Elecampane (Inula helenium)

Traditional use

Traditionally, elecampane was used for digestive issues, from intestinal parasites to stagnant digestion. It was also reported to protect users from ‘elf-shot’, an ancient/medieval category for diseases of unknown cause, including coughs stemming from tension and grief.

Clinical Discussion

Elecampane is a lung herb. It is an aromatic, pungent, warming, bitter herb used for productive, wet coughs for cutting through and bringing up mucus. When excess mucus affects all of the upper respiratory tract, such as sinusitis and earaches, it is also helpful for treating children. Because it is bitter, it is also digestive, and so where there are digestive issues due to overproduction of phlegm or coughs due to digestive problems, this is an ideal remedy. The traditional use of protecting from ‘elf-shot’ is theorised by some herbalists as being a description of chronic fatigue, where elf arrows are draining energy. Elecampane is now used to support chronic fatigue, which may be the reason for the old terminology. It is also considered suitable for supporting gut flora because it is high in inulin, like dandelion.

Cultivation/Harvesting

Elecampane is a hardy perennial that prefers deep, well-drained soil in full sun to partial shade. It grows tall and stately, often over 1.5 metres, and thrives in herb gardens and meadow edges.

For medicinal use, harvest the roots from plants that are at least three years old. This allows time for the roots to fully develop their aromatic, resin-rich compounds. Carefully dig around the plant in autumn, when the aerial parts have died back and the plant's energy has returned to the root.

You can take the thick lateral roots for drying and replant the crown or central root to continue growing. Wash roots thoroughly and dry at a low temperature to preserve volatile oils.