[[File:Inula helenium.jpg|thumb|250px|left|Inula helenium]]Other Names: Alant, Aster helenium, Aster officinalis, Aunée, Elfdock, Elfwort, Helenio, Helenium grandiflorum, Horse-Elder, Horseheal, Indian Elecampane, Inula, Inula helenium, Scabwort, Velvet Dock, Wild Sunflower, Yellow Starwort., Griekse Alant<br>[[File:Elecampane.gif]]<br>There is a legend that tells how the name inula comes from Helen of Troy, whose tears turned into the healing plant known as elecampane.<br>See also :* [[Xuan Fu Hua]]
==Special Precautions of Elecampane==
Although elecampane is considered a valuable herbal remedy for many conditions, occasional * It will cause allergic reactions may occurto people who are allergic to plants belonging to the sunflower family. * Inula helenium should not be used during pregnancy. * Diabetes patients should also avoid using this herb.* Always inform your health care professional of any medications, vitamins or herbs that you are taking, and find a reputable source to ensure that your supplements are high quality.* Elecampane oil should not be confused with Inula graveolens ([[Inula Essential Oil]]); both oils have been referred to as ‘inula oil’.
==The benefits of Elecampane are==
Elecampane constituents are inulin, mucilage, volatile oil (helenin, camphor, alantol), alantoic acid, a thymol derivative, sesquiterpene lactones (including alantolactone, isoalantolactone), triterpenoid saponins, sterols, and bitter principles (possibly including dammaradienol, stigmasterol, friedlin), resin, pectin, and possible alkaloid.*Its actions are expectorant, anti-tussive, sedative, anthelmintic, diaphoretic, stomachic, antifungal, antiparasitic, relaxant, warming, tonic, alterative, diuretic and anti-bacterial.* Immune System: Thanks to the impressive antibacterial and antimicrobial qualities of Elecampane essential oil, this oil is wonderful for boosting the immune system of the body and providing a protective layer for the body against foreign invasion. When diffused in a room, Elecampane essential oil can rid your internal and external self of bacterial agents, and if topically applied, the oil can protect wounds or other high-risk spots for infection or illness.* Improve the Metabolism: As both a stimulant and tonic substance, Elecampane essential oil can significantly improve the metabolism. It stimulates hormonal balance in the body, which can help to optimize all the functions of the body, including the release of toxins or waste substances. The stimulant nature helps to increase blood flow, oxygenating parts of the body that need it most and ensuring that the organ systems are all running smoothly.
*Ancient Greeks and Romans considered elecampane as a cure-all for a broad range of ailments; it was considered a useful herbal remedy for dropsy, digestive upsets, menstrual disorders and sciatica. Elecampane was used as an herbal cold remedy and it was believed to aid digestion and to promote sweating and bring up phlegm.
*The Anglo Saxons used elecampane as a tonic and as a treatment for many skin diseases and leprosy.
*It is a traditional remedy for worms; the constituent alantolactone has been used as an anthelmintic in the treatment of roundworm, threadworm, hookworm and whipworm infestation.
*Chinese research has demonstrated a mild antibacterial action of elecampane as well as a stimulating effect on the nervous system, digestion and adrenal cortex.
*Elecampane is used as a flavoring agent in digestive liqueurs and vermuoths, it is used in candy and is often added to cough linctuses and pastilles.* [[Inulin ]] appears to lower the risk of [[Colon Cancer]], of course more research needs to be done. Please do not confuse Inulin with Insulin for they are two different things.
[[Category:Treatments]]
[[Category:herbal medicine]]
[[Category:Alterative]]
[[Category:Antimicrobial]]
[[Category:Bitter]]
[[Category:Diaphoretic]]
[[Category:Expectorant]]
[[Category:Pectoral]]
[[Category:Stomachic]]