Echinacea, the plant with medicinal properties used in soaps

Plant extracts with moisturising and firming effects on the skin

 

Some herbs and plants in soap formulations, like magnolia or lavender, are used for their essence and fragrances. Others are also used for their beneficial properties, like marigolds (which we’ve already talked about here) and echinacea. In this article, we’ll discover everything there is to know about echinacea.

 

What is echinacea, and why is it used in cosmetics?

Echinacea is a herbaceous plant native to North America but also cultivated in Europe. It comes in nine species, including echinacea angustifolia, characterised by its narrow leaves; echinacea purpurea, which possesses similar properties; and echinacea pallida, valued for its roots. Throughout the centuries, Native Americans used this medicinal plant for its antibacterial and healing properties. This practice is still prevalent in the cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries today. Echinacea extracts are primarily derived from the roots or, like echinacea purpurea, from flowers.

This plant can reach a height of 1500 meters and adapts to various climatic and environmental conditions, although it thrives in sunny areas. The vast prairies of North America are typically adorned with expansive stretches of this plant, transforming into vibrant carpets of red and pink flowers during the summer bloom. The name echinacea originates from the Greek word echinos, which means “hedgehog” and hints at the prickly shape of the seeds and leaves (bracts).

 

Echinacea: beneficial properties and soaps

Echinacea’s active ingredients are responsible for the various benefits this plant provides to the body, making it widely used in herbal medicine and cosmetics. Echinacea has high healing, immunostimulant, and anti-inflammatory properties. As a result, it’s ideal for dry, dehydrated or cracked skin. In fact, echinacea is found in many skincare products against impure skin, scars and wrinkles.

Echinacea essential oil is known for its antibacterial properties. At the same time, the extracts of this plant are used in food supplements during autumn and winter to strengthen the immune system. The antiviral action combined with the enhancement of the immune defence proves highly effective against colds, fevers, coughs, and flu.

Echinacea angustifolia plant extracts are contained in many Alchimia Soap’s handmade products because of their therapeutic and healing properties for the skin. These active ingredients help moisturise, purify, firm and stretch the skin, even the driest one, thanks to their beneficial cosmetic action, preventing dehydration and increasing the skin’s immune defence.

Discover our echinacea soaps from the White Brique and Alchemy ranges.