niggerhead, Rudbeckia,

Sampson Root, Purple Coneflower, Hedgehog, Red

Sunflower

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS: ECHINACEA PURPUREA HERB

Water-soluble immunostimulating polysaccharides (4-O-me-

thylglucuronylarabinoxylans, acidic arabinorhamno-galac-

tans)

Volatile oil (under 0.08-0.32%): components including

germacrene alcohol, borneol, bornylacetate, pentadeca-8-en-

2-on, germacrene D, caryophyllene, caryophyllene epoxide

Flavonoids: ferulic acid derivatives including cichoriic acid,

cichoriic acid methyl ester, 2-0- caffeoyl-3-O-feruloyl-tar-

taric acid, 2,3-O-diferuloyl tartaric acid 2-O-caffeoyl tartaric

acid

Alkamides: including undeca-2E,4Z-dien-8,10-diin acid- and

dodeca-2E,4E-8Z,10E/Z- tetraen acid isobutylamide

Polyenes: trideca-l,ll-dien-3,5,7,9,-tetraine, trideca-1-en-

3,5,7,9,11-pentaine, trideca-8,10,12-trien-2,4,6-triine, pon-

tica epoxide

COMPOUNDS: ECHINACEA PURPUREA ROOT

Water-soluble immunostimulating polysaccharides

Water-soluble immunostimulating glycoproteins

Volatile oil (0.2%): components including caryophyllene,

humules, caryophyllene epoxide, dodeca-2,4-dien-l-yl-iso-

valerate, germacrene D, palmitic acid, linolenic acid