Most of us have used or heard of echinacea during our wellness journeys, either as a tea or a tincture. Or, maybe you’ve just noticed this enchanting garden decoration as you take a neighborhood stroll. This attractive coneflower is native to our area and immensely beneficial to our wellbeing. Beyond the benefit of its beauty in our natural landscapes, echinacea is an excellent pollinator ally, and all parts of it are medicinally beneficial. Indigenous Americans were the first to use echinacea for its medicinal benefits centuries ago. In modern times, conventional medical circles held it in high regard and used it prolifically before the introduction of antibiotics in the 1950s. Whether it’s for health reasons or used to enhance your garden’s appearance, echinacea is a powerful plant ally to have on hand. There are several types of echinacea, but typically, when discussing its medicinal benefits, we’re talking about Echinacea purpurea.

Common name: Echinacea 

Latin name: Echinacea purpurea

Part Used: Flowers, leaves, roots

Benefits: Anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, stimulates immune function, wound-healing, gut-protective, most known for its benefits in fighting off colds and flu

Taste: The root is slightly sweet, pungent, and aromatic; tingles on the tongue

Energetics: Cooling, drying, stimulating

History:

Archaeological records suggest that Indigenous peoples have used echinacea in North America for over 400 years. Traditionally used as a cure-all in addition to wound care, echinacea grew in popularity in the 18th and 19th centuries to help combat growing numbers of illnesses, such as scarlet fever, syphilis, malaria, blood poisoning, and diphtheria. It first gained popularity on the market as Meyers Blood Purifier, where it was known to combat rheumatism and rattlesnake bites.1 Today, practitioners continue to use it as one of the most popular plant medicines in the natural medicine world, and interestingly, many in Germany use it even in conventional medicine

Medicinal Benefits:

Today, echinacea is used to stimulate the immune system and heal wounds. Typically, herbalists suggest taking echinacea in some form, such as a tincture or tea, at the onset of cold symptoms like swollen glands, mental fogginess, and low-grade fevers. It also has the ability to help protect and heal the gut lining from harmful micro-organisms, and it may even help reduce inflammatory allergic reactions due to mild food allergies.2 Echinacea also contains a constituent known as cichoric acid; this compound has been shown to stimulate a process called “phagocytosis.” This is just a fancy term for a process where specific cells in the body begin to essentially eat and neutralize invading bacteria.3  This ability to neutralize harmful intruders in the body is why echinacea is typically the go-to choice for herbal medicine at the onset of illness symptoms.

Emotional Component:

Echinacea has long been an herb of strength and self-identity. Due to the pace of our modern age, we can sometimes lose touch with ourselves and our greater purpose. Thus, practitioners often use echinacea in flower essences to help individuals reconnect with themselves and solidify their sense of identity. It’s also used to help break free of and release outdated personal stories, emotions, and toxic attachments that are prohibiting positive growth and self-realization.

Have you read about our other Herbs of the Month? If not, click below to read about:

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Now that we’re walking gently into September, the sun’s shadows are starting to get a bit sharper. The mornings stay dark a little longer, and the sounds of the annual autumn migrations hang in the air. This revolution into autumn brings more than just a golden light to the air. It also brings a burst of goldenrod flowers to our natural landscapes. These flowers line the edges of our highways, sneak into our gardens, and joyfully dot the landscapes in front of us just about everywhere we go. There’s a quiet truth that our bones know. The earth gives us just what we need, just when we need it. Not only are these golden flowers beautiful heralds of autumn, but they’re also little packets of natural medicine right when we need it most. As pollen counts increase, goldenrod is there to help alleviate our allergy symptoms and so many more symptoms of the seasonal transition. Goldenrod is definitely a healing herb of the autumn!

Common name: Goldenrod 

Latin name: Solidago canadensis

Part Used: Flowers and leaves

Benefits: Diuretic, clears excess mucous, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, clears excess gas, wound-heal, and helps induce sweating to aid in detoxification

Taste/Energetics: Warming, drying, astringent, slightly bitter

History: Goldenrod has a long history of being used by Indigenous populations as a wound healer. Its name, “solidago,” is actually from the Latin word for “to make whole.” The Omaha indigenous people used goldenrod as a sign in their floral calendar. While they were away on their summer buffalo hunt, they would use the local flora to give them signs and signals. As soon as goldenrod began to pop up, they knew their corn was ripening back home, and it was time to return. During Elizabethan times, goldenrod was already well known beyond its capabilities as a healing herb of autumn. As a native plant to North America, goldenrod’s powdered leaves and flowers were exported to London for quite a heavy price. In colonial America, colonists would drink goldenrod tea, or “Liberty Tea,” as they began to call it, after the Boston Tea Party. It was so popular that they even began to export it to China. 

Benefits: Goldenrod has been traditionally used by different Indigenous groups for a number of ailments. Topically, it’s been an important healer of sores, infections, aches, burns, and other wounds. Internally, it’s been used as a diuretic, meaning it helps move toxins through our body systems to be expelled through urination. As such, it’s beneficial for many urinary issues, as well as respiratory and digestive issues. Modern uses of goldenrod really focus on its powerful decongestant abilities. It’s often a go-to for clearing sinus complications, allergies, and flu symptoms. Infusing goldenrod with sage (making a strong tea) is an effective gargle for sore throats and laryngitis (1).

