Echinacea: Love for Life

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Twin Brooks Farm is a small certified organic farm, in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. We strive to live in harmony with the Earth and nature. We use permaculture, biodynamic growing methods. We continue to expand our health giving products - music, woodworking and crafts. We, now offer Echinacea wellness herbal kits that can help you get a touch of the earth and bring healing herbs into your home. With our kit you will be able to make a healing extract, make refreshing teas and grow your own herbs. The flowers attract humming birds and add natural beauty to your yard.These kits make great gifts as well as projects to help you relax and reconnect with our Mother Earth. Echinacea purpurea Native Americans of the Plains used echinacea for many of their medical needs. They made it into poultices and teas. It was a remedy for colds, flus, arthritis, ulcers, wounds, mouth problems, snake bites and insect bites. Echinacea was a popular medicine in the United States until the rise of the pharmaceutical industry. In recent years, awareness of the benefits of echinacea has resurged, especially in Europe. Detailed studies of echinacea's range of effects on the immune system, and its growing acceptance by the A.M.A. , have helped remind people of the healing powers of this herb.

Echinacea often causes a tingling sensation on the tongue. This is a sign of its medicinal activity. There is no known toxic effect from echinacea. The herb can be used as a tonic, infection preventative, and immune-system enhancer. Echinacea, generally is started from seed, and stratification is recommended. This greatly increases germination rate. Direct seed in the spring on top of the soil or transplant after last frost. The plant is fully mature in 3 years. Echinacea may grow from 2 to 4 feet tall, having a high copper-brown flower cone with bright orange pales and rose to deep purple ray flower.

Echinacea is a vigorous grower sometimes flowering in its first season. The best time to harvest fresh cut flower is at a 25% bloom (before petals start to droop). If using as a dry flower, allow plant to reach full bloom before picking. Roots are dug in the 3rd year in the fall after 2 - 3 frosts have occurred. It can be used fresh or dry along with foliage in teas and tinctures. References A. Here is a summary, from the book The Healing Herbs by Michael Castleman, Rodale Press, Emmaus, Pennsylvania, 1991 pg 150 -154. Echinacea boosts the ability of macrophages (white blood cells to engulf germs. It also increases the production of infection-fighting T-cells (T-Lymphocytes). Echinacea counteracts the germ's tissue-dissolving enzyme, keeping germs our of the body's tissues. It also helps broken skin to form new tissue by speeding the activity of fibroblasts. Echinacea prevents inflammation by protecting the chemical (HA) which lubricates the joints. HA also helps shield tissues from germs. Echinacoside is a natural antibiotic with broad-spectrum activity, like penicillin. Echinacea may behave like interferon, the chemical released by a dying cell which boosts the ability of surrounding cells to resist infection. Echinacea is useful in the treatment of cancer, arthritis, wounds and colds and flus. It is one of nature's best blood-purifiers. B. Further information from the book, Herbal Tonic Therapies by Daniel B. Mowrey PhD, Keat Publishing Inc, New Canaan, Ct 1993, pg 40 -44 Echinacea is probably the most famous of all immunotonics. During the last 30 years, this herb has been subjected to an incredible amount of research. The herb increases the body"s natural nonspecific resistance to diseases, affects the function of phagocytosis, the specific portion of the immune system, and has an immuno-supportive action in some cases. USDA researchers have isolated a tumor-inhibiting principle in the essential oil of echinacea. Echinacea has been found to have a strong and direct activating force on the body's ability to produce macrophages. Echinacea behaves in a manner similar to interferon. Viruses had a greatly diminished capacity for causing infections. Echinacea possesses a mild but direct antibiotic property, against certain kins of microorganisms, including the notorious strep and staph germs that plague modern society. Echinacea, unlike most drugs used (to enhance immune response) is completely nontoxic, it is perfectly safe to use every day. The best rule of thumb would be to use small daily or semi-daily amounts for immune system enhancement, and larger acute doses during the course of an ongoing infection, cold, flu or fever.

The Echinacea Wellness Kits can be ordered by sending $20 (includes shipping and handling) along with your name, address and telephone number to: Twin Brooks Farm Echinacea Kit 641 Lucas Creek Road Chehalis, WA 98532 for information contact WWW: SMITHDOR@JUNO.COM Message phone: 360-262-3357

Price List Certified Organic Echinacea purpurea Shipping and handling extra

1-5 lbs 5-100 lbs Seasons Available Fresh Root $18 $12.50 year round Dry Root $60 $50 year round Fresh Flowers $7 $5 June-Sept. Dry Flowers $15 $10 year round Fresh Whole Flower Tops $7 $4 July-Aug.

2 oz. 4 oz. 1 lb. Dry Extract Mix $8 $12 $50 1 oz 12 oz. 16 oz. Echinacea Extract (alcohol base) $6.50 $18 $75 1 1/2 oz. 5 oz. 1 lb. Echinacea Tea $3 $10 $25

Twin Brooks Farm 641 Lucas Creek Road Chehalis, WA 98532 for information contact smithdor@myhome.net Message phone: 360-262-3357