Echinacea Purpurea

Also known as the purple or prairie coneflower, echinacea is a wild flower with daisy-like purple blossoms. It is native to the grasslands of Central America. Echinacea was used for centuries by Native American Indians to heal septic wounds and snake bites. The plant also became a favourite among European pioneers in America and their doctors for treating infections. Containing natural substances with antibiotic properties, echinacea helps to kill bacteria, viruses, fungi and other disease-causing microbes. It works by stimulating the production of white blood cells whose job it is to fight infection.