Ic̄aḣp̄e hu - Echinacea
Echinacea is widely used for its immunity-boosting, anti-viral and anti-microbial properties, and its ability to reduce inflammation. Every part of the plant can be used medicinally, but we recommend collecting either flowers and stems or just the roots from any one plant to allow them to grow back.
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We make a tobacco offering when we harvest to develop our relationship with them, and we tell them what they need. We acknowledge that they are leaving their family to come and help ours. You take what you need, not everything.
You can harvest the flowers and leaves in the spring and summer once they bloom.
The root is best harvested in fall after the first big freeze when the medicine moves underground. Gently remove the topsoil then dig up the root and refill the hole.
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Take what you need, not everything. The head will have sticky seed nodes, so bury them in the soil as you work. If you dig too deep you will find the mother root, which is best to leave so she can support many plants.
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Clean and dry the plant after harvesting.
To make tea, the root can boil with the water, but if you are using the flowers and leaves, they should just be added to hot water.
What to know
Learn more about IC̄AḢP̄E HU - ECHINACEA
Listen to a IC̄AḢP̄E HU teaching shared at the 2025 Ohuŋk̄aŋk̄aŋ Series: Seeding Plant Sovereignty
Presented by Anne White Hat.
Learn to make tea with ic̄aḣp̄e hu from Inyan Eagle Elk
Inyan discusses hot tea with Ic̄aḣp̄e hu in this demonstration of a variety of drinks made with our traditional plant relatives.