The Echinacea Advantage

As cold and flu season returns, so does our exposure to viruses that can quickly disrupt our routines. While healthy habits like quality sleep, regular handwashing, and good nutrition remain essential, it’s also worthwhile to have trusted natural remedies on hand to support your body’s defences when illness strikes.

One of the most popular herbs for seasonal immune support is echinacea, often known as “purple coneflower.” For generations, it has been used to help lessen the severity and duration of common cold and flu symptoms. But what many people don’t realize is that not all echinacea products are created equal.

A Long History of Traditional Use

Echinacea is native to North America and has a rich history of use among Indigenous peoples, who traditionally relied on it to soothe throat infections, coughs, wounds, and pain.

Historically, the species most often used medicinally was Echinacea angustifolia. Native to central North America, it was highly valued not only by Indigenous communities but later by practitioners of the Eclectic medical movement, a respected 19th-century botanical medicine system. In fact, E. angustifolia became one of the most widely used remedies among Eclectic physicians.

However, when echinacea gained popularity in Europe in the early 1900s, it was Echinacea purpurea that was introduced and cultivated commercially. As a result, E. purpurea became the focus of scientific research and remains the primary species found in most echinacea products today.

This presents an interesting contradiction: the echinacea species with the strongest history of traditional use, E. angustifolia, wasn’t the species extensively researched or manufactured.

The Advantage of Combining Two Species

While Echinacea purpurea offers key therapeutic benefits and is notably effective for viral infections, its alkylamides, key compounds that impact the immune system, have a limited period of activity in the body, meaning they are not available or effective for substantial periods.

Research suggests that when E. purpurea is paired with E. angustifolia, the alkylamides from Echinacea purpurea are most bioavailable when in the presence of those from Echinacea angustifolia.

In simple terms, E. angustifolia helps enhance and extend the therapeutic effects of E. purpurea, creating a more complete and effective echinacea formulation than either species may offer on its own.

Introducing EchinaSeal^®

This powerful combination of echinacea is the foundation of St. Francis Herb Farm’s EchinaSeal^®, a dual-species blend that brings together the benefits of both Echinacea angustifolia and Echinacea purpurea. EchinaSeal^® provides targeted support at the first sign of cold or flu symptoms. Alongside echinacea, it contains ingredients such as goldenseal, known for its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, and propolis, which can help soothe sore throats. Together, these ingredients create a comprehensive formula designed to help support recovery and reduce the impact of seasonal illness.

For children, Echinacea Plus Kids and Echinacea Plus Kids with Elderberry offer the same dual-species approach in mild-tasting formulas suitable for children aged two and up. These products are designed to help lessen the severity and duration of common seasonal illnesses.

Be Prepared This Cold & Flu Season

Cold and flu season may be unavoidable, but being prepared can make all the difference. Choosing an echinacea formula that combines both Echinacea angustifolia and Echinacea purpurea allows you to benefit from traditional herbal wisdom and modern scientific research.

At the first sign of a cold or flu, having EchinaSeal^® and Echinacea Plus Kids on hand can help support your family’s natural defences, ease uncomfortable symptoms, and help you get back to feeling your best sooner. When it comes to echinacea, the right combination truly matters.

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