Elecampane (Inula helenium)

Elecampane is an herb. The root is used to make medicine.

Elecampane is used for lung diseases including asthma, bronchitis, and whooping cough. It is also used to prevent coughing, especially coughing caused by tuberculosis; and as an expectorant to help loosen phlegm, so it can be coughed up more easily.

Other uses include improving stomach function; treating nausea and diarrhea; and killing worms that can live in the intestine. These worms include hookworm, roundworm, threadworm, and whipworm.

Some people use elecampane to promote sweating.

In foods and beverages, elecampane is used to provide flavor.

In other manufacturing processes, elecampane is used as a fragrance in cosmetics and soaps.

How does it work?

Elecampane contains chemicals that can kill worms that infest the gut.

Coughs.
Asthma.
Bronchitis.
Nausea.
Diarrhea.
Killing worms that live in the gut (hookworm, roundworm, threadworm, and whipworm).

0.5–1g of elecampane daily.

Elecampane is SAFE for most adults when taken by mouth in usual medicinal amounts. Elecampane is POSSIBLY UNSAFE when taken in large amounts. Large amounts of elecampane can cause vomiting and diarrhea.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: It's LIKELY UNSAFE to take elecampane if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. Avoid use.

Allergy to ragweed and related plants: Elecampane may cause an allergic reaction in people who are sensitive to the Asteraceae/Compositae plant family. Members of this family include ragweed, chrysanthemums, marigolds, daisies, and many others. If you have allergies, be sure to check with your healthcare provider before taking elecampane.

Diabetes: There is some concern that elecampane may interfere with blood sugar control. If you have diabetes and use elecampane, monitor your blood sugar carefully.

High blood pressure or low blood pressure: There is some concern that elecampane might interfere with blood pressure control. If you have blood pressure problems and use elecampane, monitor your blood pressure carefully.

Surgery: Elecampane affects the central nervous system and can cause sleepiness. There is a concern that it might cause too much sleepiness if combined with anesthesia and other medications used during and after surgery. Stop using elecampane at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.