Inula helenium or Elecampane root,Barutophor inulin fructosan and the application guide Scabwort.

article content dotArticle Content:

Traditional history and uses of Elecampane root.

Elecampane Root Extract INCI Name Inula Helenium Extract CAS 84012-20-4 EINECS ELINCS No 281-666-1 photo picture image Elecampane is a robust and stately perennial plant. It was used by the early Romans, Greeks and Celts to counter the ill effects of overeating. The parts of this plant used medicinally include the root and the flower.
 Traditionally, herbalists have used this herb to treat coughs, particularly those associated with bronchitis, asthma, and whooping cough.

 Elecampane has also been used historically to treat poor digestion and general complaints of the intestinal tract. It is also good for diseases of the chest, and has great virtues in malignant fevers. It strengthens the stomach and assists digestion by inhibiting the production of phlegm that is the result of weak digestion.

 In Oriental medicine, the flowers were used in the treatment of excessive phlegm. Elecampane contains alantolactone, which helps to expel intestinal parasites, such as pinworms.

 The primary chemical constituents of Elecampane include inulin, mucilage, essential oil (azulene), lactones, alantolactone, camphor, sterols, and sesquiterpenes. The anti-tussive (cough prevention and treatment) and carminative (soothing effect on the intestinal tract) effects of Elecampane are due to its inulin and mucilage content.

 The root contains inulin, otherwise known as diabetic sugar. The root is used as an expectorant, diuretic and diaphoretic. The fresh roots preserved with sugar, or made into a syrup, helps with cough, shortness of breath, and wheezing in the lungs.

 The powdered root taken with sugar is profitable for those who have their urine stopped, for stone in the kidneys or bladder, for the stopping of women's menstrual process. The roots can be candied, and are used to flavor other sweet dishes.

 Elecampane is an aromatic stimulant and tonic, and is said to be expectorant, emmenagogue, diuretic, and diaphoretic. It is much used in chronic pulmonary affections, weakness of the digestive organs, hepatic torpor, atonic dyspepsia, with flatus, and internally and externally in tetter, itch, and other cutaneous diseases. When added to the compound syrup of spikenard, it should be exhausted by boiling alcohol, and the tincture added to the syrup, instead of boiling it with the other articles, as is usually done. The alcoholic extract, combined with powdered extract of liquorice, benzoic acid, sanguinaria, and morphine, forms a lozenge or pill very valuable in chronic catarrhal, bronchial, and all pulmonary irritations. One drop of the oil of stillingia may be added to each lozenge for bronchial and laryngeal affections. Night-sweats are relieved by inula, as are some cases of humid asthma, and, by its tonic properties, it tends to sustain the strength of the patient in chronic disorders of the respiratory tract. Helenin is accredited with a fatal action upon the tubercle bacillus by Korab, Blocq, and others. Inula is somewhat slow in action, and should be used for quite a time to get its full action. That it is an important remedy in irritation of the trachea and bronchiae is now well established. It is adapted to cases with free and abundant expectoration, teasing cough, and pain beneath the sternum, conditions frequent in la grippe, and the severer forms of colds.

 An efficient preparation is that recommended by Prof. Locke (Syllab. of Mat. Med.): Rx Elecampane, i; boiling water, 1 pint. Boil until but 8 ounces remain; add 1/2 pound of white sugar. Chronic vesical catarrh has yielded to the kindly action of elecampane. Both acute and chronic disorders may be treated with inula. It is also useful in leucorrhoea, and is especially effective in catarrhal endometritis, with discharge of glairy mucus. Dose of the powder, from 20 grains to 1 drachm; of the infusion, from 1 to 2 fluid ounces; syrup, 1 to 4 fluid drachms; specific inula, 5 to 40 drops; fluid extract, 10 to 60 drops; helenin, 1/12 to 1/4 grain. Elecampane should be restudied in reference to its action in catarrhal affections of the respiratory organs, and especially in relation to the kind of cough which is mentioned above.

Last PageNext Page

Reference:

citations1.Inula helenium or Elecampane root,Barutophor inulin fructosan and the application guide Scabwort.

last edit date:18th,June.2009.