A plant with nine healing powers - this is how elecampane was called in Rus', having been used as a medicine since time immemorial. According to legend, a decoction of elecampane, on the orders of Suvorov, supported the strength of Russian soldiers during the historical pass through the Alps. Its medicinal properties are mentioned in the works of Galen and Hippocrates. Asian folk medicine attributes elecampane with the ability to strengthen the heart and restore potency. This flower is often mentioned as a life-saving remedy for intoxication and hangover. And, as it was established during special studies, it was not in vain.
What does elecampane look like?
For treatment in folk medicine, as a rule, the herb and root of elecampane are used, which is sometimes called medicinal. It is a herbaceous perennial that can grow up to 3 meters in height. In favorable conditions it can take on the appearance of a bush. The leaves of elecampane are very large, especially in the basal part, and have a rich green color. The inflorescences are formed at the tips of the shoots, have a bright yellow color (which determines the botanical name of the plant) and a chamomile-like shape. Preferred habitats are steppes, ravines, floodplain meadows. Prefers proximity to bodies of water. This is one of the plants that can almost always be found in the apothecary garden, since its medicinal properties have a wide range of applications. Elecampane is classified as a member of the Astrov family and includes about 200 species in its genus. The distribution area is vast regions of temperate and subtropical climates of Eurasia and Africa.
Planting and caring for elecampane
- Flowering: within a month from July.
- Planting: sowing seeds in open ground - in the second ten days of May, after stratification of the seed material, or before winter.
- Lighting: bright sunlight.
- Soil: nutritious, moist, breathable, drained, preferably loamy or sandy loam.
- Watering: in the first year - frequent and plentiful, especially during the periods of budding and flowering. In the future, the plant itself will begin to obtain moisture for itself, therefore, from the second season, watering is carried out only during a prolonged drought.
- Feeding: Nitroammofoska solution twice a season: as soon as the plant forms a rosette of leaves and when ground shoots begin to grow.
- Reproduction: seed.
- Pests and diseases: practically not affected.
- Properties: is a well-known medicinal plant with anti-inflammatory, expectorant, diuretic, diaphoretic, antiseptic and anthelmintic effects.
Read more about growing elecampane below.
Useful properties and applications
Let us list the main components found in the composition of elecampane (medicinal) and the properties that each of these elements gives it.
- Essential oils. Their healing effect on the human body is difficult to overestimate. It has an aseptic, calming, tonic, immunomodulatory effect and much more. Elecampane essential oil is rich in bicyclic sesquiterpenes.
- Flavonoids. They improve the body’s response to viruses, delay aging, and neutralize free radicals.
- Resins active against pathogens.
- Saponins. They have a tonic and antitussive effect.
- Mucous substances (bitterness). Promote the proper functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, treat diseases of the oropharynx, and promote scarring of ulcers.
- Alkaloids. They have an analgesic effect.
- Fat-soluble vitamin E. Anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, vision aid and anti-aging.
- Inulin. Natural harmless sweetener. Useful for patients with diabetes.
Types and varieties
Royle's elecampane (Inula royleana)
- a perennial up to 60 cm high with oblong leaves up to 25 cm long and baskets with a diameter of 4-5 cm, consisting of bright yellow tubular and reed flowers. This species blooms in July-August. In culture since 1897.
- Growing lupine seedlings: sowing and picking
Elecampane (Inula rhizocephala)
– one of the most popular ornamental plant species in culture. The long, lanceolate leaves of elecampane are collected in a basal rosette, in the very middle of which there are compact, dense yellow inflorescences. The root system of this species is superficial and highly branched.
Eastern elecampane (Inula orientalis)
originally from the Caucasus and Asia Minor. This is a perennial up to 70 cm high with straight stems, oblong-spatulate leaves and baskets with a diameter of 9-10 cm of yellow tubular and dark yellow, very thin and long reed flowers. The species has been in cultivation since 1804.
Elecampane (Inula ensifolia)
can be found in forests, on mountain calcareous and chalk slopes and in the steppes of the Caucasus and Europe. This is a compact plant with a height of 15 to 30 cm with strong but thin stems branching in the upper part, narrow lanceolate sessile leaves up to 6 cm long and single yellow baskets with a diameter of 2 to 4 cm. The species has been in cultivation since 1793 and has a low-growing variety up to 20 cm high, which is characterized by abundant and long-lasting flowering.
