Elecampane

Latin Name: Inula helenium
Family: Asteraceae/Compositae

Part used: Root & rhizome
Energetics: Sweet, pungent, dry, warming, bitter
Iris: Lymphatic
Interactions: Please check with your Healthcare Provider.

CONTRA-INDICATIONS

Avoid when known to be sensitive to members of the Asteraceae (Daisy) family.
Pregnancy (British Herbal Compendium)
No safety concerns if taken within the recommended dosage range.
High doses may cause nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea, likely due to the sesquiterpene lactones.

ACTIONS

Expectorant
Anti-asthmatic
Spasmolytic
Antiprotozoal
Antimicrobial
Antifungal
Mucolytic
Digestive
Pulmonary tonic
Bitter tonic.

Main Constituents

Inulin 40% (immunostimulant)
Sesquiterpene lactones
Triterpenoid saponins (expectorant)
Volatile oil – helenin (anthelmintic, antiseptic)
Polyacetylenes (antibacterial)
Mucilage
Alantoin (heals damaged tissues, demulcent heals lung lining)

Main Uses

Respiratory System: Tonic for the lungs, lung infections as an expectorant and antimicrobial. Spasmolytic on the bronchioles, phlegmy coughs that produce thick mucus, removes phlegm, asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, whooping cough, tuberculosis, pleurisy.
Endocrine System: Chronic fatigue syndrome, foggy headedness, Tonic for a depleted system, Obesity
Digestive System: Promotes secretions and movement of the gut so useful for weak digestion with low digestive fire, Poor appetite, Bloating, Wind, Intestinal parasites.

More About Elecampane

Use in Western, Ayurvedic and Traditional Chinese Medicine. Herbalist John Gerard said “The flowers of this herb are in all their bravery during June and July; the roots should be gathered in the autumn. The plant is good for old cough, and for such as cannot breathe freely unless they hold their necks upright; also it is of great value when given in a loch, which is a medicine to be licked on. It voids out thick clammy humors, which stick in the chest and lungs”.
A decoction or a tincture of the root can be used as a lung tonic in all manner of cases where there is a need to support the respiratory system. It may also support the digestive system, especially in cases where there are intestinal worms.
Pliny, a Roman writer from the time of the ancient Greek physicians, wrote of Caesar’s daughter that “Julia Augustus let no day pass without eating some of the roots of Enula, considered to help digestion and cause mirth. The Welsh physicians of the C13th called the plant Marchlan y Llwyglas and used it as a treatment for burns.
In recent history the effect of the root on respiratory diseases has highlighted the value of the plant. Research has focused on its antibacterial action against Mycobacterium tuberculosis and MRSA.
One of the most important herbs to the Greeks and Romans, Elecampane was regarded as almost a cure-all for dropsy, digestive upsets, menstrual disorders and sciatica. Anglo-Saxons used the herb as a tonic for skin disease and leprosy.

Recipes:

Elecampane Tea

Ingredients:

1-2 teaspoons dried elecampane root (or 1 tablespoon if using fresh)
236ml of hot water
Optional: Honey or lemon for flavor

Instructions:

Place the dried elecampane root in a teapot or a heatproof container.
Pour hot water over the elecampane root.
Cover and steep for about 10-15 minutes.
Strain the tea to remove the elecampane root.
If desired, add honey or lemon for flavor.

Elecampane Honey Syrup

Ingredients:

335g of honey (preferably raw and organic)
2 tablespoons dried elecampane root
Optional: Lemon zest or a slice of fresh ginger for added flavor

Instructions:

Place the dried elecampane root in a clean, dry glass jar.
Heat the honey in a saucepan over low heat until it becomes thin and easily pourable. Be cautious not to overheat it.
Pour the warm honey over the elecampane root in the jar.
Add optional lemon zest or a slice of fresh ginger for added flavor.
Stir the mixture well to ensure the elecampane is fully covered by the honey.
Seal the jar tightly and let it sit in a cool, dark place for at least two weeks. Shake the jar gently every day.
After two weeks, strain the honey to remove the elecampane root and any added ingredients.
Transfer the resulting elecampane-infused honey to a clean, dark glass jar.

References

Metabolic Syndrome/Obesity

Elecampane ( Inula helenium) Root Extract and Its Major Sesquiterpene Lactone, Alantolactone, Inhibit Adipogenesis of 3T3-L1 Preadipocytes
These results suggest that IHE inhibits adipogenesis, in part, through co-regulation of AMPKα and Nur77, and has potential as a therapeutic option for obesity and related metabolic dysfunction.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35897937/

https://www.herbalreality.com/herb/elecampane/

https://www.midsummerfarm.com/poultry-and-elecampane-root.html

https://www.herbalclinic-swansea.co.uk/articles/elecampane-inula-helenium/

https://materiamedicaresource.wordpress.com/2013/05/11/elecampane/

https://www.verywellhealth.com/elecampane-4766904#toc-interactions