Echinacea Purpurea

Echinacea purpurea, also known as Coneflower, is a species of flowering plant in the genus Echinacea of the family Asteraceae. Its cone-shaped flowering heads are usually, but not always, purple in the wild. Echinacea is a hardy perennial that perfers full sun to part shade and fertile, well-drained soil. Use as a cut flower, dried, in beds, in a cottage garden design, and as a medical herb. Direct sow in the fall of the previous year for mid-summer bloom or as soon as the soil can be worked for late summer bloom.  Ecinacea can be started indoors, 8-10 weeks before planting date. Harvest seeds in flowers open.  Echinacea should be of particular interest during the cold and flu season when you are exposed to these illnesses on a regular basis. When used correctly it is the closest thing to a cure for the common cold.  According to herbwisdom.com. Echinacea stimulates the overall activity of the cells responsible for fighting all kinds of infection. Unlike antibiotics, which directly att