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A native of North America, Echinacea has
been used for a variety of uses since the dawn of our country.
Found mostly in the prairies, mid-western states, and as far
South as Texas, it was a necessity for families on the western
frontier.
The use of Echinacea started out strong,
but in 1910, the American Medical Association dismissed it
as a useless herb and by the 1930’s it was hardly ever
used in the United States. However, Europeans began growing
this herb and to this day, Germany has produced the most information
on its value. In the 1980’s, Echinacea made a comeback
in the US and is once again one of the most used herbal extracts.
Echinacea is a daisy-like wildflower with
a stout and bristly stem. The leaves are “hairy”
and tapered at both ends. The purple “rays” of
Echinacea’s petals are beautiful and this herb is used
in many ornamental gardens. The beauty is matched only by
its medicinal properties.
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