Elecampane (Inula magnifica)
it is called so for good reason: it is a powerful, majestic and spreading perennial up to 2 m high with a thick grooved stem, large oblong basal and lower stem leaves up to 50 cm long and up to 25 cm wide. At the base, the leaves narrow and turn into a petiole up to 60 cm long. The upper ones The leaves of the plant are sessile and much smaller than the lower ones. Yellow flower baskets up to 15 cm in diameter are located one or several on peduncles up to 25 cm long, forming scutes. The magnificent elecampane blooms in July-August, but after the end of flowering it completely loses its decorative effect, so it is usually cut off.
British elecampane (Inula britannica)
in the wild it is found in the steppes, along ravines, along roadsides, in sedge swamps, in wet forest and salt marsh meadows, birch forests and in floodplain bush thickets of Europe and Asia. It is a low perennial, covered with grey-tomentose pubescence, with an erect, ribbed stem, simple or branched at the top and slightly reddish at the bottom. Its leaves are elliptical, lanceolate or linear-lanceolate, sometimes ovate, entire or finely toothed, with spines along the edges, acute, glabrous or slightly pubescent above, densely covered below with appressed woolly or glandular hairs. Yellow baskets up to 5 cm in diameter can be single or collected in loose shields.
Elecampane (Inula helenium)
grows in light pine and deciduous forests, meadows, along the banks of rivers in the Caucasus, Europe and Siberia. It is a perennial that forms a cylindrical bush up to 2.5 m high. It has a powerful, strong-smelling rhizome, oblong-elliptical basal and lower stem leaves 40-50 long and 15-20 cm wide. From the middle of the stem the leaves are sessile, with a stem-encompassing base . Golden-yellow baskets up to 8 cm in diameter are located on short peduncles in the axils of the bracts and form sparse racemes. This species has been in culture since ancient times.
Use of elecampane root, its properties
The use of the plant root in folk medicine is due to the beneficial effects of drugs based on it in diseases of the female and male reproductive system, pulmonary diseases, digestive disorders, skin lesions, including those resulting from inflammatory processes. In addition, it is taken in case of muscle and joint pain, problems with the hematopoietic organs (liver and spleen), to increase immunity and to tidy up the nervous system (sedative or tonic effect depending on the condition).
Chemical composition
The general composition of the plant in accordance with the actual content to the daily norm (/) for humans:
- calcium - 4.5 mg/1 g;
- magnesium - 1 mg/0.4 g;
- sodium - 0.9 mg/1.3 g;
- sulfur - 1 mg/1 g;
- chlorine - 1.4 mg/2.3 g;
- iron - 0.001 mg/18 mg;
- manganese - 0.0016 mg/2 mg;
- copper - 0.6 μg/1000 μg;
- fluoride - 100 mcg/4000 mcg.
The main components of the ground part of the elecampane:
- Plant polyphenols (flavonoids). They are necessary to stabilize the nervous system and strengthen the walls of blood capillaries.
- Essential oils. When creating the aroma of a plant, they perform an additional function in the form of attracting the attention of pollinating insects.
- Tannins. Their main feature is the ability to reduce the secretory activity of the gastrointestinal tract.
- Organic acids. Fumaric acid promotes carbohydrate metabolism, acetic acid promotes the metabolic process, propionic acid promotes glyconeogenesis in the liver.
- Complex organic compounds. Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) is essential for immune protection, and tocopherol (vitamin E) is essential as an antioxidant.
Elecampane roots contain:
- Inulin. This polysaccharide is considered a natural prebiotic that has a beneficial effect on the condition of the large intestine.
- Alkoloids. We are talking about effective antispasmodics with a wide spectrum of action.
- Saponins. The activity of hormones without their assistance is significantly reduced.
- Slime. For enveloping the walls of the stomach and protecting it, it has no equal.
- Gum. If there is excess cholesterol in the body, you cannot do without this component.
Elecampane's roots
Procurement of raw materials
You don’t have to buy elecampane grass, leaves and roots at the pharmacy; you can prepare them yourself. To do this, you need to choose plants that are at least 3 years old; they have a higher concentration of nutrients. You can dig up the bush completely, separate the roots from the shoots, cut them and dry them separately. But it is best to harvest elecampane grass and its roots separately at different times. The leaves are harvested at the height of flowering, and the roots - with the onset of autumn, when the elecampane flower has already faded.
