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
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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