Coneflower Herbs

Coneflowers, such as the purple coneflower or snakeroot, grow throughout North America. Native Americans used the roots, leaves and seeds to treat a variety of physical ailments. People in 2011 still use coneflower herbs for their healing properties. They know them as Echinacea, however, since coneflowers are a species of that plant.

Traditional Uses

• The native inhabitants of Central America's grassy plains used coneflower herbs for centuries to heal and treat a wide range of illnesses. In the 16th century, Europeans brought the plant across the Atlantic Ocean and cultivated it. People used coneflowers to treat insect bites, bee stings and snake bites. They would also apply it in the case of infections such as syphilis, typhoid and malaria. If a tribe member suffered from boils, abscesses, migraines, eczema or dizziness, he or she was given coneflower herbs in some form. They were also used to treat rheumatism, dyspepsia and hemorrhoids, as well as boost the immune system and soothe abdominal pain.

Current Uses

• According to the Mayo Clinic, "Echinacea is one of the best-selling herbal products in the U.S." The herb is reported to stimulate the production of white blood cells, so many people still use coneflower herbs to strengthen their immune system as a preemptive strike against illness. This boost is believed to help the body fight venereal disease and HIV. Some people take it to purify the blood, since coneflower is thought to purge toxins from the body. People also frequently ingest the herb to treat the common cold and flu in its early stages. The Mayo Clinic warns, however, that echinacea possesses no proven medical benefit.

Forms

• You can purchase coneflower herbs in different forms. Most commonly you will see it labeled as Echinacea. Many grocery stores, health food stores and online retailers sell coneflower capsules you swallow. Health food and online stores also provide coneflower extracts you can add to water. Echinacea is often added to tea as well. If you want to use this herbal remedy traditionally, purchase coneflower ointment from online retailers for topical use on insect bites, boils or herpes.

Side Effects

• Even though coneflower is an herb --- not a drug --- you may still experience side effects when taking it. People most often report an upset stomach, while others experience allergic reactions that may consist of a rash, worsening of asthma or anaphylaxis. Also known as anaphylactic shock, this reaction can lead to difficulty breathing, which can prove life threatening. If you're already allergic to daisies, ragweed or marigolds, you may also be allergic to coneflower.