It is not recommended to dry the roots in the oven even at low temperatures; they lose a significant part of their medicinal properties.
Botanical description
Elecampane is usually a perennial herbaceous or subshrub plant, but there are both annual and biennial species in the genus. The rhizome of elecampane is shortened, thickened roots extend from it. The stems of elecampane are weakly branched, straight, pubescent or smooth. The leaves are heart-shaped, large, lanceolate or oblong, unevenly toothed or entire. Solitary or collected in corymbs or panicles, elecampane baskets consist of marginal and tubular central flowers of different shades of yellow. The involucre leaves are lanceolate and green. The fruits of elecampane are ribbed, cylindrical, pubescent or bare achenes.
Treatment with elecampane in folk medicine
The medicinal properties of this plant are recognized by official medicine; preparations based on elecampane are included in the pharmacopoeial lists. Therefore, many of them can be purchased at the pharmacy, like dried roots. In traditional and folk medicine, dried and fresh roots and fresh leaves of elecampane are used, on the basis of which decoctions, infusions with alcohol and wine tinctures, tea and other health drinks, as well as ointments, balms and other medicinal forms for internal and external use are prepared.
Tincture of elecampane with wine
Crushed rhizomes are added to dry red wine at the rate of 2 tbsp. roots for 0.5 liters of wine. Place everything on low heat and cook for 15 minutes. The finished drug is cooled and filtered. It is recommended to take 50 g twice - morning and evening.
The second option is for 1 tbsp. roots add 1 tsp. honey, everything is poured with a liter of red wine and simmered for half an hour over very low heat, and then filtered and cooled. Take 2 or 3 times a day, on a full stomach (after meals).
Alcohol tincture of elecampane
To prepare an alcohol tincture, 2 tsp. dried rhizomes must be ground into powder, then pour in 0.5 liters of vodka. You need to infuse the composition for at least 2 days in a dark, cool place, shaking occasionally. The strained infusion is taken 25 drops immediately before meals.
The second option (from fresh roots) - 2 cups of well-washed and finely grated elecampane roots, pour 3 tbsp. vodka. Exposure time in a cool, dark place is 10 days. Take 1 tsp with food.
How to brew elecampane?
You can brew elecampane leaves as tea, or you can make a decoction from fresh or dried roots. For 1 tbsp. boiling water take 1 tsp. rhizomes. They need to be boiled for about a quarter of an hour, after which the broth should stand for several more hours. You need to drink it one tablespoon regardless of meals.
The second option (for external compresses against pain in muscles and joints) - 1 tbsp. boiling water 2 tsp. chopped rhizome, continue boiling for 5 minutes.
Third option (for washing wounds, skin lesions, adding to baths). For 100 g of crushed root - 1 liter of cold water. Pour in and put on low heat for 4 hours.
Infusion
For 2 tbsp. grated root take 2 tbsp. boiling water The container is closed with a lid and left until it cools completely. Take 2 tbsp. during every meal.
Cold version of the infusion. Add 1 tbsp to 0.5 liters of cold boiled water. dried root powder. Let stand for 8 hours, take 0.5 cups before meals.
Ointment
Fine powder is prepared from the dried rhizome of elecampane, after which it is mixed with any fatty base (fat) in a ratio of 1:5. Everything is placed on a very low heat or, better yet, in a sauna. In the first case, the heating time is 15 minutes, in the second - at least an hour. Strain in hot liquid form, cool and apply to skin lesions (wounds, eczema, inflammation) once a day.
Juice
It is quite difficult to obtain juice from the rhizome of elecampane; to do this, it is ground fresh and mixed in equal proportions with honey. After the gruel gives juice. It is filtered. Half an hour before meals, take a teaspoon three times throughout the day.
To brew tea, add a full teaspoon of finely grated or chopped roots to 1 liter of water. It is enough to leave for a quarter of an hour. To improve the taste, honey is added to tea. Drink a cup after meals.
Balm syrup
First, prepare a decoction of 50 g of raw materials per 1 liter of water. After this, freshly squeezed apple juice and 1/2 tbsp are added to it. granulated sugar. Take cold on an empty stomach or before meals during the day for general strengthening of the body.
