With its spiky, reddish-brown head, which looks like a small hedgehog, and bright purple petals, it is a sight that radiates strength. Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea), or purple coneflower, is the warrior among medicinal plants.
It does not shy away. It stands tall and defies wind and weather. It is precisely this unbridled resilience that it passes on to us. It is not a soft pillow, but a wake-up call for our body's own defenses.
The Sacred Knowledge of the Lakota
Long before modern science discovered its active ingredients under the microscope, echinacea was the most important medicinal plant for the North American prairie Indians. Tribes such as the Lakota, Cheyenne, and Dakota reverently called it "elk root" or simply "the medicine." For them, it was a universal protector: they used the pulp of the root to neutralize snake bites and heal wounds. The fact that a plant was strong enough to combat snake venom made it the ultimate symbol of defense.
It was not until the late 19th century that Dr. H.C.F. Meyer brought this knowledge across the ocean to Europe, where it quickly became an established part of monastic medicine and phytotherapy.
The alarm system for the immune system
Today, the effects of echinacea have been researched more thoroughly than almost any other substance. It does not act directly against viruses, but rather trains the body's defenses.
- Activation: Its ingredients (alkamides and polysaccharides) act like a key that unlocks the immune system. They increase the number and activity of white blood cells—the phagocytes that fight off intruders.
- The cold stopper: When your throat is scratchy or your nose is running, echinacea is a game changer. It can help stop infections before they fully break out or noticeably shorten their duration.
- Anti-inflammatory: It is effective both internally and externally. It is traditionally used to relieve skin inflammation and accelerate wound healing.
A global ally
Even though echinacea has its roots far away, we at Fartàritx have taken it to our hearts. It is the perfect complement to our local herbs such as cistus and olive leaf. While our island herbs provide calm and balance, echinacea brings the necessary aggressiveness to keep viruses and bacteria at bay.
In our elixirs, we use it as the "strong partner" that has your back when it's stormy and snowing outside.
