Elecampane
Elecampane is one of the many healing herbs found in the composite or sunflower family. Like many other plants in this family, it has a bright sunny yellow flower head. The most commonly used species in Western herbalism, Inula helenium, is native to southeastern Europe and western Asia, but now grows in many temperate regions of the world, including the United States. Inula racemosa, another species of this herb that is native to India, is used in Ayurvedic medicine.
My first experiences with elecampane were with respiratory conditions. I included the root in a formula I designed for coughs and respiratory congestion in children. It is an expectorant herb with an antiseptic quality, making it a great remedy for bronchitis, pneumonia, coughs, and tuberculosis. Elecampane has a warming effect on the lungs and helps clear mucus from the chest. A gentle but effective respiratory remedy, it is very safe for both the young and the elderly. In Ayurvedic medicine it is considered a regenerative tonic for the lungs. Because of these actions Inula racemosa is one of the ingredients in Bronchial Formula (BRN-AV), a traditional Ayurvedic formula for bronchitis, cough and other respiratory problems.
Another traditional use of elecampane has been for infection. Besides being used for tuberculosis, it has also been utilized for flu, tonsillitis, colds, and yeast infections. The volatile oil contains sesquiterpene lactones which exhibit antibacterial, antifungal and antiparasitic activity. One of these sesquiterpene lactones is alantolactone, which is anti-inflammatory and immune stimulating. It also reduces mucus secretions.
The antiparasitic action of elecampane is the focus of its use in NSP formulas. Elecampane has been used to help expel worms and is particularly effective against giardia and other amoebas. Its antifungal properties also make it helpful for controlling yeast in the intestines. This is why elecampane is one of the ingredients in Caprylimune, an NSP formula designed to combat yeast infections. Elecampane is also an ingredient in Artemisa Combination, an antiparasitic formula that is included in the very effective ParaCleanse with Paw Paw package.
Inula racemosa is also an ingredient in Gastro-Health, a formula designed to combat the H. pylori bacteria, because independent research conducted by NSP discovered that this was one of the most effective herbs in inhibiting H. pylori, which is now known to cause ulcers. Gastro-Health may be helpful for combating other infectious organisms in the intestines as well.
Elecampane helps to stimulate the digestive system because of its slightly bitter qualities. It has been used for indigestion and to improve appetite. There is a strong link between the digestive tract and the respiratory passages. Both are lined with mucus membranes and constitute a first line of defense against infection. Chronic respiratory infections are often linked with intestinal inflammation, leaky gut syndrome, and yeast or parasitic infections.
A major component of this herb is inulin. In fact, inulin was first isolated from elecampane and received its name from the Latin name of the herb, although it is also present in other composite family herbs like burdock and dandelion. Inulin is a mucilaginous substance that soothes intestinal and respiratory membranes. It also serves as a food for the colon’s friendly bacteria. We now know that the friendly bacteria in the intestines help protect the body against yeast, harmful bacteria and parasites, and that this helps boost the immune system.
Although not available as a single from NSP, we are able to obtain the benefits of elecampane in formulas that match its primary actions as an infection fighter, antiparasitic, expectorant and digestive tonic.
Selected References
The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants by Andrew Chevallier
The Illustrated Herb Encyclopedia by Kathi Keville
