Botanical Index No. 373

Elecampane

inula helenium

Medicinal Actions

Alterative, Anthelminthic, Antibacterial, Antidote, Antiinflammatory, Antiseptic, Antitumor, Antitussive, Cardiotonic, Carminative, Cholagogue, Choleretic, Decongestant, Diaphoretic, Digestive, Diuretic, Emmenagogue, Expectorant, Fungicide, Hyperglycemic, Hypoglycemic, Hypotensive, Immunostimulant, Irritant, Laxative, Mucoirritant, Myorelaxant, Paralytic, Parasiticide, Sedative, Stomachic, Thrombogenic, Tonic, Colic

Primary Conditions Treated

Aperitif Demulcent Vermifuge Amenorrhea Anorexia Arthrosis Asthma Bacteria Bronchosis Cancer Candida Cardiopathy Catarrh Cholera Cold Congestion Constipation Cough Cramp Dermatosis Diabetes Diarrhea Dropsy Dysmenorrhea Dysentery Dyspepsia Dysuria Emphysema Enterosis Erysipelas Exanthema Fever Fungus Gas Gastrosis Gravel Headache Hemorrhoid Hepatosis High Blood Pressure Hyperglycemia Hypoglycemia Immunodepression Infection Inflammation Insomnia Jaundice Mycosis Nausea Nephrosis Nervousness Otosis Parasite Pertussis Plethora Pulmonosis Respirosis Rheumatism Scabies Side Ache Staphylococcus Stone Syphilis Toothache Tracheosis Tuberculosis Tumor Ulcer UTI VD Water Retention Worm Wound

General Dosage

0.25 tsp powdered root/cup water; 2–4 g powdered root; 1–2 tbsp fresh root; 2–3 g dry root; 3 g dry root:20 ml alcohol/10 ml water; 0.5–2 g root, several ×/day; 1.5–4 g root as tea 3 ×/day; 1.5–4 ml liquid root extract 3 ×/day; 300 mg alantolactone for 2 courses of 5 days with an interval of 10 days; 1 tsp in cold or hot tea; 20- to 40-drop tincture for cholera; 1 g in tea/day; 2–4 ml liquid extract.

Safety & Contraindications

Class 2b, 2c. Elecampane is reportedly dermatitigenic; allergic contact dermatosis is possible. Can cause diarrhea, vomiting, spasm, and symptoms of paralysis. Not approved by Commission E, KOM, or PH2. Not for use during pregnancy or nursing. Commission E reports roots are not permitted for therapeutic use; usefulness not adequately documented. CAN cautions that sesquiterpene lactones, especially alantolactone, can be allergenic and irritant. Alantolactone is bound as a hapten to the skin proteins. May interfere with blood pressure and blood sugar therapies.

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