Echinacea – also known as Purple Chrysanthemum – is the most popular herb worldwide, they are native to North America and often grow in savannas or wooded areas.
Echinacea is a group of flowering plants in the daisy family, which includes nine species, but only three are commonly used in herbal supplements: Echinacea Purpurea, Echinacea Angustifolia, and Echinacea Pallida.
Source: Rainbow Gardens
How to grow and care for Echinacea
Time to plant Echinacea: Summer is the best time for plants to grow. Spring and autumn buy seedlings to plant.
Soil:
The ratio of soil for planting is 6 parts of small-grained sandy soil, 3 parts of humus and 1 part of plant matter, combined with fertilizer application.
Flower location:
Place the plant in a sunny and well-ventilated location, and add water after the surface of the potting soil has dried.
Echinacea care:
Watering: It is recommended to water the plant every morning or evening. Do not overwater, only water when the soil is dry and cracked. Water gently to avoid shaking the roots. When watering, avoid mud or soil sticking to young leaves, affecting photosynthesis as well as plant growth.
Fertilization:
Rotten manure, urea nitrogen, potassium chloride and superphosphate can be used to fertilize. When fertilizing evenly and sprinkling the roots, regularly water the plants to absorb nutrients well.
Prune the tops and cut off the buds: When the purple chrysanthemum flowers come to a broom about 10 to 15 cm, you proceed to remove the top buds to increase the axillary buds to increase the branches to help increase the number of flowers and buds.
Care for flowers after blooming: You should remove dead flowers and apply fertilizer to make Echinacea bigger and stronger. Echinacea is cold tolerant, so it can be placed under a porch or balcony during the winter. In winter, watering should be reduced.
Prevention and treatment:
If the ventilation is not good, the tree will be susceptible to diseases, so it is recommended to spray insecticides to prevent leafworms from eating leaves. Every 2-3 years, it is advisable to split branches for propagation, planting land as above.
Health benefits of Echinacea herb
High antioxidant
Echinacea contains plant compounds that function as antioxidants such as flavonoids, cichoric acid, and rosmarinic acid that help protect cells against oxidative stress – a state associated with chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and many more.
In addition, the alkamide compound in chrysanthemum also enhances antioxidant activity, alkalis help renew worn out antioxidants and give them better access to molecules prone to oxidative stress. .
Strengthen the immune system
Echinacea can help the immune system fight infections and viruses, helping you recover faster, which is why it is often used to prevent or treat the common cold.
Purple chrysanthemum helps lower blood sugar
Echinacea extract is taken to inhibit the enzymes that digest carbohydrates, which will lower blood sugar. They also make cells more sensitive to the effects of insulin by activating the PPAR-y receptor, which helps remove excess fat from the blood.
Reduce stress and anxiety
The plant contains compounds such as alkamide, rosmarinic acid, and caffeic acid that are effective in reducing feelings of anxiety.
Helps fight inflammation
Inflammation is the body’s natural way to promote healing and protect itself, and sometimes inflammation can last longer, increasing the risk of chronic diseases and other health problems.
Echinacea extract may help reduce excess inflammation, reduce key inflammatory markers, osteoarthritis, and chronic pain and memory loss caused by inflammation.
Promotes healthier skin
With anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties, echinacea prevents the growth of propionibacterium, a common cause of acne.
Besides, purple chrysanthemum extract in skin care products also helps to improve skin aging, improve symptoms of eczema,…
Protect against cancer
Echinacea Purpurea extract and chicoric acid found in the plant can suppress cancer cell growth and induce cancer cell death by stimulating apoptosis or controlled cell death.
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