Echinacea, or more commonly known as coneflower, has been a revered herb since ancient times. It is often referred to as “poor man’s ginseng” due to its numerous beneficial properties, yet it is much more affordable than ginseng.
Coneflower has also become a popular collectible among many Vietnamese enthusiasts who enjoy displaying carved echinacea roots soaked in glass jars of alcohol. Almost every avid alcohol collector has one or two jars of soaked coneflower roots in their collection.
Older echinacea roots tend to be larger and facilitate more unique and intricate carvings, hence their higher price tag. However, this does not imply that older roots are necessarily more nutritious.
The Many Benefits of Echinacea
How Old Should Echinacea Be to Be Considered Good?
Echinacea is typically grown for ornamental purposes or for its roots and leaves. The leaves are sold as spices, made into tea, or used as a culinary herb. When purchasing leaves, age is not a significant factor, but when it comes to the roots, age matters. Echinacea roots need to be at least five years old to be considered potent and beneficial. Echinacea is a slow-growing plant, and it takes time for its roots to develop and concentrate the desired compounds. The plant’s roots only start to gain significant medicinal value after the three-year mark. Harvesting before this period will result in roots with minimal therapeutic benefits.
Therefore, young echinacea roots lack the desired medicinal properties. The roots are believed to have the highest concentration of beneficial compounds between the ages of five and ten years. At this stage, the roots are packed with nutrients, and their size is also optimal. After this period, the medicinal value plateaus and may even decrease as the roots age and undergo physiological changes that reduce their potency. Older roots with higher prices are often valued for their aesthetic appeal and rarity rather than superior medicinal properties. If you’re seeking maximum therapeutic benefits, it’s best to choose roots within the appropriate age range.
Thus, echinacea roots aged between six and eight years old are ideal for consumption, while roots aged ten years and older are primarily used for decorative purposes due to their impressive size and rarity.
Ideal Age for Echinacea Roots: 6-8 Years Old
Tips for Choosing Echinacea Roots
– When selecting echinacea roots, look for plants with smaller leaves, indicating the “nếp” variety of echinacea. This variety has lower yield but higher value and more concentrated medicinal properties. Examine the remaining leaves on the stem; if they are small, it’s likely echinacea nếp.
– Consider the color and appearance of the roots. Older roots have a deeper, richer color, and their primary roots tend to be larger and longer than younger ones. Look for roots with a golden straw color, a pleasant aroma, and a soft, moist texture—avoid dry roots. The most valuable part of the root is the section between the root and the stem, which is why this portion is often cut to a length of 10-15 cm and soaked in alcohol along with the roots.
– Prized echinacea roots are large, gnarled, and well-rooted. For regular soaking, choose roots aged 6-8 years, and for carving, opt for roots aged 8-10 years or older.
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