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Echinacea tincture has been used historically for anything from snake or spider bites to colds and flu, strep, even topically for wound care. It is a longtime favorite of mine to use for acute conditions. I don’t use this remedy for long term healing, or for bacterial infections. This is what I grab when the flu or cold is coming on fast, or if I’m getting a scratchy throat-or there is a small wound that just doesn’t act right.
There are two kinds of Echinacea (also called Purple Coneflower and Kansas Snake Root) Echinacea Angustfolia and Echinacea Purpurea. KNOW WHICH ONE YOU HAVE! I use Echinacea Angustfolia root. More common in Europe is the Echinacea purpurea. Some say you can use them interchangeably, honestly I have always used Echinacea Angustfolia root for any tincture I have made. The dried leaves can be used but I have found that the root, cleaned and VERY dry, chopped, works best for a strong, useful tincture for all manner of uses.
Making an Echinacea tincture is pretty simple-grab a couple ounces of the dried root, toss it in a pint or half pint mason jar and cover with grain alcohol or even cheap vodka. Close the jar, shake every couple days and keep in a cool, dry place. Wait a good 3-6 weeks before decanting. Should you decide to keep the tincture in the mason jar, strain it through a cheesecloth to remove the root pieces and use gloves, you are working with medicine at this point and you don’t want to absorb a whole lot through your skin unless you need to.
Yes, it is that simple.
A word about usage: Don’t use echinacea for longer than a week at the time. It works by ‘tricking’ the body to rev up and fight off a virus or poison-and the body figures it out after about a week, so take time off between periods of usage. Generally a week on, a week off. It’s not an herb you use long term, anyway.
As for dosage:
Strep throat: I have squirted a dropper full down the back of my throat a couple times a day and it has knocked it out within 48 hours. (In conjunction with healing broths and lots of water)
Flu: I use it in conjunction with vitamin c, healing broth, and hot peppers.
For wounds or bites: I use it directly on the area several times a day.
For snakebite: I don’t have any experience, thankfully-but I have heard it said that in the event of a snakebite (or any bite that has neuro-toxins involved-to drink a good, small gulp and get to the doc as soon as possible. I don’t know how useful it is in this case so I wouldn’t risk it if I could get to a doctor.
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