Elecampane Root, Inula Helenum, Certified Organic from Hungary
Traditional medicinal applications:
Elecampane has been used as a medicine since antiquity. Pliny recommends the root in an aromatic wine to help coughs while Dioscorides speaks of Oinos nektarites, a wine in which elecampane is macerated.
Modern herbalists value Elecampane root as a warming tonic, stimulating digestion and the urinary and menstrual flow.
The main benefit is the warming effect on the lungs and gentle expectorant, mucus clearing action, beneficial for bronchial asthma, bronchitis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Elecampane root has natural antibiotic and anti-inflammatory properties supporting it's healing activity in lung infections. Clinical trials have demonstrated that elecampane root contains strong antibacterial constituents and it is particularly effective against staphylococci. (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20095126/)
Administration:
The root is made into decoction and sweetened with honey. Too many cups of Elecampane may cause nausea and have other adverse effects. Use as a complementary beverage only as needed.
Caution:
Elecampane belongs to a family of plants known to cause allergic reaction to sensitive individuals and is best to be avoided in the presence of asthma. Elecampane may interact with prescription drugs. Due to lack of research, elecampane is no recommended for use by pregnant or nursing mothers.
