Production of purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea Moench) in mixture with native grasses and forbs on agriculture landscapes has potential to supply ecosystem services such as pollinator habitat, carbon sequestration, and soil stabilization. Ecological uses could be promoted by revenue streams from phytochemicals, seed, and biomass. Purple coneflower is a native perennial plant widely distributed in prairies throughout the Midwest. It is also grown as an ornamental plant in gardens.
Medicinal use
Purple coneflower was used as a medicinal plant by Native Americans and knowledge of its benefits was passed on to colonists. It was used to treat snakebites, wounds, toothaches, and respiratory illnesses. A product containing purple coneflower, Meyers Blood Purifier, was marketed in the late 1800’s as treatment for malaria, diphtheria, and other serious illnesses (Sumner, 2004).
Today, the leaves, flowers, and roots of purple coneflower, are used in dietary health supplements reported to act as an anti-inflammatory, to stimulate the immune system, and to treat respiratory illnesses, although results from clinical trials have been inconsistent (Freund Saxhaug, 2023). Purple coneflower health benefits may be related to the presence of a diverse set of bioactive phytochemicals including polysaccharides, phenyl propanoids (like cichoric acid, caffeic acid, and echianacoside) and fatty acid amides (alkamides) (Manayi, et al., 2015).
Source: umn.edu
Photo Credit: gettyimages-eugenesergeev
Categories: Minnesota, Crops