Description

Echinacea purpurea adventitious root refers to the adventitious roots of the Echinacea purpurea plant, belonging to the Asteraceae family. These roots are highly valued for their medicinal properties, particularly their immune-boosting and anti-inflammatory effects. They are commonly used in herbal medicine and in various cosmetic and skincare applications.

CHEMICAL COMPOSITION AND STRUCTURE

Chemically, the adventitious roots of Echinacea purpurea contain:

Phenolic Compounds: such as cichoric acid and caftaric acid, which provide antioxidant and immune-supporting properties.
Polysaccharides: known for their ability to stimulate the immune system.
Alkamides: which offer anti-inflammatory effects and enhance the efficacy of other active compounds.

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES

Appearance: small, fibrous roots with a white to yellowish color.
Odor: a mild, herbal, and slightly earthy scent characteristic of echinacea.
Solubility: the active compounds in the roots are soluble in alcohol and water, making them suitable for various extraction processes.
Density: varies depending on the form (whole roots, extracts, etc.).

PRODUCTION PROCESS

Cultivation: Echinacea purpurea is cultivated under optimal conditions to promote the growth of adventitious roots rich in active compounds.
Harvesting: the adventitious roots are harvested at a specific stage of the growth cycle to ensure the highest concentration of active ingredients.
Drying and Processing: the roots are carefully dried to preserve the beneficial compounds and are then processed into extracts, tinctures, powders, or other forms.
Extraction: the active ingredients are extracted from the roots using methods such as solvent extraction, infusion, or cold pressing.
Packaging and Storage: the final product is packaged in airtight containers and stored in a cool, dry place to maintain its potency.

APPLICATIONS

Herbal Medicine: used for its immune-stimulating, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral properties.
Immune Support: used in supplements, tinctures, and capsules to strengthen the immune system and reduce the severity of infections.
Skin Care: applied in topical products such as creams and ointments to treat inflammation, acne, and other skin conditions.
Wellness: included in formulations aimed at promoting general health and boosting the body’s resilience.

ENVIRONMENTAL AND SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS

Sustainability: the adventitious roots of Echinacea purpurea can be cultivated and harvested sustainably, particularly in organic farming contexts.
Toxicity: the roots are generally considered safe for use in most people, though they may cause allergic reactions in individuals sensitive to plants in the Asteraceae family.
Allergenicity: as with all plant-based products, individual reactions of intolerance or allergy cannot be excluded, especially in those with known sensitivities to related plants.

INCI


Skin conditioning agent - Emollient. Emollients have the characteristic of enhancing the skin barrier through a source of exogenous lipids that adhere to the skin, improving barrier properties by filling gaps in intercorneocyte clusters to improve hydration while protecting against inflammation. In practice, they have the ability to create a barrier that prevents transepidermal water loss. Emollients are described as degreasing or refreshing additives that improve the lipid content of the upper layers of the skin by preventing degreasing and drying of the skin. The problem with emollients is that many have a strong lipophilic character and are identified as occlusive ingredients; they are oily and fatty materials that remain on the skin surface and reduce transepidermal water loss. In cosmetics, emollients and moisturisers are often considered synonymous with humectants and occlusives.

Humectant. Hygroscopic compound used to minimise water loss in the skin and to prevent it from drying out by facilitating faster and greater absorption of water into the stratum corneum of the epidermis. The epidermis is the most superficial of the three layers that make up human skin (epidermis, dermis and hypodermis) and is the layer that maintains hydration in all three layers. In turn, the epidermis is composed of five layers: horny, the most superficial, granular, spinous, shiny, and basal. Humectants have the ability to retain the water they attract from the air in the stratum corneum and have the function of moisturising the skin. They are best used before emollients, which are oil-based.

Skin conditioning agent. It is the mainstay of topical skin treatment as it has the function of restoring, increasing or improving skin tolerance to external factors, including melanocyte tolerance. The most important function of the conditioning agent is to prevent skin dehydration, but the subject is rather complex and involves emollients and humectants that can be added in the formulation.
Synonyms:

CAS: 90028-20-9 EC number 289-808-4