Elecampane Root

Western Bulk Herbs – Elecampane Root

Elecampane relieves congestion in colds and bronchitis. It has antifungal properties and can be used to treat yeast infections and parasites. It is highly recommended for bronchitis and asthma and has been used in China and India medicine for years.

Elecampane is used in veterinarian herbal treatment for skin diseases in horses and sheep. Folk lore says it can cure hydrophobia (fear of water) in cows.

Latin Name:
Inula helenium

Common Names:
Horseheal, Scabwort, Elf dock, Alant, Aster helenium, Aster officinalis, Elfdock, Elfwort, Helenium grandiflorum, Horse-Elder, Velvet Dock, Wild Sunflower, Yellow Starwort.

Parts Used:
Roots and rhizomes dried and cut. Must be from 2- to 3-year-old plants.

Properties:
Diuretic, tonic, diaphoretic, expectorant, alterative, antiseptic, astringent and gently stimulant.

Traditional Uses:
Usually taken as a tea but it is added to cough syrups, expectorants, herbal diuretics, pain remedies, and roborants (for bringing out color from pale skin). Can also be taken in capsule form or extract. It’s been known to be candied and eaten as a sweetmeat.

Topical Uses / Applications:
N/A

Culinary Uses:
Not used in cooking.

Chemical Properties:
Bitter substances known as alanto-lactones and up to 45% inulin.

Cautions:
Do not use if you are pregnant or have allergic hypersensitivity. Excessive doses can cause vomiting, diarrhea, spasms, and symptoms of paralysis.

Folk Lore:
Magic lore uses Elecampane to enhance psychic abilities and scrying. It can also protect you from witches when combined with 8 other herbs. The Monks from the Middle Ages thought it capable of restoring the heart.

*Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Resources:
PDR for Herbal Medicines, 2000. Medical Economics Company, Montvale, New Jersey.

The New Holistic Herbal. David Hoffmann, 1990. Barnes and Noble Books, New York.

A Modern Herbal, Mrs. M. Grieve, (Dover Publications, New York, 1971)

Major Herbs of Ayurvedic.Compiled by Dahur Research Foundation and Dahur Ayurvet Limited, Ghaziabad, India., 2002. Churchill Livingstone, London, England.

Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica, Third Edition, Dan Bensky and Andrew Gamble, 1986. Eastland Press, Seattle, WA.