Elecampane
1:1.5 Spagyric of organic Inula helenium root extracted via ethanol and distilled water with plant’s salt principle added.
Planetary ruler(s): Mercury, Jupiter
Physical properties*:
Elecampane is a tried and tested medicine held in high regard by many medicine traditions around the world. It is considered a cure all but is particularly beneficial for respiratory conditions such as bronchitis, pneumonia etc, where both its’ antimicrobial, mucous thinning, and stimulant expectorant properties are useful in helping the body destroy foreign pathogens and then get them out (expectorate). As elecampane is a warming and drying medicine it is not so recommended for those with dry, tickly coughs, unless it is paired with moistening herbs like licorice or marshmallow. The root of this proud herb is also beneficial for recovering from illness where it exhibits a slow ‘building’ quality as it tonifies digestive fire, increasing bile secretions, assimilation and it also contains inulin which is a prebiotic fiber – overall helping one recover from debilitating illnesses, particularly the respiratory ones. It is antifungal and also contains analactone which is highly anthelmintic (kills worms) and anti-inflammatory. This herb may be beneficial for managing diabetes, though it may also interfere with antidiabetic medication by that same token.
*Before purchase please see full disclaimer at bottom of page - statements and products not approved by TGA.
Emotional/Spiritual Properties*:
Elecampane is such a unique mix of woody, bitter and pungent… it feels so resolving as it combines these properties in a very fortifying manner. Many respiratory herbs seem to help the lungs feel smoother or lighter but Elecampane really seems to fortify our lungs, pushing their boundaries further out, expanding them but not in an unsustainable way. And it does this to our being a whole, increasing our capacity for life, bringing in the necessary supplies (be it food, or rest, time, meditation etc) to help our being find the inner and outer fortitude and resolve to move forward, but not in the same brash way that caused us illness in the first place. No, Elecampane enables discernment, it grounds a mind that is perhaps overreaching its boundaries, and ego that is thinking into matters it should not be so concerned with and it brings it back to what is at hand. It is better to dream with the capacity to follow dreams rather than to dream without that capacity… Elecampane ask us to look out the ways in which we are underequipped to carry out our big visions…and sometimes creating that capacity is as simple as just breathing!
Contraindications/cautions:
-Not to be taken if pregnant.
-May interfere with blood pressure medications.
-Belongs to the Asteraceae (Daisy) family and thus may cause allergic reactions in some.
-May interfere with diabetes medications.
