Black-eyed Susan has been used for centuries as a medicinal herb by various native North American tribes to treat a wide range of ailments and even if it is not one of the most recognized medicinal plants it still has its uses in modern herbal medicine.
Recent studies indicate that extracts made from the black-eyed Susan root can be beneficial in stimulating the immune system and in that regard being even more effective than the better known medicinal plant Echinacea.
This herb has been used to treat some of the symptoms of the common cold, usually in the form of tea or infusion made from the root.
The root has been used traditionally as an herbal remedy to rid the body of parasitic worms.
The Ojibwa, a Native American tribe also known as the Chippewa, used infusions of the roots to treat worms in children.
The Ojibwa also made a poultice or external wash made from this herb as a treatment for snake bites.
This plant has diuretic properties and was used by the Native American tribes Menominee and Potawatomi to increase the flow of urine.
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Herbal Resource
I would love to know the sources for this article. I love Black Eyed Susans and have known that they have been used by indigenous peoples, but have not seen any studies or empirical writings confirming it’s usage. I would be interested to add this herb to my apothecary, especially since I have it growing in abundance in my garden.
Here is the ctiation: Immunomodulating activity of Echinacea gloriosa L., Echinacea angustifolia DC. and Rudbeckia speciosa Wenderoth ethanol-water extracts.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8688891
How does one make the extract? We have a lot of black eyed Susan’s in our gardens.