Did you know that Echinacea, sometimes called the coneflower, is a good toothache pain reliever?
Not only is the Echinacea plant a beautiful flowering herb welcome in most gardens and flower beds, but the medicinal values are numerous and proven. It also grows in many roadways and can even be transplanted, but make sure you know what the public laws are governing digging up plants on public lands. The only caution would be that if you have allergies to different plants and pollens make sure that Echinacea is not one of them.
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In Native American cultures, Echinacea was and is known as the “ toothache plant.” With my Native upbringing, my grandmother taught us what to do in situations when we could not get to a doctor. Echinacea does not cure an infection, but it can definitely relieve pain until you can get to the dentist. The fresh dug root is, by far, the best part of the plant to use.
Simply take a small portion of the root that is healthy and free of mold and damage. Wash it well and cut it up into small pieces. A thin slice held over the painful part in your mouth works, or you can put it into a blender or food chopper and take it almost to a puree stage. It can have some strings or very small lumps in it, but it needs to be very fine, almost like a paste. Add a few drops of water to make a paste-like consistency if needed.
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If you do not have the fresh dug root, then an alternative would be to have some Echinacea capsules. They can be purchased over the counter where supplements and vitamins are sold. Take one or two of the capsules, twist it open, and gently pour the powdered Echinacea into a very small dish. Add water, a drop at a time, until you can make a thick paste.
