Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea) has a long history of use by many alternative traditions. Its use is believed to have originated with the North American Plains Indians, but in more recent times, echinacea purpurea was noted among the group of organic herbs and spices also used in European traditional medicine.
Echinacea is known as Purple Coneflower by modern-day enthusiasts, but it was also known as Snake Root in Native American cultures. It is believed that this name was given as it was historically one of several herbs used for snake and venomous insect bites.
Like many medicinal herbs, echinacea is believed to have a number of healthful properties, making it particularly useful for a variety of applications. This medicinal herb is native to the east and central sections of North America. Although there are several varieties, on the whole, echinacea is easily distinguished by its large, showy petals surrounding a spiny, cone-shaped center.
