Echinacea Gardening in Spain

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As well as providinga spectacular, colourful display in the garden, Echinacea possesses medicinal properties. Normally a plant is better known by its common name but, in the case of this daisy-like perennial, its botanic name is very well known thanks to its medicinal value. Every time you catch a cold some well-meaning person will tell you to "take some echinacea".

Echinacea has been used as a healing herb for many centuries. It was the main medicinal herb used by Native Americans for more purposes than any other plant. The major use of echinacea nowadays is to treat colds and flu. It is also used for urinary tract infections, skin wounds that are not healing well, and skin conditions such as psoriasis and eczema. It works by activating the body's immune system, increasing the chances of fighting off any disease.

The word "echinacea" comes from the Greek word "echinos" meaning "hedgehog", referring to the flower's spiky central cone.

In the garden:

Echinacea is a genus of flowering plants of the aster family growing mainly in Europe and the United States. For gardeners, echinacea or purple coneflower is an easygoing, long-flowering perennial blooming from early to late summer.

This pretty plant has in recent years received a makeover from plant breeders. Now new varieties are available in all sorts of shapes, sizes and colours due to hybridisation between E. purpurea and other species including E. Paradoxa. There are now echinacea flowers ranging from crimson to white, as well as yellows, golds and pinks.

What has not had a makeover is this perennial's no-fuss, waterwise approach to life. Echinacea is a top plant for our climate. Once established, it relishes hot weather, does not seem worried by pests or diseases and flowers for months. What more could you want?

Echinacea purpurea also attracts butterflies, bees and other insects to the garden and its flowers are good for cutting.

In the ornamental garden, echinacea teams well with other brightly coloured perennials such as salvia, daylilies, etc. or along with ornamental grasses. It also works well planted in large drifts in a low-maintenance gravel garden, and is included in some meadow flower mixes. If you are keen to grow echinacea for its medicinal value, you can also plant it in the herb or vegetable garden.

In the wild, echinacea often grows stems more than 1m high, but some cultivars are under 60cm tall. If properly cared for, they will form attractive colonies and will live for many years. Coneflowers like it sunny and hot. Though they will tolerate light shade, fewer flowers will be produced and the plants will be weakened. Light, loamy soils are best, but coneflowers will grow in any well-drained soil. Once established, they are quite drought tolerant. The Echinacea plant reseeds in the fall. New flowers will grow where seeds have fallen the prior year.

Health benefits:
The main species of echinacea that are used therapeutically are Echinacea purpurea, E. angustifolia and E. pallida. The chemical constituents of medicinal preparations vary with the different species, growing conditions, parts of the plant used and how it is processed. With so many variables, it is not surprising that studies into its use show mixed results.

Overall though, research suggests that taking echinacea may reduce the duration of colds, especially if you start it as symptoms appear. Products based on the juice of E. purpurea appear particularly effective, so if you feel a sore throat or sniffle coming on, finely chop a few echinacea leaves, then squeeze the pulp through a strainer to yield about half a teaspoon of juice. Adults can take this dose three times per day, making a fresh batch each time. However, it should not be used for more than 10 days.

Echinacea is also available over the counter as a tincture or in capsules containing a powder of the dried plant or root.

There are no known side effects from internal or external use of Echinacea, so give it a try next time you feel a cold coming on…

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