Collection of elecampane and storage
The harvest of rhizomes with adventitious roots can be harvested in the second year. When the elecampane seeds are ripe, the plant is cut at a height of 5-10 cm from the ground, the bush is carefully dug up with a pitchfork, the elecampane root is removed from the ground, shaken off, washed thoroughly, cut into pieces 10-20 cm long, and dried for 2-3 days in the shade. , transfer to a well-ventilated area, lay out in a layer no thicker than 5 cm and dry at a temperature of 35-40 ºC, constantly stirring and turning over so that the roots dry evenly. Store finished raw materials in bags, glass or wooden containers for no longer than three years.
Treatment of diseases with elecampane
Let us describe a short list of possible uses for the medicinal properties of elecampane.
Joint and muscle pain
The presence of alkaloids in the root determines the analgesic effect of preparations based on elecampane. With their help, you can relieve pain from gout, rheumatoid arthritis, pinched muscles and muscle cramps, as well as dislocations and fractures. For external use, alcohol and vodka tinctures are used, which are used to rub the affected areas. The decoction can be taken orally or added to warm water in the bath.
Acute respiratory diseases
For colds, elecampane preparations are used as an antitussive. The mucus present in the plant promotes rapid expectoration, and the resins in its composition help cure coughs of a bacterial nature.
A decoction of elecampane is used in folk medicine to alleviate the condition of patients with tuberculosis.
Skin diseases
Ointments, decoctions, infusions and tinctures of elecampane treat ulcers, irritations, and inflammations, including purulent ones. They are used to treat wounds and dermatitis. The essential oils present in the composition help stop inflammatory processes.
Gastrointestinal disease
First of all, elecampane is used to accelerate the scarring of gastric and intestinal ulcers. They promote healthy digestion and relieve persistent chronic and acute diarrhea.
The use of applications with elecampane ointment helps treat hemorrhoids, relieve swelling of hemorrhoidal cones, and stop bleeding.
Oral inflammation
Rinsing your mouth with tea, decoction or infusion of elecampane will help relieve inflammation, reduce bleeding gums, and relieve toothache.
Hangover syndrome
Tea or decoction based on elecampane, taken after a large dose of alcohol, will help avoid or reduce a hangover, as well as weaken the effects of alcohol and reduce intoxication.
In addition, products based on this plant are used for diabetes, pathologies of the cardiovascular system (after consultation with a doctor!), liver problems, and nervous disorders.
Origin of the name, ancient legend
The scientific name of the genus Inula from the Greek word ineo - to cleanse, is associated with the main medicinal effect of elecampane.
The specific name helenium is associated with the Greek word helios - sun, since the shape and color of the inflorescences resembles the golden radiant sun.
Some scientists believe that the species name was given to a plant named Helene - Helen, the daughter of Zeus, with whom a long-standing legend is associated. This happened more than 3000 years ago, blood was shed because of it - the Trojan War lasted 10 years.
Helen was the first beauty of Ancient Rome; she was considered more beautiful than all the goddesses of Olympus. Many noble people of Greece sought her hand, but she refused them, having fallen in love with the brave Menelaus.
She was kidnapped by Paris, the son of the king of Troy - this kidnapping became the reason for the Trojan War, which led to the destruction of the famous city of Troy, built by the gods. During the war, Helen was in besieged Troy and wept bitterly.
They say that her tears, falling to the ground, flashed gold, turning into golden flowers. In memory of the first beauty and unhappy love, the flowers began to be called Inula helenium - the purification of Helen.
For a long time in Rus', the plant was called elecampane - nine powers, believing that it has great power and can cure 9 diseases. Nine forces is reflected in its Russian name. It was also believed that elecampane helps against evil spirits; household outbuildings were smoked at dawn with the smoke of burnt plants. It is still grown near houses, in gardens, and used as medicine at home - read about this in the next article .
Healing properties for women
Traditional healers have long treated infertility using tampons soaked in elecampane decoction. The action of the plant in this case is based on stimulating the ovaries and the ovulation process. Douching with the addition of a decoction helps relieve vaginal inflammation and treat cervical erosion. The analgesic effect of the plant will help with painful periods.
Taking these drugs helps cleanse the intestines and has diuretic properties, so they can be recommended for those who want to lose weight.
Habitat
The territory in which the elecampane feels comfortable is quite extensive. It grows in Eurasia and Africa. With such a wide range, it is possible to meet elecampane in the Chinese and Mongolian expanses.
