Elecampane

Perennial, herbaceous plant, branched and velveted, widespread throughout Europe and western Asia; grows 1 to 2 m (3 to 7 ft) tall. The plant has cylindrical, erect stalks; nodular, fleshy rhizomes; alternate leaves and yellow flowers. It blooms from May to August. The parts used are the rhizomes and roots. Elecampane has a bitter, aromatic flavor.

Elecampane is native to Asia and Europe. It has been naturalized to North America.

The herbal properties of elecampane (Inula helenium) for topical use are described as astringent and antiseptic. In the past, it was used for treating skin problems in people and animals. Its common name, scabwort, comes from the belief that it cured sheep affected with the scab. It gets its other name, horseheal, from its reputed virtues in curing skin diseases suffered by horses. elecampane’s therapeutic value is attributed to its abundant content of inulin, a polysaccharide found in plants. It can also be used to mask odor. The extract used for therapeutic purposes is preferably obtained from the root of a twoto three-year-old plant. When the plant is older, the root becomes too woody for extraction.

The dried product and its derivatives contain inulin, alantol, helenin, alantic acid and other substances.