Synonyms and Common names: Helenium grandiflorum (Gilib.), Aster officinalis (All.), Aster helenium (L.), Alant, Elfwort, Elf Dock, Velvet dock, Scabwort, Yellow starwort, wild sunflower, Elecampagne, Horseheal, Horse elder

German = Alant, French = Inule, Italian = Enula elemie

AVAILABILITY:

Elecampane is a large herbaceous perennial, indigenous to southeastern Europe and western Asia but naturalized in Britain, Ireland and the north mid-west US.

Constituents: Sesquiterpene lactones (mainly alantolactone, isoalantolactone), triterpenoid saponins, sterols (sitosterol, stigmasterol), volatile oil (helenin, including camphor, alantol, alantoic acid, alantolactone), a thymol derivative, bitter principles (possibly including dammaradienol, stigmasterol, friedlin), possible alkaloid, inulin (up to 44% in autumn and 20% in spring), resin, pectin, mucilage. On steam distillation it yields 1-3% of a crystalline mass (helenin) with a little oil containing alantol.

Preparation and Dosage: (thrice daily)

GSL Schedule 1

Dried root: 1.5-3g or by decoction

Liquid Extract: 1:1 in 25% alcohol, 1-2ml

Tincture: 1:5 in 25% alcohol, 3-5ml

Actions: Stimulating expectorant, antitussive, sedative, anthelmintic, diaphoretic, stomachic, bactericidal, antifungal, antiparasitic, relaxant, warming, tonic, alterative, diuretic.

SIDE EFFECTS: Occasional allergic reactions may occur. Inula should not be used during pregnancy or lactation.