They are very familiar with it in Western Siberia, Altai and the Middle East. It also pleases the inhabitants of the Caucasus with its sunny petals. Elecampane looks especially impressive against the backdrop of mountain streams.
Regions of distribution on the map of Russia
Contraindications for elecampane
Any herbal treatment should be preceded by a medical consultation to identify individual contraindications and prescribe adequate treatment tactics. In particular, elecampane has the following general contraindications.
- Pregnancy. The plant can provoke bleeding and cause increased uterine tone.
- Lactation. The bitterness contained in the herb can significantly deteriorate the taste of milk.
- Age under 12 years.
- Defects and other severe heart pathologies.
- Kidney failure.
- Chronic constipation, intestinal atony.
- Increased blood viscosity.
Application in cosmetology
A unique plant helps fight aging, sagging skin, restores elasticity and tone of the skin. In young women 30-35 years old it can be used to prevent wrinkles.
The second area of application is cleansing the skin of acne, pimples, as well as reducing the severity of their marks.
Skin rejuvenating lotion
50 gr. Pour 500 ml of dry white wine over the dried roots and boil over low heat for 10 minutes. Wipe your face with cold lotion 2 times a day (store the product in the refrigerator).
Skin cleanser
50 gr. Boil fresh roots in 200 ml of vegetable oil for 15 minutes, pour into a glass container with a lid and leave for 7 days. in a dark place. Apply warm, apply to the affected parts of the face for 10-15 minutes, then remove the remaining product with a cotton pad.
Elecampane has also been used for a long time to strengthen and grow hair, and also helps against dandruff.
3 tsp mix the roots with 500 ml of boiling water, leave for half an hour and strain. Rub into hair roots and scalp for 30 minutes, rinse with warm water. You can also add 2 tsp to the composition. burdock and nettle.
What the researchers say
Back in 1804, scientists first isolated a substance from elecampane, which was later named inulin. By the way, this compound got its name from the Latin name elecampane. Inulin is the main component of the chemical composition of Elenina grass. In addition to it, the plant contains essential oils and saponins.
It has been established that inulin has a beneficial effect on the bronchi. Scientific experiments have shown that the amount of inulin in a plant varies depending on the season. The maximum concentration of the beneficial substance is observed in autumn. For example, a root dug up in October contains almost 45% inulin, while a spring sample contains only 19%. In the spring months, inulin is replaced from the root by other substances, such as levulin, mucus, glycosides, and simple carbohydrates.
Alantolactone, found in elecampane, is believed by researchers to have anti-inflammatory properties. In addition, this substance inhibits mucus secretion and strengthens the immune system.
Elecampane has a tonic, expectorant effect and stimulates coughing and removal of mucus from the lungs. By the way, it is believed that the essential oils contained in it impart these properties to the plant.
Possible side effects
Elecampane is a useful medicinal plant, but it can be dangerous for some people. We are talking about people prone to allergies. If a person has had allergic reactions to chamomile, echinacea, or pyrethrum, then elecampane will most likely cause an allergy. A reaction to the plant may include vomiting, diarrhea and cramps.
Preparations from elecampane are prohibited for pregnant women (the plant stimulates the uterus), for kidney dysfunction and cardiac disorders.
Dosage forms of drugs
Drugs containing elecampane are prescribed for accompanying therapy for:
- oncological diseases;
- metabolic disorders in the body;
- joint problems;
- pinched sciatic nerve;
- low hemoglobin.
List of known drugs:
- "Elecampane P" (Russia). One hundred tablets of a natural remedy are prescribed for colds, bile stagnation and stomach cramps. Elecampane cryopowder is supplemented with vitamin C.
- "Elecampane" (Ukraine). It is produced in the form of filter bags of 4 g each. It consists of rhizomes and roots of elecampane. The drug is prescribed for coughs and colds.
- “Elecampane” with bear bile (Russia). The release form of the drug is a cream-balm in an aluminum tube. It is used to treat joints, relieve swelling and pain in their area.
- “Elecampane-syrup” fortified (Kazakhstan). Each bottle contains 125 ml of cold remedy. It contains roots and rhizomes of elecampane, vitamin C and rose hips.
- Cream-balm “Folk Healer” (Russia). It is used for psoriasis and lichen. After water procedures, the cream is applied to problem areas of the body.
