Echinacea root, most often as the species Echinacea angustifolium, has been a popular medicine with American herbalists for more than a century. They use it in the treatment of various infections, fevers, snake and insect bites, and many skin problems, such as acne, boils, abscesses, and ulcers.

Echinacea has become very popular with the American public, mostly for infections and to purify the blood and lymph. For treating skin problems, most natural practitioners feel that blood purification is important. Recent experiments have shown that Echinacea root can increase the white blood count and thus our ability to handle bacteria and viruses, stimulate the important T-lymphocytes' activity, and generally stimulate the lymphatic system to clear wastes. The immune-supporting aspects of this valuable herb makes it effective in the treatment of mild infections, such as vaginitis and prostatitis, poison oak and ivy, acne and boils, and respiratory infections.

Although more research is needed to verify its effectiveness, many people describe a very good response to taking Echinacea root products, either singularly or in combination with other purifying anti-infectious herbs and vitamins. Though Echinacea use appears basically nontoxic, until more research can clarify its safety, I do not advise extended use for more than three or four weeks, due to possible effects such as liver irritation or changes in the normal intestinal flora.