Elecampane

Scientific Name: Inula helenium
Family: Asteracae
Also Known As: Elecampagne, 土木香 (tŭ mù xiāng), Horse-heal, marchalan, scabwort, wild sunflower, elf dock, enula
Origin: English name comes from Helen of Troy… not sure where plant originates from
Source: Koanga Institute seeds: Perennial flowering herb that has stunning daisy like yellow flowers loved by the bees but at year two the sweetly aromatic roots can be dug up and dried and then used to make a steam bath to sooth croup and whooping cough and asthma.

  • 07.02.2010 Planted seeds in peat pots on kitchen windowsill. Looking forward to planting this around tomatoes in the garden.

  • Elecampane on Wikipedia
  • Forgotten Herbs: They May Not Be Sexy, but They Are Effective: Elecampane (Inula helenium) is rich in inulin, the indigestible (by us) starch that is ambrosia to healthy flora. It is like spreading fertilizer on a rain forest to our flora…. Inulin is extracted from the root of elecampane by soaking it overnight in water and then bringing it to a boil. This is immediately reduced to a very low simmer which is maintained for a couple hours. The resultant liquid is fertilizer for your healthy flora. It will help with regularity, digestion, elimination and irritable bowel conditions.
  • Seed and Plant Sanctuary for Canada:Elecampane is a striking robust perennial that grows from 4-6 feet and that can exceed 8 feet in good soil. The basal leaves are 10-18 inches long and about 4 inches across. The leaf stems can add an additional foot to the length of the leaves. The leaves are rough above and covered with soft, velvety white hairs below. The leaves become smaller as they move up the stem until the upper leaves clasp the stalks with their heart-shaped bases. Long slender ray flowers project out from bright golden flower heads, up to 4 inches in diameter. Flower heads are somewhat sparse. The root is large and fleshy, about 6 inches long and an inch or two thick, with lateral rootlets 6 to 12 inches long. Flowering is from May to August. Dried root preparations quiet coughing. Immune system booster. Stomach toner.
  • Elecampagne root as tonic in India
  • Elecampane on botanical.com
  • Elecampane: Herb of the Week on thedance.com
  • Elecampane PlantFiles at Dave’s Garden