{"id":3829,"date":"2022-05-19T11:04:34","date_gmt":"2022-05-19T16:04:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/medicinalherbals.net\/?p=3829"},"modified":"2024-01-07T11:33:38","modified_gmt":"2024-01-07T16:33:38","slug":"elecampane","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/medicinalherbals.net\/elecampane\/","title":{"rendered":"Elecampane Root (Inula Helenium): Can it benefit the lungs?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
Elecampane (Inula helenium L<\/em>.) belongs to the Asteraceae or Compositae family [1][2][3][4]<\/sup>. It has many names like elf dock, horse heal, elf wort, wild sunflower, yellow starwort, scab wort, inula, velvet dock, Elephant\u2019s ear, and horse elder [2][3]<\/sup>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Our society knows the plant for its abundant beneficial roots and rhizomes [2][3]<\/sup>. Early writings suggest Elecampane comes from Old English ‘elene’ from Latin enula<\/em> (genus) and Latin campanus <\/em>which means ‘field.’ The specific epithet helenium<\/em> is supposedly a direct reference to Helen of Troy [13][14][15]<\/sup>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This plant is native to Europe and Western Asia and has reached some regions of North America [4]<\/sup>. It is a non-woody biennial and perennial plant [2]<\/sup>, hence may germinate, grow, and live up to over two years [1][2]<\/sup>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Elecampane grows up to 2 meters tall and thrives well in open woodlands, grasslands, and damp pastures [2][3]<\/sup>.The plant has tooth-shaped leaves and small yellow daisy-like flowers [1][2][3]<\/sup>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The ancient Greeks and Romans [11]<\/sup> cultivated and widely used Elecampane as a medicinal plant for indigestion and skin infections [4][5][6]<\/sup>. The herb became famous as a diuretic drug in other European countries, while the natives in America used them to treat lung ailments. [4][5]<\/sup>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Earliest civilization further shows the benefits of Elecampane, concentrating its usage on the plant’s dried roots and rhizomes [6][7][9]<\/sup>.They value aromatic tonics and concoctions from the plant to stimulate and improve the human body system [4][6][8]<\/sup>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Elecampane has a long recorded history of being an essential plant [7][9]<\/sup>. Western civilization traditionally uses it as medicine to treat respiratory-related diseases. Elecampane performs as an antimicrobial and stimulant and is still popular today with people interested in natural remedies [4][9][10]<\/sup>. Elecampane is also used to flavor sweets and candies [6][9]<\/sup>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Essential elements [7][14][20]<\/sup> of Elecampane are inulin, helenanin, helenin, sesquiterpene lactones (including alantolactone and isoalantolactone), phytosterol, B and y- sitosterol, friedelin, alantic acid, and azulin [23]<\/sup>. All these diverse compounds contribute to the effectiveness of this herbal plant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Elecampane is a well-known natural remedy and antiseptic [9]<\/sup> for asthma, bronchitis, pneumonia [20]<\/sup>, sinusitis and cough [5][6][7]<\/sup>. When infused with other herbal plants, this herb can improve coughing conditions by soothing the irritation and inflammation of the lungs and throat [9][17][18]<\/sup>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Phytochemicals [11]<\/sup> work as an expectorant [7][9]<\/sup>. Elecampane thins and loosens mucus<\/a> in the airways, cleansing the congestion symptoms, and making breathing more comfortable [9]<\/sup>. Europeans historically used Elecampane for treating tuberculosis bacillus<\/em> that causes the disease [12][19]<\/sup>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Elecampane also contains sesquiterpene lactones which have calming and antioxidant properties vital for treating bacterial respiratory infections [7]<\/sup>. This natural compound boosts the human immune system and helps repair cells damaged by harmful microbes [11][24]<\/sup>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Looking for other types of herbs for respiratory health? Read about Mullein<\/a> and Osha Root<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Researchers have investigated the bioactive compounds in selected species of pathogenic bacteria and fungi [22][23]<\/sup>. Studies showed that extracted ethanol from Elecampane cultivar roots significantly displayed antimicrobial activity for 8 out of 9 microorganisms [23]<\/sup>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Another recent study conducted a phytochemical analysis of elecampane roots [23]<\/sup>. Researchers confirmed Elecampane can work against harmful pathogens [23]<\/sup> and alantolactone has a great potential in treating gram-positive bacteria that cause diseases in the lungs and skin [22]<\/sup>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Researchers similarly observed the inhibitory effects of Elecampane against fungi. A 2014 finding showed the complete inhibition of a fungal enzyme when tested in the presence of Elecampane roots [26]<\/sup>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This information strongly supports why the historic times used creams from Elecampane for relieving skin irritations [4][9]<\/sup> and wounds of horses and livestock [19][20]<\/sup>. Even Hippocrates used Elecampane to treat chronic skin rashes, itching, and pain from animal bites [11][13][15]<\/sup>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\nElecampane Root Benefits and Uses<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Improve respiratory health<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Antimicrobial, Antibacterial and Antifungal <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n