Practical
Plants

Inula helenium

Elecampane

a perennial member of the Inula genus in the family Compositae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Genus
Inula
Life cycle
perennial
Height
1.5 m
Spread
1 m
Fertility
Self fertile, Bees, Lepidoptera, Self
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Bees, Lepidoptera, Self

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Leaves - cooked. Rather bitter and aromatic[4], they were used as a potherb by the ancient Romans[6] but are rarely used at present. Root - candied and eaten as a sweetmeat[15][18][14][2][6]. It contains up to 44% inulin[16][11]. Inulin is a starch that cannot be digested by humans. It usually passes straight through the digestive system, though it can ferment and cause wind problems for some people[K]. Inulin can be converted into a sugar that is suitable for diabetics to eat[10].

Plant part
Leaves
Plant part
Root

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Elecampane has a long history of use as a medicinal herb. A gently warming and tonic herb, it is especially effective in treating coughs, consumption, bronchitis and many other complaints of the chest as well as disorders of the digestive system[15][19][13]. A very safe herb to use, it is suitable for the old and the young and especially useful when the patient is debilitated[13]. It cleanses toxins from the body, stimulating the immune and digestive systems and treating bacterial and fungal infections[10]. The root is alterative, anthelmintic, antiseptic, astringent, bitter, cholagogue, demulcent, diaphoretic, diuretic, mildly expectorant, gently stimulant, stomachic, tonic[4, 7, 9, 21, 46. 165, 200, 218, 222]. It is best harvested in the autumn from plants that are two years old, and it can be dried for later use[15]. The roots should be at least 3 years old according to another report[18]. This remedy should not be prescribed for pregnant women[10]. An extract of the plant is a powerful antiseptic and bactericide, particularly effective against the organism that causes TB[8][10]. The root contains alantolactone, which is strongly anthelmintic. In a 1:1000 dilution it kills the parasitic worm Ascaris in 16 hours[9]. Alantolactone has an anti-inflammatory action, it also reduces mucous secretions and stimulates the immune system[13]. The plant is sometimes recommended as an external wash for skin inflammations and varicose ulcers, but has been known to cause allergic reactions[10].

Product or use
Alterative
Product or use
Anthelmintic
Product or use
Antiseptic
Product or use
Antitussive
Product or use
Astringent
Product or use
Bitter
Product or use
Cholagogue
Product or use
Demulcent
Product or use
Diaphoretic
Product or use
Diuretic
Product or use
Expectorant
Product or use
Stimulant
Product or use
Stomachic
Product or use
Tonic

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

A blue dye is obtained from the bruised and macerated root mixed with ashes and whortleberries (Vaccinium myrtillus)[15][16][17]. The root yields up to 2% of a camphor-scented essential oil, this is used as a flavouring and medicinally[16][17][10].

Product or use
Dye
Product or use
Essential

Environment

Range
S.E. Europe. Naturalized in Britain.
Habitat
Fields, waysides, waste places, copses etc[5], often on moist soils in shade[15].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 5+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Tolerances
high wind
Wind
Yes
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - sow in spring or autumn in a cold frame[15]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer. If you have sufficient seed, it could be worthwhile trying an outdoor sowing in situ in the spring. Division in spring or autumn[3]. Fairly small pieces of root can be used, so long as each piece has a growth bud on it[15]. Very easy, larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the spring. Root cuttings in winter. Cut sections of root about 5cm long, place them in a warm greenhouse over the winter and they should grow away vigorously[15].

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

An easily grown plant, it grows well in moist shady positions in ordinary garden soil, though it grows best in a good loamy soil[15]. Succeeds in an ordinary garden soil in a sunny position[1]. Plants are also tolerant of considerable neglect, succeeding on our Cornwall trial ground even when left unweeded for four years[K]. Elecampane has a long history of cultivation as a medicinal herb, though it is not commonly grown nowadays[15]. When first dug up, the roots smell like ripe bananas, but as they dry they take on the scent of violets[12].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

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  2. Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00

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  3. Sanders. T. W. Popular Hardy Perennials. Collingridge 1926-00-00

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  4. Johnson. C. P. The Useful Plants of Great Britain.

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  5. Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00

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  6. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩1↩2

  7. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

  8. Weiner. M. A. Earth Medicine, Earth Food. Ballantine Books 1980-00-00 ISBN 0-449-90589-6

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  9. Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-917256-20-4

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  10. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  11. Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. 1986-00-00

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  12. Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994-00-00 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8

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  13. Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London 1996-00-00 ISBN 9-780751-303148

    ↩1↩2↩3

  14. Vilmorin. A. The Vegetable Garden. Ten Speed Press ISBN 0-89815-041-8

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  15. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8↩9↩10

  16. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  17. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

    ↩1↩2

  18. Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-356-10541-5

    ↩1↩2

  19. Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn 1981-00-00 ISBN 0-600-37216-2

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