Aid in the treatment of Respiratory Infections and other health benefits of Elecampane Tea
Elecampane Root - Inula helenium L.
Origin: China
Used part: Root
Description:
Emula campana, scientific name inula helenum, is a plant that belongs to the family of composts that can reach 120 cm in height. The plant, also popularly known as inula, has hermaphrodite flowers and small, with yellowish white coloration and full petals. Its growth occurs by means of wrapping of velvety leaves. Its root is thick, forked and mucilaginous, and should be harvested and cut into pieces to dry in the sun.
The plant can also be known as helenium and grass weed and can be found mainly in rocky regions from Britain, through the center and southern Europe and the Middle East, to the Himalayan region. Its flavor is quite bitter, with camphor smell. The plant, according to a legend, was carried in the form of bouquet by Helen of Troy, when it was kidnapped by Paris and taken from Phrygia. The name, for some, however, is due to Helena Island, where the plant grows very viscous. Planting can be done, but preferably in damp pastures and shady places, growing commonly in the margin of roads, ditches and abandoned fields.
Health benefits:
The plant, from ancient times, was used for medicinal purposes, being an excellent aromatic and stimulating tonic of the secretory organs. Although not widely used today, it can be used to treat dry, irritable cough, or even wet catarrhal cough. With its antibacterial action, the plant disinfects the lungs, so that the mucus is more fluid. It can also be used to treat convalescence, acting on the digestive and respiratory system, recovering vitality and improving appetite.
It can also be used to fight intestinal worms and parasites, as well as being a great natural remedy for treating catarrhal bronchitis, sciatic pain and neuralgia. Its properties involve its action as stimulant, antidysenteric, sudorific, antiseptic, tonic, antibiotic, diuretic, vermifuge, sedative, choleretic and emetic. In addition to the benefits already mentioned, the distilled water made with the plant and its roots helps to remove blemishes from the skin.
The plant has a bitter active principle which is known as helenina, in addition to volatile oils inulenin, mucilages, among others, being widely used in the formula of various medicines. When transformed into fructose form, it is used in the preparation of a bread prepared for diabetics.
Good Herbal Remedy:
- Antiseptic
- Expectorant
- Diaphoretic
- Bitter tonic
- Carminative
- Antiparasitic
- Anti-inflammatory
- Immunomodulating
- Diuretic
- Alterative
- Emmenagogue
- Tonifying to the lungs and digestive system
- Strengthening and cleansing to the respiratory tract mucous membranes
Directions:
- Put 2 tbsp to a quart of water
- Let it cook for 10 minutes from the moment it starts to boil
- Remove from heat and let stand, covered, for 10 minutes
- Strain and is ready for use
How to Drink:
Take 2 to 3 cups a day.
Its use is applied in traditional medicine, but also in the manufacture of alcoholic beverages, such as absinthe, in France and Switzerland, for example.
In Germany, it used to be used to make a wine used to treat the weakness of the stomach. In Alsace, it is consumed the maceration of the root of cone bell.
Contraindications:
Taking elecampane along with sedative medications might cause too much sleepiness. Large doses may cause vomiting, diarrhea, gastric spasms and symptoms of paralysis and allergic hypersensitivity. It is contraindicated in pregnancy and during breastfeeding.