Goldenrod is also a useful digestive agent. Due to its high tannin count and anti-inflammatory properties, it can help alleviate diarrhea symptoms. Tannins are drying and astringent, two modalities that are helpful with diarrhea, gas, bloating, and indigestion. Using goldenrod as a tea can also help stimulate and ease digestion. 

Herbs are helpful not only for the physical body but also for the emotional and spiritual body. Emotionally, goldenrod inspires a sense of self-trust and confidence, especially for those having trouble finding a strong sense of self and identity. Our identities and values often mirror our surroundings. For this, Goldenrod boosts inner knowing and helps solidify identity away from peer pressure. 

Herbs and plants, like Goldenrod, have a beautiful way of helping the physical, emotional, and spiritual body. In our exploration of these remarkable allies, we appreciate you joining us for the second herb of this series. If there are other herbs you’re interested in learning more about go ahead and reach out to us and we’ll add them to our future writings.

And if you want to include more herbal medicine into your health or existing care plans, our naturopathic doctors at Richmond Natural Medicine have extensive knowledge of herbal remedies and can customize blends that are specific and individualized for you. For more information on becoming a new patient or getting back on the schedule, call our front desk at 804-977-2634.

Related Reading

Check out some of our practitioner’s favorite herbal teas!

Can’t shake the allergy fog? Here are a few of our favorite tips and tricks for handling all of the ragweed this fall.

If you missed our August Herb of the Month, click here to read about Agrimony!

1. McIntyre, A. The Complete Herbal Tutor: The Ideal Companion for Study and Practice (Octopus Books, 2010).

Life is about more than just living long. It is also about living well, and with life expectancy on the rise, this becomes even more important. Below is a discussion of important health aspects to focus on when maintaining optimal health, along with actionable steps you can take today to support aging with grace. 

NUTRITION:                                                                                                                                   

Nutrition may be the number one priority when it comes to aging gracefully. The nutrients received from food play a role in every single biological function and process in the body. Protein synthesis is necessary for the repair of muscles and vital organs. Absorption of healthy fats is vital for brain health. Vitamins and minerals are necessary for energy production. Without proper nutrition, we can see a decline in cognition, energy, mobility, and functioning of the heart, liver, and kidneys. Focus on the steps below to aid in adequate nutrition.

Actionable Steps:

• Eat a minimum of two meals/day
• Focus on whole foods, the fresher, the better
  • Whole foods are rich in nutrients and are free from added sugars or other undesirable substances.
  • Focus on 5-6 servings of vegetables, 1-2 servings of fruit, and a variety of whole grains, beans, lentils, nuts, seeds, mushrooms, and herbs/spices daily. 
• Eat 30 different plants a week to support digestion and microbiome diversity
  • This includes all fruits, vegetables, grains, and spices!
• Water: Aim to drink about ½ your body weight in oz of water daily. For example, if you weigh 100 lbs, 1⁄2 your body weight is 50. Aim to drink 50 oz of water daily.

PHYSICAL MOVEMENT:                                                                                                               

If nutrition is the number one priority in healthy aging, physical movement is a close second. As we age, the focus of physical movement shifts from athletic ability to maintaining mobility. The adage of “use it or lose it” is particularly true for physical activity with age. For instance, if hip mobility is limited, when you go to pick something up off the ground, you may find yourself in a precarious situation. Following the steps below can help ensure mobility as you age.

Actionable Steps:

• Walk as much as you can. Go for daily walks. If your mobility is currently limited, start with walks around your home. Be sure to make your walking area free from obstacles such as cords or bunched-up rugs!
• Move all joints every day. Point and flex your toes, bend and straighten your knees, raise your arms over your head, etc. 
• Avoid sitting for long periods of time! Every hour, stand or walk for a few minutes. Something as simple as standing helps to increase muscle stability and reduce fall risk. 
• Strength training is a must. Try adding a few simple exercises to your daily routine. For example, before sitting down completely, try sitting, then standing, and sitting, then standing again to strengthen your leg muscles. 
• When in doubt, always work with a health professional such as a physical therapist or occupational therapist to ensure safety and correct imbalances. 

COGNITION:                                                                                                                                  

Cognitive decline may be one of the biggest concerns among older adults and their families. Keeping your brain active and engaged may be an important factor in limiting concerns such as dementia or memory loss. Brains are similar to muscles in that the more you use them, the healthier and stronger they become. So toss out the idea that you can’t teach an old dog new tricks because learning new tricks helps to prevent diseases such as Alzheimer’s. 

Actionable Steps:

• Participate in hobbies or activities that interest you and try something new! Maintaining curiosity and joy is important for making new connections/synapses between brain cells. 
• Participate in physical activities that use both sides of the body, such as walking, swimming, dancing, etc. 
• Keep an active social life and communicate with others regularly.
• Talk to your healthcare provider about how medications or health conditions may contribute to memory concerns or confusion. 
• Visit your Naturopathic doctor for support with supplemental care that aids in maintaining a healthy mind. 

There are many options to reduce health concerns that come with age. Aging doesn’t have to be scary. Richmond Natural Medicine is here to help you age with grace. 

Helpful Resources

Wake Forest Osteoporosis Center

Effect of Estrogen on Calcium Absorption and Serum Vitamin D Metabolites in Postmenopausal Osteoporosis

The Naturopathic Approach to Alzheimer’s