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While its chemical effects aren't completely understood, Echinacea has been widely regarded as a general immune system enhancer for hundreds of years. According to Yahoo! Health, Echinacea spurs the creation of white blood cells, T-helper cells, and other disease-fighting agents. Echinacea was used by Native American tribes as a tonic and antiseptic and proved effective in treating snakebites and infections. Otherwise known as Coneflower or Sampson Root, Echinacea came to widespread prominence in the late 1800s when it was marketed in a popular elixir called "Meyer's Blood Purifier." It's now a multi-billion
dollar pharmaceutical industry. A look at several sites in the Echinacea category of the Yahoo! Directory revealed other interesting facts about this wonder plant. It's native to North America. It's a wildflower that's widespread in the Midwest plain states. There are three types: purpurea, pallida, and angustifolia. The latter form is reportedly not as potent as the other two. Finally, for a lengthy medical exegesis on the chemical properties of Echninacea, we refer you to this article from Health World Online. The piece suggests that Echinacea is more effective in finite doses over a few
weeks at a time, rather than as a daily supplement.
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