FLU FIGHTING PURPLE CONE FLOWER

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Flu season is almost upon us and with it brings misery. You can get your fill of the government trying to convince everyone to get

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flu shots that actually give you the flu! , and even then they don't protect against all types of flu. The very best thing you can do to protect yourself and your family is to take Echinacea root. Echinacea is the scientific name for Purple Coneflower. You can find echinacea in pill form at any healthfood store or pharmacy, however it is only the arial parts and they are not effective in preventing and curing your flu. To seriously treat the flu and or to prevent it all together you need to drink echinacea root tea. Yes, you still need to wash your hands frequently and try to minimize virus germs in your home, and eat an immune boosting diet rich in vitamin C and antioxidants.
Both E. angustifolia and E. purpurea contain the alkamides that are proven effective against the rhinovirus(cold and flu virus). Echinacea is also anti-inflammatory ,antibiotic, detoxifying, and antiallergenic as well as being helpful in healing wounds and increasing sweating.
Only harvest two year old plants in the fall, wash thoroughly, chop and dry. You can store your dried root in an air tight container that prevents light from penetrating inside . Honestly , we just harvest our echinacea when someone comes down with the flu which usually happens in the fall. You can make tea with it imediatly after harvesting and dry the rest, if you have any left. One whole root clump is suffecient for a qaurt size jar full of tea which will treat four people for about 4 days. After you drink a cup of hot tea, refrigerate the rest in a quart jar only heating it before you serve it in a tea cup. Add honey or sugar to help with the taste. It is really not too bad. My husband however always "doctors" our tea by adding cayenne pepper, garlic , lemon balm and yarrow. The cayenne pepper serves as a catalyst for the echinacea, it along with the garlic helps deliver the medicine faster and thoroughly thru your blood stream.
If you are not fortunate enough to raise this beautiful garden perenial then you can buy organic dried echinacea root from several herb retailers.