Inula helenium
(Elecampane)

Therapeutic Actions:

• Antibacterial
• Antifungal
• Antihelmintic in animal studies
• Anti-inflammatory
• Bitter tonic
• Carminative
• Diaphoretic
• Diuretic
• Emmenagogue
• Expectorant
• Hypotensive in animal studies
• Immune stimulant
• Increases bile flow
• Tonifying to the lungs and digestive system
• Sedative in animal studies
• Strengthens and cleansesto the respiratory tract mucous membranes

Clinical Indications:

• Asthma
• Bronchitis
• Herpes simplex, externally
• Peptic ulcer
• Coughs, especially irritating bronchial coughs in children
• Emphysema
• Scabies, externally
• Silicosis
• Sinusitis
• Tuberculosis

Contraindications:

• Hypersensitive individuals may develop contact dermatitis when touching elecampane
• Pregnancy

Drug/Nutrient Interaction:

• Limited data

Chemical Constituents:

• Inulin
• Resin
• Sterols
• Volatile oil containing:
  
  Alamtolactone (also known as helenalin or elecampane camphor)
  Alantic acid
  Azulene
  Isoalantolactone and its dihydro derivatives
  Sesquiterpene lactones

Toxicity:

• Large doses may cause:
  
  Diarrhea
  Gastric spasms
  Symptoms of paralysis
  Vomiting

Copyright 1998 - 2008 by L. Vicky Crouse, ND and James S. Reiley, ND. All rights reserved (ISSN 1527-0661).