Functional effects of Echinacea Purpurea L.

Effects of Echinacea Purpurea L.

Native to North America, particularly echinacea purpurea (L) moench which is easier to grow, is now cultivated in the US, Europe and China for the production of immune-stimulators based on different types of raw material (dried and fresh herb, rhizomes, and roots).

Grown from seed in spring or by root division in winter, it thrives best in rich, sandy soil. The flowers are gathered in full bloom, and the roots of 4-year-old plants are lifted in autumn.

Their Key Constituents:

 Alkamides

 Caffeic acid ester (mainly caftaric acid, chlorogenic acid, echinacoside, cynarin and cichoric acid)

 Polysaccharides

 Volatile oil

The significant compounds in E. purpurea with major plant pharmacological properties are cichoric acid and echinacoside.

Cichoric acid has antiviral activity and delivers inhibition of HIV-1 intergrase and replication. Considering the common levels of cichoric acid (2%-5%) in aerial parts of echinacea purpurea, these materials World-Way cultivated has shown a high concentration (4.5%-7%) of cichoric acid. Echinacoside has shown immunostimulatory and high antioxidant activities.  

Echinacea’s effect is not yet fully understood, but it is known that a number of constituents stimulate the immune system to counter both bacterial and viral infections. The hyaluronidase action, inhibiting the ability of viruses to enter and take over cells, while the aklomides are antibacterial and antifungal. Echinacea is also antibiotic and helps to clear skin infections.