Elecampane
(also referred to as...)
Horseheal, Scabwort, Velvet Dock, Wild Sunflower, Yellow Starwort
Latin Name: Inula helenium
Family: Compositae
Description
This herb was used by the Greeks, Romans, early Anglo-saxons, and Celts. It was described by Pliny and Dioscorides as a herb of ancient medicinal repute. A latin quote states, "Elecampane will the spirits sustain".
Elecampane was first introduced into North America by Europeans mainly for use as a herb for healing skin diseases in animals. It also found purpose as an ingredient of cough medicines and a flavouring in sweets up to the 1920's. It is still used to this day in wines.
A robust perennial, elecampane has thick rhizomes and stout, erect stems. Leaves are pointed and toothed, up to 70cm long. Grows up to 3m high and spreads 1.5m. Has yellow daisy like flowers up to 7cm across that from mid-summer to mid-autumn. Prefers sun and moist, well drained soil.
Roots are lifted in Autumn from 2 to 3 year old plants. They are used fresh to make extracts and syrups, distilled for oil, or cut and dried for decoctions, tinctures and powders.
Ailments / Situations Where Used
Elecampane is used today as a popular rejuvenating tonic for the lungs. It is a powerful expectorant that helps to remove and clear any mucous from the lungs and is used for asthma, bronchitis, and any pulmonary condition. Some believe that if it were combined with echinacea, the resulting combination would prove deadly to the TB virus (tuberculosis).
Elecampane contains lactones -- powerful anti-bacterial and anti-fungal agents that have a tendency to expel worms. The bitter properties in Elecampane give the stomach/spleen more energy and increase their digestive abilities. It stimulates and regulates a weak digestion and increases bile flow. It is used greatly in general debility from disease, overwork, and old age, through strengthening and rejuvenating.
Externally, it has long been used for scabies, herpes, and other skin diseases, hence its old country name scabwort.
Source
Roots and rhizomes.
Preparations
Decoction: Pour 4 cups of water over 3 teaspoons of root and bring to a boil. Simmer for 10 to 15 minutes and divide into 3 doses for the day.
Syrups: Follow general directions.
Tincture: Take 10 to 30 drops in 1/4 cup of water, 3 times daily.
Combinations: For respiratory problems, combine with coltsfoot, pleurisy root, white horehound, and yarrow.
Contraindications / Precautions / Warnings
There are no known contraindications.
Ailment / Situation Listing
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