Elecampane

Inula helenium

COMMON NAMES

• Elecampane
• Horseheal
• Scabwort

Elecampane is a perennial herb common to damp pastures and fields and roadsides in the eastern and central portions of the U.S. and Canada. The plant grows anywhere from 3 to 6 feet in height, has a stout, branched stem rising from a basal rosette type of large ovate, pointed leaves, and manifests bright yellow flower heads during mid-to-late summer. These flower heads are usually 4 inches wide and look like small sunflowers. The root is large, heavy, long and white inside but yellow on the outside, and emits an odor similar to violets in bloom.

Elecampane inherits two of its common names from its early medical applications. "Horseheal" was derived from its use by veterinarians in treating pulmonary disorders in horses. "Scabwort" came from the herb's reputed effectiveness in healing scabs on sheep.

Elecampane is a beautiful herb whose leaves resemble those of the mullein plant, and whose flowers look like sunflowers. The plant can be found growing wild throughout Europe and the temperate zones of Asia, as far as southern Siberia and northwestern India. In North America, elecampane grows from Nova Scotia to North Carolina, and then westward to Missouri. Elecampane is a tall plant-it reaches heights of 4 to 6 feet. Elecampane has a stout, deeply furrowed stem which is branched at the top. At its base, the down-covered plant displays a rosette of large, oval leaves that are 1 to 1 1/2 feet long and up to 4 inches across. These leaves are downy and have toothed margins. The leaves that grow on the stem itself are shorter and broader and clasp the stem. Elecampane flowers are bright yellow and are produced in large terminal heads 3 to 4 inches across. The perennial rootstock is large, succulent, branching, and aromatic.

The best way to propagate elecampane is from offshoots or root cuttings taken in autumn from a mature plant. The root pieces should be about 2 inches long. Cover them with slightly moist, sandy soil and store them over the winter in a room with a  constant temperature between 50 and 60 F degrees. The roots will develop into new plants by spring, and you can set these out after the danger of frost is past. Place them in rows 3 feet apart, with about 18 inches between plants. Elecampane can also be grown easily from seed started in flats indoors or in a cold frame in early spring. Set out the transplants after the danger of frost is past. Elecampane prefers a clay loam that is moist and well drained in a damp, somewhat shaded environment.

The root is the part of the plant used for healing purposes. It is harvested in the autumn of the plant's second year, after two hard frosts. For medicinal purposes, elecampane root is considered good only in the second year of its growth. In ancient Rome, elecampane was regarded as a good aid in overcoming post banquet indigestion.

Elecampane entered folk medicine with the ancient Greeks and Romans, who used it in cold remedies because it was thought to promote sweating and help bring up phlegm. In the 19th century the roots were boiled in sugar water to make cough drops and asthma lozenges or just candy.

Elecampane was also thought to be good for the stomach. The Romans served it regularly as an aid to digestion. Later it was the main herbal ingredient in a medieval digestive wine called potio Paulina, or "drink of Paul," an allusion to St. Paul's biblical injunction to "use a little wine for thy stomach's sake."

Although its large radiant yellow blossoms make elecampane a strikingly beautiful garden flower, it seems likely that the European settlers of North America introduced the plant neither for their eyes' nor for their stomachs' sake, but because of its widely held reputation as an effective remedy for skin diseases on sheep and horses. The veterinary use is the origin of elecampane's other common names, scabwort and horseheal. The root was used to treat human ailments too, particularly respiratory diseases, and was at one time listed in the U.S. Pharmacopeia.

PARTS USED

Root, flowers.

USES

Chest infections - Elecampane has long been valued as a tonic herb for the respiratory system. Its warming effect on the lungs, combined with its ability to gently stimulate the coughing up and clearing of mucus from the chest, makes it a safe remedy for young and old. Elecampane can be used in almost all chesty conditions, and is very useful when the patient is debilitated.
Chronic chest complaints - Elecampane's attributes have led to its specific use for chronic bronchitis and bronchial asthma. It is particularly useful because it both soothes the bronchial tube linings and is an expectorant. In addition, the herb is mildly bitter, helping recovery by improving digestion and the absorption of nutrients.
Digestive problems - Elecampane has been taken traditionally as a tonic herb for the digestion. It stimulates the appetite and relieves dyspepsia. Elecampane is a useful remedy for the treatment of worms.
Infection - In the past, elecampane was used in the treatment of tuberculosis. Elecampane combines well with other antiseptic herbs and is used for infections such as flu and tonsillitis. Its restorative, tonic action complements its ability to counter infection.
Other medical uses - Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease ( COPD ).

HABITAT AND CULTIVATION

Native to southeastern Europe and western Asia, elecampane now grows in many temperate regions, including parts of the US. Elecampane is also cultivated. Propagated from seed in spring or by root division, it prefers moist, well-drained ground. The root is unearthed in the autumn, cut up, and then dried at a high temperature.

RESEARCH

Inulin - Inulin was first isolated from elecampane in 1804 and took its name from the herb. It has mucilaginous qualities that help soothe the bronchial linings.
Alantolactone - This constituent is thought to be anti-inflammatory. It also reduces mucous secretions and stimulates the immune system.
Whole herb - As a whole, the herb has a stimulant, expectorant effect, encouraging the coughing up of mucus from the lungs. The volatile oil is known to be partly responsible for this and also for the herb's antiseptic properties.

CONSTITUENTS

• Inulin (up to 44%)
• Volatile oil {up to 4%), containing alantol and sesquiterpene lactones (including alantolactone)
• Triterpene saponins ( dammaranedienol)

APPLICATIONS

ROOT:

DECOCTION - Use for bronchitis, asthma, upper respiratory problems, or to ease hay fever symptoms. Take regularly as a general tonic or for long-standing chronic respiratory complaints. Also acts as a digestive tonic and liver stimulant.

TINCTURE - Take as a tonic in debility and chronic respiratory complaints.

WASH - Use the decoction or diluted tincture for eczema, rashes, and varicose ulcers.

SYRUP - Take a syrup made with the decoction for coughs.

FLOWERS:

DECOCTION - Take for nausea, vomiting, or coughs with copious phlegm. Alternatively, combine 10 g flowers with 10 g fresh ginger root, 10 ml ban xia, and 5 ml licorice root, and use for excess phlegm in the stomach with nausea, abdominal distension, flatulence, and vomiting of mucus.

SYRUP - Take a syrup made with  the infusion in 10 - 20 ml doses for coughs.

VERMIFUGE WINE

• 1 cup (250 ml) gin or vodka
• 7 oz (200 g) elecampane root, fresh or dried, chopped
• 4 cups (1 liter) red wine
• 1/4 cup (75 g) cane sugar

Macerate the elecampane in alcohol for 1 week in an amber-colored jar, away from light. Add the wine and sugar. Shake regularly and strain at the end of 1 month. Drink in a liqueur glass -1 oz (25 mI) - before meals, for 3 consecutive days. Wait 10 days. Repeat the treatment 3 times. This aromatic wine also has aperient, digestive and tonic attributes. Avoid drinking in the case of an ulcer, diarrhea and in the early stages of pregnancy.

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