Seasonality and echinacea

Known throughout the world for its health benefits, Echinacea purpurea has been used as a medicinal plant for centuries. This species is native to the Rocky Mountains in the north of the United States and has been used by native Americans against snake bites, where its name “snake grass” comes from. It became popular in Europe and the United States as folk medicine in the beginning of the 20th century.^[1]

Echinacea is used in infusions and food supplements and is now grown in France. Natural Origins invites you to discover the health benefits of this raw material and its French supply chain…

Echinacea purpurea, an exceptional plant

The health benefits of echinacea

Based on its traditional use, purple echinacea is known for healing various infections and wounds.^[3^] Echinacea based preparations are largely used today to prevent colds ^[6][4]. More recently, Echinacea has been allocated the capacity of reinforcing immune system defense mechanisms and helping prevent respiratory infections^[4]. Chicoric acid is one of the major active components of Echinacea purpurea^[5] and its health benefits are linked to the synergy of several substances. The results of recent studies show that echinacea is a wide spectrum immunodulator which reacts on innate and adaptive immunity responses due to the presence of alkylamides and polysaccharides in its roots.^[2]

What could be more convincing than speaking of this plant with our producer?

Our partner, keen, dynamic and enthusiastic about his work, reveals this plant which he is particularly fond of and which he has perfect command:

We are in the hills in the Drome area in 1998 when the story begins, and our producer starts up the production of aromatic and medicinal plants. Echinacea didn’t exist yet in this region when he started to grow it. He discovered an extraordinary plant and he wants to talk to us about the benefits of echinacea, its traditional use and the benefits for the immune system:

« In addition to its medicinal benefits, snake grass also embellishes the countryside with its lovely pink and purple flowers. As a target for insect pollinators, this plant plays an important role in helping to maintain biodiversity. It would appear to be unaffected by pests: insects, disease and fungus. Native to the rocky soils of the Rockies, it becomes as hard and resistant as the soils it grows in. Echinacea has adapted perfectly to the Drome region and its hillsides with its stony soil created by the erosion of glaciers. »

Our echinacea references

Through his work and his sound knowledge of this plant and his mastery of his land, our producer proposes outstanding organic raw materials which we gladly transform into botanical ingredients. Nothing is wasted because the entire plant is used: roots and aerial parts of the plant every other year in November to give the plat time to regenerate.

We propose numerous powder and extract references which you can consult directly on our online catalogue.

Based on its health benefits, echinacea is particularly interesting for the formulation of your “health” infusions. It offers a slightly spicy and bitter flavour to boost your infusion. It can be blended perfectly with other fruity flavoured plants such as citrus fruit (in peel or essential oil format) or red berries, raspberry, blackcurrant or elderberry.

For customised advice on the formulation of your creations, please feel free to contact our Botanical Studio®.