Echinacea
Echinacea, commonly known as purple coneflower, is a powerhouse of herbal medicine. Renowned for its immune-boosting properties, this resilient perennial is widely used to reduce the duration and severity of colds and infections. Its bioactive compounds offer natural support, making it a staple in wellness and holistic healing.
- Scientific name: Echinacea
- Family: Asteraceae
- Native range: Europe
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It is classified under the subclass Magnoliidae in the order Asterales and is a member of the Asteraceae family. Ultimately, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Echinacea.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Asterales | WCVP |
| Family | Asteraceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Echinacea | WCVP |
Distribution
This plant is found across several distinct regions of the European continent. In Middle Europe, its presence is documented in Austria, Germany, and Poland. Moving toward the west, the species can also be located in Southwestern Europe within France. Additionally, its range extends into the Baltic States located in Eastern Europe. This diverse distribution demonstrates the plant's ability to thrive in various European environments.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Middle Europe | Austria | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Germany | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Poland | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | France | WCVP |
| Eastern Europe | Baltic States | WCVP |
| Eastern Europe | Krym | WCVP |
| Eastern Europe | Ukraine | WCVP |
| Central Asia | Kazakhstan | WCVP |
| Central Asia | Turkmenistan | WCVP |
| Central Asia | Tadzhikistan | WCVP |
Chemicals
Echinacea has 11 reported phytochemicals identified across 13 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Echinacoside, Cichoric acid, betaine, caffeic acid, caftaric acid.
- Total chemicals
- 11
- Scientific sources
- 13
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Echinacoside | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Cichoric acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| betaine | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| caffeic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| caftaric acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| chlorogenic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cichoric acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| dodeca-2E,4E,8Z,10Z-tetraenoic acid isobutylamide | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| dodeca-2E,4E-dienoic acid isobutylamide | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| echinacoside | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Echinacea has 11 reported activities identified across 16 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antiviral, Immunomodulator, Immunostimulant, Analgesic, Antiaging.
- Total activities
- 11
- Scientific sources
- 16
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antiviral | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Immunomodulator | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Immunostimulant | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Analgesic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiaging | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antibacterial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anticancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antifungal | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiinflammatory | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Echinacea has 19 reported medicinal uses identified across 23 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include common cold, upper respiratory infections, upper respiratory tract infections, AIDS, Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
- Total uses
- 19
- Scientific sources
- 23
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| common cold | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| upper respiratory infections | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| upper respiratory tract infections | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| AIDS | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Saccharomyces cerevisiae | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| bacterial infections | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| breast cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| bronchitis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cold- | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |