Botanical Name: Inula helenium
Plant Family: Compositae
Common Names: Elf Dock, Elfwort, Horse-elder, Horseheal, Scabwort, Wild Sunflower
Origin: Elecampane is a true native of Southern England though it is widely distributed throughout other parts and it grows wild throughout continental Europe, southern Siberia and north west India.
History: Ancient writers and Roman poets were all acquainted with Elecampane
The name Elecampane is a corruption of Enula campana as it grew wild in Campania. The Latin inula is thought to be from the Greek Helenion, Latin Helenium. Legend offers a few different meanings:
- Helena of Troy was supposed to have been holding the plant when Paris kidnapped her
- the plant sprang from Helena's tears
- the plant's name comes from the island of Helena where is grows abundantly
In the 18th century Elecampane was used:
- 'to stimulate the urine'
- 'to loosen the belly'
- 'to resist the poison of venomous serpents and stay the spreading of poison'
Tradition: This herb was added to love charms and amulets of all kinds (used with Mistletoe and Vervain)
Plant Constituents
Contains:
- Alantcamphor, odor and taste similar to Peppermint
- Alantol
- Alantolactone
- Alantolic Acid
- Helenin, tasteless and odorless
- Inulin
- iso-alantolactone
- mucilage
Usage
Medicinal Parts Used: Root, rootstock, rhizome
Elecampane is usually used in combination with other herbs and is used for:
Blood Conditions
- blood purifier
- spitting of blood
Brain and Nervous System Conditions
Cardiovascular Conditions
Female Conditions
Gastrointestinal Conditions
- aids digestion
- dyspepsia (with relaxation and debility)
- intestinal worms
- stimulates the digestive system
- tones the stomach
Elecampane Oil is used for:
Genitourinary Conditions
- urinary tract infections
- water retention
Inflammatory Conditions
Elecampane Oil is used for:
- respiratory and intestinal catarrh
Respiratory Tract Conditions
- asthma
- bronchitis
- chest infections
- diseases of the lungs and breast
- expels infected phlegm
- quietens coughs
- respiratory difficulties
- respiratory tract infections
- shortness of breath
- whooping cough
Elecampane Oil is used for:
- chronic bronchitis
- whooping cough
Other
- cramps
- firms the gums
- lessens tooth decay
- protects against poisonous exhalations and bad air
- strengthens eyesight
Externally it is used as a wash for:
- facial and other neuralgia
- facial spots or blemishes
- gout
- hemorrhoids
- itches
- itching rashes
- joint pains
- putrid sores
- scabies
- sciatica
- skin complaints
- wounds
Other Uses:
- burned to repel insects
- used in the preparation of Absinthe Liqueur
- as a blue dye
Action:
- alterative [an agent capable of favorably altering or changing unhealthy conditions of the body and tending to restore normal bodily function, usually by improving nutrition]
- anthelmintic [an agent that destroys or expels intestinal worms and/or parasites; vermicide; vermifuge]
- antibacterial [an agent that destroys bacteria; bactericide]
- anti-infection
- antiseptic [an agent for inhibiting the growth of microorganism on living tissue or destroying pathogenic or putrefactive bacteria]
- bactericide particularly to the Tubercle bacillus
- cholagogue [an agent for increasing the flow of bile into the intestines]
- diaphoretic [an agent that promotes perspiration]
- diuretic [an agent that increases the volume and flow of urine which cleanses the urinary system]
- expectorant [an agent that promotes the discharge of mucous and secretions from the respiratory passages]
- rubefacient [a gentle local irritant that produces blisters, inflammation and reddening of the skin]
- stimulant (gentle) [an agent that excites or quickens the functional activity of the tissues giving more energy]
- tonic [an agent that tones, strengthens and invigorates organs or the entire organism giving a feeling of well-being]
Precautions
Drug Interactions:
Do not use Elecampane without first talking to your practitioner or healthcare provider if you are taking any of the following medications:
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