Chewed, or in tea, used for snakebites, spider bites, cancers, toothaches, bums, hard-to-heal sores and wounds, flu, and colds. Science confirms many traditional uses, plus cortisone-like activity; also insecticidal, bactericidal, and immunostimulant activities. Considered a nonspecific immune system stimulant. More than 200 pharmaceutical preparations are made from Echinacea plants in W. Germany, including extracts, salves, and tinctures; used for wounds, herpes sores, canker sores, throat infections; preventative for influenza, colds. A folk remedy for brown recluse spider bites. This application should be investigated. Remarks: Hybrids occur where the range of this species overlaps that of Pale Purple Coneflower.