Common name: Echinacea, coneflower, purple coneflower, purple Kansas coneflower, comb flower, Missouri snakeroot
Arabic name: قنفذية
Family: Asteraceae
Parts Used: Roots, flower heads, leaves
Actions: Alterative, Immune Stimulant, Immunomodulant, Analgesic, Antibacterial, Antiviral, Sialagogue.
Taste: Acrid
Energy: Cooling
Native To: North America

Geographic Distribution: North America, Europe.

Botanical Description: A perennial that grows up to four feet in height. Most echinacea grows from a taproot. Stems are unbranched and straight. Leaves are typically hairy and alternate. Petals are usually purple arranged around a bristle-y cone-shaped seed head.

History and folklore: Echinacea comes from the Greek word echinos or “prickly, spiny” or "sea urchin" in reference to its bristly, comb-like seed head. Echinacea angustifolia is an immune stimulant and modulator traditionally used by North American plains people for at least 400 years for symptoms in the throat and mucus membranes, topically for snake and insect bites as well as burns and skin afflictions (using a mashed paste of the entire plant), dental cavities, venereal disease, gastrointestinal (GI) tract disorders, and even arthritis.

Uses: Echinacea is an excellent ally for infections and low immunity. It is an Immune Stimulant, Immunomodulant Analgesic, Antibacterial and Antiviral. The herb’s immune stimulation derives from three mechanisms:
1. Activates cells that destroy foreign substances such as bacteria and repairs tissues.
2. Increases respiratory activity.
3. Increases mobility of white blood cells, which protect against infections.
The topical Echinacea application is highly effective in healing skin conditions including burns, eczema, inflammation, herpes simplex, and varicose veins.

Safety: An allergic reaction may be possible in people with allergies to Asteraceae family plants.

Common name: Elder, black elder, blue elderberry, bore tree, bourtree, common elder, elderberry, elkhorn, sweet elder.
Arabic name: خمان أسود
TCM name: Jie gu mu
Family: Adoxaceae (formerly Caprifoliaceae).
Parts Used: Flower (dried), berry (cooked).
Actions: Diuretic, Antiviral, Analgesic, Anti-inflammatory, Antioxidant, Immune Stimulant.
Taste: Slightly sweet
Energy: Cooling, pungent.
Native To: Europe and parts of Asia and Africa

Geographic Distribution: Asia, Africa, Europe, North America.

Botanical Description: Elder tree grows from 10 to 30 feet tall with compound leaves comprised of 5-11 serrated oblong leaflets and extra leaflet on top. The leaves grow opposite each other along the stem, which is hollow and has a pithy core. The flowers are white arranged in flat panicles. The fruit are flat or slightly rounded branching clusters of glossy dark purple or black berries that appear in late autumn.

History and folklore: Elder is referred to time and again as “the medicine chest for the country people”, alluding to its wide-ranging medicinal actions and ready availability. Elder’s botanical name Sambucus is from the Greek musical instrument the sambuke, made from the hollow stems of elder wood, and nigra refers to its black berries. In the 4th century B.C.E., Hippocrates recommended elderberry for a wide variety of complaints. Elder has been revered as a magical and sacred plant throughout history in many cultures, and has been used to ward off evil influences, carried for good luck, and protect the home. Ancient legends from different parts of the world say that a wise woman (nymph) named Elda Mor (Hylde-Moer) lives in the elder tree to watch over it and offer healing to us, and when you seek elder’s help for healing, you must show respect for her powers and honor her. Offering gratitude for a plant’s gift of healing is always recommended as a way to connect with the plant and receive its support.

Uses: Elderberries are rich in vitamins A and C, antioxidant flavanoid compounds, and iron. Elderflower and elderberry are both exceptional allies during colds, flu, and respiratory infections due to their diaphoretic and antiviral actions. Taken as a hot tea (or tincture), elderflowers move energy and qi outward by stimulating circulation and promoting sweating, removing toxins from the body and reducing fever after its work of killing pathogens is done. Elderflower is also anti-inflammatory, anti-catarrhal and expectorant, and helps in cases of colds, sinusitis and sinus allergies to reduce inflammation of sinus tissue and allow for the movement of congestion. Elderberry is also effective for coughs and congestion associated with lower respiratory viral infections, promoting expectoration of mucus associated with bronchial infections. Elderflowers and elderberries are anti-inflammatory. The flowers and berries contain anthocyanins (pigments which impart the blue and purple color) which reduce the buildup of uric acid in the joints, so are used to reduce inflammation associated with rheumatism, gout, and arthritis. Fresh elder leaves are used externally as a poultice or an oil infusion for bruises, sprains, and wounds due to their vulnerary (tissue healing) and astringent (toning) actions. Elderflowers are also a relaxing nervine, supporting the nervous system in times of stress. The relaxing nature is also soothing to nerves, anxiety, and depression

Safety: Elder bark, leaves, roots, seeds, and unripe berries contain alkaloids and cyanogenic glycosides, which may cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea as well as depression of the central nervous and respiratory systems. This reaction occurs only if these plant parts are used fresh, as cooking or drying reduces the cyanogenic glycoside content. The elderflowers are considered safe even for small children, and the ripe fresh berries are considered safe unless consumed in high quantities or by someone sensitive to the compounds in the plant; however, cooking or drying them is the safest approach. Due to its diuretic effects, use caution if taking with drugs that increase urination.