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What to use instead of echinacea
Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2015 9:23 am
by Hyldemors Have
Hello all,
I use echinacea tincture a lot, but it is not a native plant of Denmark (Scandinavia), so I have to order dried root from England or other sources. But I would very much like to use a native plant instead, to lower the cost and troubles.
But do any of you know of any plant with similar forces? I have thought of yarrow, but I am not sure, that it has the same abilities regards white blood cells and all.
/Maria Lisette
Re: What to use instead of echinacea
Posted: Sun Feb 15, 2015 9:04 am
by Melissa Doordaughter
I have been thinking about how much echinacea I use, and have started trying to grow it... It might even grow in Denmark....
But if you are looking for something native to your home perhaps usnea, which is a lichen, could be interesting? I've never tried making a preparation for it though, think it is a bit more complicated than a plant tincture?
http://www.itmonline.org/arts/usnea.htm
Re: What to use instead of echinacea
Posted: Sun Feb 15, 2015 4:40 pm
by Hyldemors Have
I have looked it up, and usnea is supposedly pretty rare in Denmark, but I will keep a look for it.
I have planted echinacea angustifolia in my garden, but it is slowgrowing, so while I am waiting, I really would love to find a native plant with same abilities...
Re: What to use instead of echinacea
Posted: Sun Feb 15, 2015 5:29 pm
by ItalianBee
I have my very first tincture of Usnea (also known as Old Man's Beard) working in the pantry. I gathered it with my niece who wanted a closely related lichen for dyeing wool; you have to look closely to tell some of those tree lichens apart. What I have been told is that you have to let it sit for a year and then it should turn gold if it is going to be effective. So I won't be checking mine out until late summer! I'm not sure what other preparations would extract the goods as well.
I should add that I've read more about the antibiotic and antifungal properties of usnea than the immune boosting properties.
Re: What to use instead of echinacea
Posted: Mon Feb 16, 2015 2:38 pm
by Hyldemors Have
OK - I will keep my eyes open.
Re: What to use instead of echinacea
Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2015 4:26 am
by Melissa Doordaughter
Wow, a golden tincture... that will be a real magical potion!
Also, perhaps elder can offer some of the same properties as echinacea, the flowers can be made into a tea for reducing a fever. And the berries make a wonderful concoction against flu. But I don't know if it's antiviral properties boost the immune system... That'd be interesting to know.