Elecampane is a bitter-tasting plant that has a long history of use for its various health benefits.
This plant is also commonly called also called horse-heal or elfdock.
Elecampane rhizomes (i.e. roots) are commonly used for digestive health as well as for lung and respiratory health. It works as a mucolytic to help move phlegm from the lungs.
In this article, we will look at the health benefits of elecampane, its safety, and its history.
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What is Elecampane?
Elecampane is a perennial plant in the Asteraceae (i.e. sunflower) family. It was originally native to Eurasia, where it spread from Spain to Western China.
The scientific name for this herb is Inula helenium, but it’s commonly called elecampane.
The root of this plant has been used traditionally for its antimicrobial properties, as well as for supporting digestive health and respiratory health. It’s still frequently used as a bitter tonic and expectorant.
Elecampane contains sesquiterpene lactones, a class of phytochemicals that have been studied in recent years due to their anti-inflammatory activity.
This herb has a long history of traditional medicine usage, but modern research is just now establishing its health benefits.
Benefits of Elecampane:
There are many purported health benefits of elecampane. Most of the scientific research on this herb has been done via test-tube research or animal studies.
1. May Support Respiratory Health
Elecampane has been used traditionally to support lung health and respiratory function.
Traditional herbalists suggest that elecampane works as a gently stimulating expectorant for chronic catarrhal conditions. Said more plainly, this herb works to expel phlegm from your lungs.
A recent clinical trial involving 106 children with acute cough was conducted to test the effectiveness of a cough syrup containing various herbs, including:
- Inula helenium (i.e. elecampane)
- Malva sylvestris (i.e. common mallow)
- Plantago major extract (i.e. plantain)
- Helichrysum stoechas (i.e. everlasting flower)
Over the course of 8 days, the study found that the group given the herbal cough syrup had a significant reduction in night-time and day-time cough scores.
A lab-based study found that elecampane (as well as Grindelia squarrosa) worked to reduce inflammation within cultured human respiratory epithelium cells. The researchers noted that their observations in this study justify the traditional use of these herbs for the treatment of inflammation-based diseases in the respiratory tract.
A clinically tested and approved extract of I. helenium root (standardized for sesquiterpene lactones) is marketed in Russia under the name “Alanton”. It is prescribed for the treatment of acute and chronic infectious and inflammatory diseases of the respiratory system, accompanied by a persistent cough with thick viscous mucus.
Isoalantolactone, a sesquiterpene lactone found in elecampane, has been found in lab studies to help reduce inflammation in cases of acute lung injury.
Elecampane has also been found to be one of the best herbs for sore throat pain, along with herbs such as horehound and licorice.
Summary:
It appears that elecampane has the ability to expel mucus from the respiratory system. It also appears to have an anti-inflammatory effect within the lungs. While these initial findings are promising, full-scale human clinical trials are needed to verify these results.
2. May Improve Digestive Health
Elecampane may be one of the best bitter herbs for digestion.
Elecampane contains inulin, a prebiotic fiber that’s known to support digestive health.
Inulin is a special type of fiber that is readily fermentable by intestinal bacteria. It’s been noted that inulin helps to increase stool frequency in individuals with constipation.
Research shows that inulin has many other health benefits, including improved intestinal permeability, a decrease in fat mass, and an improvement in appetite control.
Additionally, research shows that bitter-tasting herbs (like elecampane) work to increase the secretion of gastric juice and bile. This essentially primes your digestive system and helps your body digest food better.
Summary:
Elecampane contains inulin, a prebiotic fiber that has many benefits for digestive health. It’s also been shown to increase the secretion of gastric juice and bile, which helps with digestion.
3. Antimicrobial Properties
Research shows that elecampane has antimicrobial properties.
A test-tube study looked at the effectiveness of elecampane extract versus Staphylococcus aureus. The study results showed I. helenium to be 100% effective against the 200 staphylococci strains that were tested.
Another in vitro study found that the essential oil present in elecampane proved to be effective in fighting both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. The study also found that elecampane was highly effective against Candida spp (a fungal infection). Interestingly, the researchers noted that elecampane essential oil was found to be more effective in attacking Candida spp than other well-known antimicrobial herbs, including tea tree and bergamot oil.
Another lab study found that elecampane has strong anti-bacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus. Staph is a gram-positive bacteria that cause a wide variety of clinical diseases. The researchers noted that the sesquiterpene lactones present in elecampane were found to be the most active principles against S. aureus.
Summary:
A wide variety of laboratory studies show that elecampane has strong antimicrobial properties. While these initial findings are promising, human clinical trials are needed.
4. Anti-Inflammatory Properties
Laboratory research suggests that elecampane has anti-inflammatory activity. It’s thought that the sesquiterpene lactones found in this herb are responsible for its anti-inflammatory action.
Inflammation is a complex defense mechanism that is vital to health since it is the immune system’s response to harmful stimuli, such as damaged cells, toxic compounds, pathogens, or irradiation. Chronic inflammation can lead to a variety of negative health outcomes.
As noted above, a lab-based study found that elecampane worked to reduce inflammation within human respiratory cells.
An animal study noted that sesquiterpene lactones (isolated from Inula helenium) worked to reduce inflammation in mice.
Igalan, a sesquiterpene lactone found in elecampane, has been found in lab studies to impair pro-inflammatory cytokines.
Another sesquiterpene lactone, Isoalantolactone, within elecampane has been found in lab studies to help reduce inflammation in cases of acute lung injury.
Summary:
Lab research shows that the sesquiterpene lactones f