Edible and Poisonious plants in the Grasslands
Purple coneflower has a long history of medicinal use. Native Americans used it as an antidote for snake bit and other venomous bites and stings. It was also used in a smoke treatment for headaches. Purple coneflower was used to calm toothaches and sore gums, and tea form it was drunk to treat colds
The milky juice and the leaves are "bitter and mildly toxic," but boiling can rid the plant of both of those problems.