Which Parts of Echinacea and Forsythia Are Used
Answered by: Richters Staff
Question from: Kathleen A. Delgado
Posted: Before April 1998

What part of echinacea do I use to prepare a tincture? And how much do I use?

Which part of the Forsythia do you use for medicinal purposes?

The root is the part of the plant that is most used in echinacea medicines, however, the leaves and even the stems have medicinal action also. Some commercial preparations incorporate both roots and leaves because of shortages of roots in recent years. Some European manufacturers sell products made from the leaves only.

The root is harvested in the third or fourth year. Fresh or dried the roots are cut into small pieces and steeped in ethyl alcohol. Vodka also works well.

The dried ripe fruits Forsythia are used in Chinese medicine. In a decoction (boiled tea), pills, powder, poultice or as a wash, it is effective to treat inflammed sores and to remove pus.

Back to Medicinal Herbs and Their Uses | Q & A Index

Copyright © 1997-2024 Otto Richter and Sons Limited. All rights reserved.