The purple coneflower, Echinacea purpurea, is native to North America. It is recognizable by its inflorescences with a convex center and pink-purple ligulate flowers. The appearance of its center refers to the name associated with a hedgehog. In addition to its herbal history, the plant also has great ornamental value in gardens today.
Genre and part matter
Echinacea purpurea is one of the species of echinacea, and the genus name does not always mean the same material. Roots or aerial parts may be used in various preparations. The juice and extract are also not one form. When comparing, it is important to precisely identify the raw material and the method of preparation. Do not copy the properties of a medicinal product into any supplement just because they both refer to echinacea.
Meaning and application
Various parts of echinacea are used in preparations, including the root and aerial parts. Juice, dried fruit and extract may have different parameters. There are also other species of the Echinacea genus, so the word "echinacea" is not always sufficient to accurately identify the ingredient. The North American tradition of use predates its modern presence in the supplement market. The most important thing when comparing products is the species, part of the plant and preparation method, not the familiar appearance of the flower on the packaging.
In practice
The genus Echinacea includes several species used in a variety of plant materials. Therefore, the familiar appearance of a flower does not replace the botanical name. The part of the plant and the method of processing are also important: the juice from the aerial parts, the dry material and the root extract do not have identical specifications. Similar common names may hide these differences. It is worth reading the parameters for the actual raw material used, instead of transferring all information about any echinacea to one capsule. The history of gardening and herbalism is an interesting background, but does not provide the mass of ingredients or the purpose of a specific finished preparation.