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{{Taxobox | color = lightgreen
| name = Elecampane
| image = Koeh-210.jpg
| image_width = 250px
| regnum = [[Plantae]]
| phylum = [[Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[Magnoliopsida]]
| ordo = [[Asterales]]
| familia = [[Asteraceae]]
| tribus = [[Inuleae]]
| genus = ''[[Inula]]''
| species = '''''I. helenium'''''
| binomial = ''Inula helenium''
}}
'''Elecampane''', also called '''Horse-heal''' (''Inula helenium'') or '''Marchalan''' (in [[Welsh]]), is a [[Perennial plant|perennial]] [[composite plant]] common in many parts of [[Great Britain]], and ranges throughout central and [[Southern Europe]], and in [[Asia]] as far eastwards as the [[Himalayas]].
It is a rather rigid [[herb]], the [[Plant stem|stem]] of which attains a height of from 3 to 5 feet; the [[leaves]] are large and toothed, the lower ones stalked, the rest embracing the stem; the [[flower]]s are yellow, 2 inches broad, and have many rays, each three-notched at the extremity. The root is thick, branching and mucilaginous, and has a warm, bitter taste and a [[camphoraceous]] [[odor]].
[[Image:Inule helenium.jpg|thumb|left|230px]]
For [[medicinal]] purposes it should be procured from plants not more than two or three years old. Besides [[inulin]], C<sub>12</sub>H<sub>20</sub>O<sub>10</sub>, a body [[isomeric]] with [[starch]], the [[root]] contains [[helenin]], C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>8</sub>O, a [[stearoptene]], which may be prepared in white acicular [[crystal]]s, insoluble in water, but freely soluble in [[alcohol]]. When freed from the accompanying inula-camphor by repeated crystallization from alcohol, helenin melts at 110° C. By the ancients the root was employed both as a medicine and as a [[condiment]], and in [[England]] it was formerly in great repute as an aromatic tonic and stimulant of the secretory [[organ (anatomy)|organ]]s. As a drug, however, the root is now seldom resorted to except in [[veterinary]] practice, though it is undoubtedly possessed of [[antiseptic]] properties.
In [[France]] and [[Switzerland]] it is used in the manufacture of [[absinthe]].
==Folklore==
The plant's specific name, ''helenium'', derives from [[Helen of Troy]]; elecampane is said to have sprung up from where her tears fell. It was sacred to the ancient [[Celts]], and once had the name "elfwort".<ref>Howard, Michael. ''Traditional Folk Remedies'' (Century, 1987); p135</ref>
==Herbalism==
[[John Gerard]] recommended elecampane for "the shortness of breath"; today herbalists prescribe it as an [[expectorant]] and for [[water retention]]; it also is claimed to have [[antiseptic]] properties. It has minor applications as a [[tonic]] and to bring on [[menstruation]].<ref>Howard, Michael. ''Traditional Folk Remedies'' (Century, 1987); p136</ref>
==References==
<references/>
{{Commons|Inula helenium}}
{{1911}}
[[Category:Asteraceae]]
[[Category:Flora of Asia]]
[[Category:Flora of Europe]]
[[Category:Medicinal plants]]
| name = Elecampane
| image = Koeh-210.jpg
| image_width = 250px
| regnum = [[Plantae]]
| phylum = [[Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[Magnoliopsida]]
| ordo = [[Asterales]]
| familia = [[Asteraceae]]
| tribus = [[Inuleae]]
| genus = ''[[Inula]]''
| species = '''''I. helenium'''''
| binomial = ''Inula helenium''
}}
'''Elecampane''', also called '''Horse-heal''' (''Inula helenium'') or '''Marchalan''' (in [[Welsh]]), is a [[Perennial plant|perennial]] [[composite plant]] common in many parts of [[Great Britain]], and ranges throughout central and [[Southern Europe]], and in [[Asia]] as far eastwards as the [[Himalayas]].
It is a rather rigid [[herb]], the [[Plant stem|stem]] of which attains a height of from 3 to 5 feet; the [[leaves]] are large and toothed, the lower ones stalked, the rest embracing the stem; the [[flower]]s are yellow, 2 inches broad, and have many rays, each three-notched at the extremity. The root is thick, branching and mucilaginous, and has a warm, bitter taste and a [[camphoraceous]] [[odor]].
[[Image:Inule helenium.jpg|thumb|left|230px]]
For [[medicinal]] purposes it should be procured from plants not more than two or three years old. Besides [[inulin]], C<sub>12</sub>H<sub>20</sub>O<sub>10</sub>, a body [[isomeric]] with [[starch]], the [[root]] contains [[helenin]], C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>8</sub>O, a [[stearoptene]], which may be prepared in white acicular [[crystal]]s, insoluble in water, but freely soluble in [[alcohol]]. When freed from the accompanying inula-camphor by repeated crystallization from alcohol, helenin melts at 110° C. By the ancients the root was employed both as a medicine and as a [[condiment]], and in [[England]] it was formerly in great repute as an aromatic tonic and stimulant of the secretory [[organ (anatomy)|organ]]s. As a drug, however, the root is now seldom resorted to except in [[veterinary]] practice, though it is undoubtedly possessed of [[antiseptic]] properties.
In [[France]] and [[Switzerland]] it is used in the manufacture of [[absinthe]].
==Folklore==
The plant's specific name, ''helenium'', derives from [[Helen of Troy]]; elecampane is said to have sprung up from where her tears fell. It was sacred to the ancient [[Celts]], and once had the name "elfwort".<ref>Howard, Michael. ''Traditional Folk Remedies'' (Century, 1987); p135</ref>
==Herbalism==
[[John Gerard]] recommended elecampane for "the shortness of breath"; today herbalists prescribe it as an [[expectorant]] and for [[water retention]]; it also is claimed to have [[antiseptic]] properties. It has minor applications as a [[tonic]] and to bring on [[menstruation]].<ref>Howard, Michael. ''Traditional Folk Remedies'' (Century, 1987); p136</ref>
==References==
<references/>
{{Commons|Inula helenium}}
{{1911}}
[[Category:Asteraceae]]
[[Category:Flora of Asia]]
[[Category:Flora of Europe]]
[[Category:Medicinal plants]]
