echinacea

American  

[ek-uh-ney-shuh, -see-uh] / ˌɛk əˈneɪ ʃə, -si ə /

noun

1. any of several coneflowers of the genus Echinacea whose leaves, roots, and other parts are used in herbal medicine to promote wound healing and enhance the immune system.

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echinacea British  

/ ˌɛkɪˈneɪʃɪə /

noun

1. Also called: purple coneflower.  either of the two N American plants of the genus Echinacea, having flower heads with purple rays and black centres: family Compositae (composites) See coneflower

2. the powdered root of either of these plants, used to stimulate the immune system

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Etymology

Origin of echinacea

First recorded in 1825–30; from New Latin Echīnācea, genus name, from Latin echīnus “sea urchin,” from Greek echînos “hedgehog, sea urchin, a kind of plant” + -acea ( def. )

Example Sentences

She also says echinacea, turmeric and ginger shots are not going to give you an immune boost.

From BBC • Feb. 8, 2025

He went on to list some of the supplements that haven’t shown benefits in trials: turmeric, St. John’s wort, ginkgo, echinacea.

From Washington Post • Jan. 24, 2020

“I didn’t like dirt, I didn’t like bugs,” he said as he prepared some flowering echinacea for a circular bed.

From New York Times • Oct. 4, 2019

Rigorous assessments of herbal remedies, including St. John’s Wort, Gingko Biloba, ginseng, echinacea, and others show that they have no effect on many of the diseases and medical conditions for which they are used.

From Slate • Sep. 7, 2016

When Mother couldn’t get the swelling down with echinacea and calendula, Dad suggested his own remedy.

From "Educated" by Tara Westover