Echinacea is a popular, non-toxic herb widely revered and used for its immune-stimulating, anti-bacterial, and antiviral activity. It enhances one's resistance to colds and flu (particularly when taken at the onset), is useful for septicemia and skin complaints (such as boils, abscesses, or carbuncles), and is used as a mouthwash for gum problems. Echinacea is taken for chronic infections of the urinary and respiratory tracts. It is also used locally as an antiseptic for burns, wounds, bites, skin ulcers, and eczema and psoriasis.