Elecampane
Elecampane, Inula helenium, also called horse-heal or elfdock, is a widespread plant species in the sunflower family Asteraceae. It is native to Eurasia from Spain to Xinjiang Province in western China, and naturalized in parts of North America.
Asteraceae
Asteraceae or Compositae is a very large and widespread family of flowering plants. The family currently has 32,913 accepted species names, in 1,911 genera and 13 subfamilies. In terms of numbers of species, the Asteraceae are rivaled only by the Orchidaceae.. Nearly all members be…
Where does elecampane come from?
Jump to navigation Jump to search. Elecampane (/ˌɛlɪkæmˈpeɪn/), Inula helenium, also called horse-heal or elfdock, is a widespread plant species in the sunflower family Asteraceae. It is native to Europe and Asia from Spain to Xinjiang Province in western China, and naturalized in parts of North America.
Does elecampane self seed?
While many other rhizomatous plants are aggressive spreaders, elecampane is more subdued and rarely becomes invasive. In ideal conditions, it can self-seed and grow new plants from fallen seeds. If desired, you can divide large plants every few years.
Does elecampane flower the first year?
The plant typically will not flower its first year, but from the second season on, it should have robust blooms from early summer through early fall. Elecampane needs some room to grow and should be planted 12 to 30 inches apart. It is easy to grow from seed and can be divided once mature.
How to care for elecampane plant?
Elecampane Care 1 Light. Elecampane grows best in part shade but will tolerate full sun. 2 Soil. Soil conditions for elecampane do not need to be precise, provided the soil is well-drained. ... 3 Water. Water as needed to keep the soil moist but not wet. ... 4 Temperature and Humidity. ... 5 Fertilizer. ...
See more
Where does elecampane grow wild?
Habitat: It grows most often in rich, moist, well-drained calcareous soils and prefers sun-light to partial shade locations. It can be found along roadsides, open woodlands, grasslands, fields, meadows and damp pastures. Distribution: This species is reported from states shaded on Plants Database map.
What zone does elecampane grow in?
Zones 3–7How to Grow ElecampaneBotanical NameInula heleniumSoil pH6.5–7.5 (neutral)Bloom TimeSummer to fallFlower ColorYellowHardiness Zones3–7 (USDA)6 more rows•Jul 22, 2021
Where is elecampane found?
Elecampane (Inula helenium), pronounced /ˌɛlɪkæmˈpeɪn/ and also called horse-heal or elfdock, is a widespread plant species in the sunflower family Asteraceae. It is native to Eurasia from Spain to Xinjiang province in western China, and naturalized in parts of North America.
What does elecampane do for lungs?
Elecampane is an herb. The root is used to make medicine. Elecampane is used for lung diseases including asthma, bronchitis, and whooping cough. It is also used to prevent coughing, especially coughing caused by tuberculosis; and as an expectorant to help loosen phlegm, so it can be coughed up more easily.
What part of elecampane is edible?
Edible Parts Leaves and roots are edible. The leaves are better off cooked that raw as they are bitter. The roots contain up to 44% inulin so for some, this many cause gas. If thinly sliced, the roots can be candied.
Should I deadhead elecampane?
Grows easily in sun to part shade in most soils. Easily self sows, so deadheading is advisable.
Why is elecampane called horse heal?
Its name 'Scabwort' arose from the fact that a decoction of it is said to cure sheep affected with the scab, and the name 'Horse-heal' was given it from its reputed virtues in curing the cutaneous diseases of horses.
What does elecampane taste like?
If you're also sick with lung crud, Elecampane is the herb for you! But before we talk about the why, let's just get this right out in the open: Elecampane tastes like peppery mud. There's no point in adding honey, that literally only makes it worse.
What is another name for elecampane?
Other common names for elecampane are elfwort, elfdock, scabwort, horseheal, and yellow starwort. People have also used elecampane root as a flavoring agent for foods and beverages, as well as a fragrance in soaps and cosmetic products.
What are the side effects of elecampane?
When taken by mouth Elecampane is POSSIBLY SAFE for most adults when taken by mouth in amounts used in medicines. In larger amounts, elecampane is POSSIBLY UNSAFE. Large amounts of elecampane can cause vomiting, diarrhea, spasms, and paralysis.
