Guru
July 25th, 2008, 05:19 AM
http://goliath.ecnext.com/coms2/gi_0199-2214521/Echinacea-cultivar-evaluation-in-southwest.html
Echinacea is one of the alternative crops being evaluated for adaptation, yield potential, and quality at Alcorn State University. It belongs to the Asteraceae or daisy family, which has daisy-like flowers aggregated into tight heads and leaves that are either opposite or alternate, simple or compound (Stuart, 1982). Although there are up to nine Echinacea species, all native to North American prairies, the three main species used for medicinal purposes are E. angustifolia, E. pallida, and E. purpurea (Still, 1994). These species can be grown in USDA hardiness zones 3-10 which extend from upper Midwest to Florida (Adam, 2000), especially when annual precipitation is from 30 cm to 81 cm per year. Echinacea species is considered the most effective detoxicant in Western medicine for the circulatory, lymphatic, and respiratory systems. It is a bitter, slightly aromatic, alternative herb that stimulates the immune system, promotes healing and has antiviral and antibacterial effects. It is used internally for skin diseases, fungal infections, boils, abscesses, slowhealing wounds, upper respiratory tract infections, and venereal diseases (Bauer and Wagner, 1991; Brown, 1995; and Chevallier, 1996). In...
Echinacea is one of the alternative crops being evaluated for adaptation, yield potential, and quality at Alcorn State University. It belongs to the Asteraceae or daisy family, which has daisy-like flowers aggregated into tight heads and leaves that are either opposite or alternate, simple or compound (Stuart, 1982). Although there are up to nine Echinacea species, all native to North American prairies, the three main species used for medicinal purposes are E. angustifolia, E. pallida, and E. purpurea (Still, 1994). These species can be grown in USDA hardiness zones 3-10 which extend from upper Midwest to Florida (Adam, 2000), especially when annual precipitation is from 30 cm to 81 cm per year. Echinacea species is considered the most effective detoxicant in Western medicine for the circulatory, lymphatic, and respiratory systems. It is a bitter, slightly aromatic, alternative herb that stimulates the immune system, promotes healing and has antiviral and antibacterial effects. It is used internally for skin diseases, fungal infections, boils, abscesses, slowhealing wounds, upper respiratory tract infections, and venereal diseases (Bauer and Wagner, 1991; Brown, 1995; and Chevallier, 1996). In...