Echinacea

This daisy-like perennial plant provides lots of relief for colds, coughs and inflammations, as a general boost to the immune system. While native to North America, this no-nonsense plant can survive in a variety of climates, and doesn’t need much water to flourish. It was once used by the Native Americans as an application for stings and bites from insects and snakes.

Therapeutic benefits
Taking echinacea is said to reduce the length and severity of the common cold, especially when you start taking it at the first sign of symptoms. The most common medicinal varieties are Echinacea purpurea, E. angustifolia and E. pallida. Make your own echinacea medicine by finely chopping a few leaves and squeezing the pulp through a strainer to get a dose of about half a teaspoon. Adults are recommended to take about three doses per day, starting fresh each time. Please note that this medicine is not suitable for pregnant or breastfeeding women, children under two, those with allergies to the Asteraceae plant family, or those taking immunosuppressive medicines.

How to grow echinacea
The good news about planting echinacea is that it doesn’t require much water at all – perfect for our changing climate. It grows well when planted in drifts in a low maintenance gravel garden, garden bed or field. It will also attract butterflies and bees to your garden.

Source Of Information : Therapeutic Uses of Common Backyard Trees and Plants