The Mayo Clinic reports that echinacea is a perennial plant that has shown promise as an immune stimulant. Native Americans have used this herbal medicine for centuries to treat infections. The most popular modern day use of this herb is for respiratory ailments, such as a cold, but it is also used to cure urinary tract infections and as a treatment for acne. Echinacea is available in a number of forms that utilized key components of the plant to brew tea or create a balm. Acne results when skin pores become blocked and eventually infected. While there is no scientific evidence that echinacea will improve acne, it may help reduce swelling and eliminate infection.

Purchase dried echinacea root from a local herbal or health food store. Some people do grow this plant in their garden. To harvest roots, cut off a portion of the root with a knife. Wash the section and hang it in sunlight. Once dry, crush the piece until it becomes powder and store in a glass jar.

Add 1g of root powder to hot water and boil for 10 minutes.

Place a filter of some kind on top of a cup. The filter could be a coffee filter or a tea strainer, the finer the pores the better. Pour the hot liquid through the filter into the cup. Straining the liquid will remove any remaining sediment from the root powder.

Prepare and drink the tea three times a day for three days.

Apply a topical echinacea cream to affected area. According to the Mayo Clinic, topical applications should be a semi-solid compound that contains 15 percent pressed juice. Follow the instructions provided with the product for proper application and dosage.