ECHINACEA–

 

Echinacea was gathered on open ground—prairie, dry fields, and disturbed soil—where it returned reliably when left undisturbed. The plant was not taken young. Roots were dug after several seasons, once the stand had established.

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The root was dug in fall, cleaned of soil, and cut while fresh or dried whole before storage. It was kept in pieces rather than powder. Fresh root was chewed or set into spirits; dried root was steeped longer. 

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Echinacea was taken for short periods and then set aside.
Old material lost strength.

 

​Roots were taken selectively, leaving surrounding plants intact. Ground was rested between diggings. Where it was overcut, it did not return.

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It was associated with late summer, dry ground, and root.

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Echinacea was widely used among tribes of the plains, particularly for snakebite, infected wounds, and illness that entered through breach of skin or blood. Fresh root was chewed for its numbing effect and applied directly to bites or infected wounds. 

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Later adopted into Eclectic medicine in the nineteenth century, it became known as a remedy for septic conditions and acute infections.

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