II. History

The Plain Indians were the first to extensively use Echinacea for a variety of human and animal ailments. H.F.C. Meyer, a German lay physician, was first exposed to the healing powers of the Echinacea in the 1870's from the Native Americans of Nebraska – possibly the Pawnee or Omaha. John King, a prominent Eclectic doctor (doctors that used plants extensively in their work), and John Uri Lloyd, a distinguished pharmacist, were very important in introducing Echinacea to the medical profession in 1887. Their famous “Echafolta” was an Echinacea and alcohol based elixir that claimed to cure everything from rabid dog bites to gonorrhea. In 1910, the American Medical Association (AMA) declared Echinacea a "useless quack remedy," though many continued to use it (http://www.ginseng.ca/echinacea_01002.htm). Echinacea then fell into disfavor among Americans in 1930, but became popular in Germany where the herb was widely documented (http://sunsite.unc.edu/herbs/immune.html). Dr. Gerhard Madaus of Germany developed a juice concoction made of Echinacea purpurea. This became the most "frequently prescribed Echinacea preparation worldwide" (http://www.consciouschoice.com/features/echinacea.html). In the 1980's, Echinacea made a comeback in the United States and took its place as one of "America's best-selling herb extracts" (http://sunsite.unc.edu/herbs/immune.html).

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