Dorothy FarrarHowever Alan
The elecampane , with the botanical name Inula helenium, comes from the daisy family. The plant was already used as a spice and medicinal plant in ancient times. The real elecampane originated in Asia.
Definition and Occurrence
The real elecampane is a perennial shrub that can reach a height of up to two meters. The stems of the plant are hairy and branch out at the top. The shape of the leaves is oblong and elliptical.
The large leaves of the elecampane are weakly serrated and have felt-like hairs on the underside of the leaf.
The elecampane flowers in yellow to yellowish-brown basket flowers between July and August. A single root can grow up to half a meter long.
The roots of elecampane exude a banana scent when fresh , while when dried they smell of violets. The exact origin of the real elecampane lies in Asia Minor and Central Asia. The plant is also native to Spain.
Today it is cultivated in numerous other areas, including Germany, Holland and the Balkans. The ideal location for the real elecampane is moist and partially shaded.
Ingredients, effect and dosage
The rhizome of the elecampane contains the active ingredients inulin, sesquiterpene lactones and essential oil . The main component of this oil, which is also known under the name helenin, is the so-called alantolactone. The combination of these active ingredients can be used, for example, to relieve coughs or complaints of the lower respiratory tract. In particular, due to the proportion of essential oils, elecampane has an expectorant effect and helps to clear the respiratory tract.It also makes it easier to cough up mucus, for example when you have a cold. Coughing is also reduced and cramps that can arise from coughing are released more easily. In addition, the real elecampane also has an anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effect. This also supports the healing process in case of cough or bronchitis. The same effect makes elecampane a suitable wound healing agent, as it inhibits inflammation and has an antiseptic effect.
The real elecampane also has numerous positive effects on digestion and metabolism. For this reason, it is also suitable for the supportive treatment of various complaints in the digestive process. It should be noted that the real elecampane must not be taken in large quantities, otherwise side effects can occur. These can manifest themselves in the form of diarrhea , vomiting, cramps or even paralysis . External use of elecampane can cause irritation of the mucous membranes due to the sesquiterpene lactones contained in the plant .
The real elecampane is most commonly taken as a tea. For the correct dosage of elecampane tea, about 250 milliliters of boiling water is poured over a teaspoon of elecampane root and left to steep for ten minutes. The tea is then strained and drunk slowly in small sips. One to three cups of this alanide tea can be taken per day. However, before taking it for the first time, it should be considered that elecampane can lead to allergic reactions both when used externally and internally .
What does the real elecampane help against?
importance to health
For internal use, elecampane can be used in the form of teas or tinctures. It can provide relief, especially against coughs and general respiratory problems. It can be used as part of the treatment for both common cold cough and bronchitis in both acute and chronic forms. Traditionally, elecampane was also used to treat diseases such as whooping cough, pneumonia or even tuberculosis.
Nowadays, the real elecampane should only be used to accompany and support conventional medical therapy in the case of such serious illnesses. Its effect against various digestive problems such as stomach problems, flatulence or bile weakness is remarkable. In antiquity and the Middle Ages this was the focus of its application. Today, however, elecampane is used far more in the treatment of coughs and respiratory problems than in diseases of the digestive organs.
External use of elecampane is primarily possible through elecampane tea or diluted tinctures. Baths, ablutions or poultices can be used for this purpose. When used in this way, elecampane can provide relief from a wide variety of skin infections, such as eczema, ulcers, or poorly healing wounds.For envelopes with genuine elecampane, a piece of cotton fabric is soaked with elecampane tea and applied to the affected area of skin for hours or overnight.
Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.