Inula, Elecampane

Also called Enulae Campane, Helenii

Inula racemosa

Rasan (Unani)
Pushkar (Ayurveda)
Ma Nu  མ་ནུ  (Tibetan)
Tu Mu Xiang (TCM)
Turners Herbal, 1551

Krauterbuch, Lonitzer, 1578
Kurtzes Handtbuchlein, Ryff, 1599

Fuchs, L., New Kreüterbuch (1543)

ELECAMPANE ROOT
1, Longitudinally furrowed surface. 2, Stem scar. 3, Cut
surface of the rhizome. 4. Resinous cut surface.
Squibb's Atlas of the Official Drugs, Mansfield, 1919
Botanical name:
Inula spp.
Two main species are used:
  1. I. helenium (Europe)
  2. I. racemosa is used very similarly in Ayurveda and Tibetan Medicine

Parts used:
Root

Temperature & Taste:
Warm, dry. Sweet, a little Bitter and Pungent
opens, cleanses, discusses

Classifications:
2B ATTENUATERS.    2G. CLEANSING.    2H. CARMINATIVES.    2M. DRAWING.    2Q. ANODYNE.    2S. STRENGTHENING
3C. ALEXIPHARMICS.    3D. CORDIALS & CARDIACS.    3F. LITHONTRIPTIC.    3K. EXPECTORANT.    3L. ANTI-TUSSIVE.    3M. ARTHRITICS
4b. OPTHALMICS.    4c. CARDIAC.    4d. PECTORAL.    4e. STOMACHIC.    4f. SPLENETIC.    4g. HEPATIC.    4j. NERVINES.    4k. ARTHRITIC
ADVERTISEMENT:
Uses:
1. Benefits the Stomach and Spleen, clears Damp, Tonifies Qi:
-strengthens Stomach and digestion

2. Clears Cold Phlegm, Stops Cough, strengthens the Lungs:
-Cough, Asthma, shortness of Breath

3. Resists Poison, promotes Sweat:
-infectious and epidemic diseases, both to prevent and cure

4. Clears Damp, Promotes Urine:
-Edema, water retention

5. Moves the Blood, Promotes Menstruation:
-delayed or scanty Menstruation

6. Clears Wind-Damp, Stops Spasms, Benefits Sinews:
-Cramps, Convulsions

7. Externally:
-externally for Scabs, Itch, Herpes
-old Ulcers, Herpes etc.
-fastens the Teeth if the root is chewed.
-topically to the joints to tighten loose ligaments, strengthen the joints, and to help remove their pain. Galen used it for joints prone to dislocation.
-applied to Sciatica and Hemicrania

NOTE:
The preserved Root is a greater tonic, increases Qi and benefits Digestion. It is better for deficiency and chronic diseases of the Lungs and Kidneys; Consumption, lower body weakness, Night Sweats etc.

Main Combinations:
Elecampane & Licorice

1. Asthma:
i. Elecampane with  ... available in PRO version
ii. Tincture Against Asthma, Elecampane with  ... available in PRO version
iii. Elecampane with  ... available in PRO version
iv. Elecampane with  ... available in PRO version
2. Bronchitis, Elecampane with  ... available in PRO version
3. Whooping Cough, combine Elecampane with Thyme
4. Lung deficiency, Cough, Asthma:
i. Elecampane with  ... available in PRO version
ii. Elecampane with  ... available in PRO version
5. Persistent Cough, Elecampane with  ... available in PRO version
6. Pectoral Elixir, Elecampane with  ... available in PRO version
7. Hernia, Elecampane with Rue (School of Salerno)
8. Spleen Yang and Qi deficiency, Elecampane with  ... available in PRO version
9. Kidney Yang Deficiency, back pain, impotence, Leukorrhea etc:
i. Elecampane with  ... available in PRO version
ii. Elecampane with  ... available in PRO version
10. Promote Menstruation:
i. Elecampane with  ... available in PRO version
ii. Elecampane with  ... available in PRO version
11. Paralysis:
i. Elecampane with  ... available in PRO version
12. Herpes, Elecampane as an ointment with  ... available in PRO version

Major Formulas
Decoction of Elecampane and Rue
Decoction of Horehound
Decoction to Strengthen the Lungs
Syrup for Asthma (Wirtzung)
Powder of Cinnamon Compound (Mesue)
Electuary of Clove and Costus (Caryocostinum)
Electuary for Paralysis (Wirtzung)
Electuary which is Remarkably Effective
Antidote for Cold Kidneys and to Excite Libido (Nicholas)
Tincture Against Asthma


Cautions:
1. Used cautiously during Pregnancy.

Main Preparations used:
Candied and Conserved root, Distilled Water, Extract of the Root and a Wine
History
'The plant was known to the ancient writers on agriculture and natural history, and even the Roman poets were acquainted with it, and mention Inula as affording a root used both as a medicine and  a condiment. Vegetius Renatus, about the beginning of the 5th century, calls it Inula Campana, and St. Isidore in the beginning of the 7th names it as Inula, adding—"quam Alum rustici vocant." It is
frequently mentioned in the Anglo-Saxon writings on medicine current in England prior to the Norman Conquest; it is also the "marchalan" of the Welsh Physicians of the 13th century and was generally well known during the middle ages. Not only was its root much employed as a medicine, but it was also candied and eaten as a sweetmeat'. (Pharmacographia, Fluckiger & Hanbury, 1879)