Growing and harvest my own echinacea?
Anyone do that?
If I buy a seed packet and it say (Echinacea) under the flower term (Purple coneflower, I think...) is that duplicate echinacea that people filch in tablet form for colds and stuff?
If so, which parts are used? Would I just be capable of dry it and use it in a tea bubble for echinacea tea?
Thanks!
Answer: Purple or white coneflower is Echinacea. I pasted this from a website on it...
Harvesting Echinacea
For medicinal purposes, you'll want to collect some roots and some flower tops. For best quality, dawdle until your plants are 3 years old. Roots are harvest in the stumble when the tops have gone to kernel and the plants have experienced a couple of concrete frosts. Tops are harvested only just as the flowers start to open. Whether harvest tops or roots, the dried herb will be good for one year. Be sure to date the jar containing the herb so you won't use them past their potency date.
Harvesting Roots
1. Using a sharp wound cut off a portion of the root, departing plenty for the plant to grow on.
2. Cut any pieces larger than 1 inch into smaller pieces to avoid mold growth during the drying process.
3. Wash thoroughly and pat dry.
4. Hang the root pieces or lay them out on screens within a well-ventilated nouns away from direct sunlight. If the pieces are large it may appropriate several weeks for them to dry.
5. When completely dry, store in a tightly covered cup jar in cool, brown place.
Harvesting Flower Tops
1. Using a sharp knife, cut the plant at the point where on earth the first healthy leaves are growing.
2. Lay the tops on a eyeshade or hang them upside down surrounded by bundles out of direct sunlight. Make sure they aren't crowded so that air can't circulate around them.
3. When completely dry, the leaves will crumble when touched. Store them contained by glass jar with tight fitting lid in a cool, dry place.
Using Echinacea
Although echinacea is used to argue many different ailments, it is most commonly used to boost the immune system and come to blows infection. To find out more about making tinctures, salve, syrups, antiseptics, sprays, and many other simple remedies, see Growing and Using Echinacea by Kathleen Brown. This little booklet contains a success of information about Echinacea, and costs solely $3.95.
Echinacea teas
There are two ways to brew an herbal tea: Infusion and Decoction. Use the infusion method when preparing a tea from leaves, flowers or seeds. Decoction is the method of choice for roots. For a pleasant cup of tea, most relations prefer an infusion of the flowers. Decoctions are very strong.
the root dry it and trademark tea