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Echinacea is another herb to grow in your garden for medicinal purposes. Just like German Chamomile, Echinacea has very showy flowers that will add some interest to your herb garden. This easy to care for plant is easy to grow and can be found abundantly in seed form.

Echinacea Seed Stating: This herb is very easy to germinate. Simply place Echinacea seeds in seed starting soil and cover. Make sure you keep the seed stating soil moist until each seedling emerges. If you want to get a heat start on the planting season, feel free to start Echinacea seeds indoors between 6 and 8 weeks ahead of the last frost date in your area. Once you plant them outside, make sure they have good exposure to the sun and keep them well watered.

Medicinal Purposes: It is thought that Echinacea boosts the immune system. With that being said, consuming some of this herb could be a great way to fight off the common cold that can prove to be nuisance.  There is also good reason to believe that this herb can help treat certain skin problems, including eczema. It is more common for roots of the Echinacea plant to be used for medicinal purposes, although it is thought that the flowers also can be useful.
Caution: Some people have allergic reactions to Echinacea. Before consuming this herb in large quantities, make sure that you do not suffer from Echinacea allergies too.

Related posts:

1. Growing Medicinal Plants: Chamomile
2. Growing Medicinal Plants: Evening Primrose
3. Growing Medicinal Plants: Peppermint
4. Growing Medicinal Plants: Introduction
5. Growing Medicinal Plants: Aloe Vera