This is a genus of herbaceous flowering plants in the daisy family. The nine species it contains are perennials native to the prairies and eastern United States, and are easily recognizable by their pink/purple daisy-like flowers with orange/brown centres. E. purpurea, E. angustifolia, E. pallida are species used medicinally and in cosmetics. Echinacea has been approved by the German Commission E for the treatment of colds and chronic infections of the respiratory tract and lower urinary tract. It has been used as therapy in chronic candidiasis. Externally, it has been approved for treatment of poorly healing wounds and chronic ulcerations. Echinacea increases resistance to infection and is used as a stimulant to the immune system. It is also used for the treatment of eczema, burns, psoriasis and herpes. As an immunostimulant, echinacea is used in the treatment of chronic respiratory infections, prostatitis and polyarthritis (rheumatoid arthritis) and inflammatory skin conditions.

Cosmetic use

Different plant parts such as leaves and root, in the form of extracts, expressed juice etc. are used in skin care because of its antioxidant activity. Classed as a moisturizing, tonic and skin conditioning agent it is used in skin care cosmetics for its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activity.

The chemical compositions of different species of echinacea vary. All species have phenols such as cichoric acid and caftaric acid in E. purpurea, echinacoside in greater levels in E. angustifolia and E. pallida roots than in other species. When making herbal remedies, these phenols serve as markers for the quantity of raw echinacea in the product. Other chemical constituents that may be important in echinacea health effects include alkylamides and polysaccharides.