Purple echinacea, also known as purple coneflower and Sampson root, is a member of the daisy family that occurs naturally in the eastern United States and is widely cultivated elsewhere.
While the herb provides long-lasting, showy flowers all summer, the root of the plant is harvested in late fall for its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory qualities. For the immune system, Echinacea is often used at the first sign of illness or during short-term immune challenges. The dried root is typically either decocted to make teas and infusions or is tinctured in alcohol.