Is elecampane a stimulant?
Elecampane was cultivated and consumed for centuries throughout the Middle Ages as a medicinal plant, as an aromatic tonic, and stimulant of the secretory organs for coughs, particularly those associated with bronchitis, asthma and whopping cough, and as a condiment early as the Middle Ages (Michael, 1987; Leung and ...
How do you take elecampane for a cough?
Elecampane TeaBoil a quart of water in a saucepan.When it comes to a boil, add 2 tablespoons of dried elecampane root.Turn down to a simmer and do so for 20 minutes.Add honey to taste. Honey heals and soothes as well.Add a splash of lemon juice as well if you have it.Strain and drink your natural cough remedy.
What is elecampane root used for?
Elecampane is an herb. The root is used to make medicine. Elecampane is used for conditions such as asthma, bronchitis, intestinal worms, and many others, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. In foods and beverages, elecampane is used to provide flavor.
When should I start elecampane indoors?
Start elecampane seeds indoors. If you're planning on germinating your plants in the early spring before the last frost of the season, sow your seeds indoors on a tray with a thin layer of topsoil. Germination should take about two weeks. You can also start your seeds outside so long as the last frost has passed.
Can I use elecampane leaves?
Harvesting elecampane flowers and leaves The leaves, flowers, and roots of this plant can all be harvested for herbal use. All parts of elecampane can be dried on screens and saved to use later. If you are drying roots, cut them into thin slices so they dry quickly.
How do you grow Inula?
Inula plants need plenty of space to grow, well drained soil and a sunny location. They are tolerant of a range of soil types, but avoid heavy clay soils which do not drain well. Prune back the plants in early spring to remove the dead stems from winter. Inula have few pests and disease problems.
Overview
Elecampane (Inula helenium), pronounced /ˌɛlɪkæmˈpeɪn/ and also called horse-heal or elfdock, is a widespread plant species in the sunflower family Asteraceae. It is native to Eurasia from Spain to Xinjiang province in western China, and naturalized in parts of North America.
Description
Elecampane is a rather rigid herb, the stem of which attains a height of about 90–150 cm (35–59 in). The leaves are large and toothed, the lower ones stalked, the rest embracing the stem; blades egg-shaped, elliptical, or lance-shaped, as big as 30 cm (12 in) long and 12 cm (4.7 in) wide. Leaves are green on the upper side with light, scattered hairs, but whitish on the underside because of a thick layer of wool. The flower heads up to 5 cm (2 inches) broad, each head conta…
Folklore and Traditional Uses
The plant's specific name, helenium, derives from Helen of Troy; elecampane is said to have sprung up from where her tears fell. It was sacred to the ancient Celts, and once had the name "elfwort". The plant traditionally was held to be associated with the elves and fairy folk.
Nicholas Culpeper considered elecampane to be ruled by Mercury and used it to warm a cold and windy stomach, to resist poison, to strengthen sight, and to clear internal blockages.
Uses
The herb has been used since Ancient Greek times. Theophrastus recommended using the plant in oil and wine to treat the bites of vipers, spiders and pine caterpillars in his Historia Plantarum.
In Roman times, Apicius, a cookbook from the 1st century AD, describes it as a plant for testing whether honey is spoilt or not, the plant is immersed in the honey and then lit, if it burns brightly the honey is considered fine. The root was mentioned by Pliny in his Natural History both as a medicin…
Chemical constituents
Besides the storage polysaccharide inulin (C6H12O6[C6H10O5]n), a polymer of fructose, the root contains helenin (C15H20O2), a phytochemical compound consisting of alantolactone and isoalantolactone. Helenin is a stearoptene, which may be prepared in white acicular crystals, insoluble in water, but freely soluble in alcohol. When freed from the accompanying inula-camphor by repeated crystallization from alcohol, helenin melts at 110 °C.
External links
• Elecampane at Plants for a Future
• Elecampane from Maud Grieve, A Modern Herbal
• photo of herbarium specimen at Missouri Botanical Garden, collected in Missouri in 1933