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Herbs & Supplements
Elfwort
Scientific Name: Elecampane
Other Names: Alant, Elf Dock, Horse-elder, Horseheal, Inula helenium, Pushkarmoola, Scabwort, Velvet Dock, Wild Sunflower, Yellow Starwort
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Uses
Traditionally, elecampane has been taken to treat respiratory conditions such as asthma and bronchitis because chemicals in it cause mucus to become thinner. Consequently, congestion in the lungs may be lessened and the elimination of excess mucus may be easier. Elecampane may also help to decrease coughing.
Because it contains mucilage, elecampane has been used to relieve gastrointestinal (GI) irritation, as well. Mucilage is a natural gummy substance that does not dissolve in water, but forms a thick, gooey mass when exposed to fluids. Like other mucilage-containing substances, elecampane swells up and becomes slick when it is exposed to fluids. The resulting slippery material coats and soothes irritated tissue in the mouth, throat, stomach, or intestines.
Elecampane is a source of inulin (also known as fructosan), a carbohydrate-based fiber that is broken down and absorbed in the colon instead of in the upper digestive tract where most other foods are digested. Also unlike most other carbohydrates, which are converted to glycogen and stored temporarily in the liver, inulin is converted into fatty acids that spread out to many different tissues in the body. Inulin is often substituted for other carbohydrates in food products for individuals with diabetes because it provides a sweet taste without causing drastic changes in blood sugar levels. As shown in a few laboratory and animal studies, it may have a general lowering effect on blood sugar levels, as well. Additionally, inulin is thought to protect beneficial bacteria in the colon while suppressing harmful bacteria. Therefore, inulin may help prevent bowel diseases, including colon cancer. However, research in humans is limited for all of these possible uses.
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Note: The above information is not intended to replace the advice of your physician, pharmacist, or other healthcare professional. It is not meant to indicate that the use of the product is safe, appropriate, or effective for you.
In general, herbal products are not subject to review or approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). They are not required to be standardized, meaning that the amounts of active ingredients or contaminants they contain may vary between brands or between different batches of the same brand. Not all of the risks, side effects, or interactions associated with the use of herbal products are known because few reliable studies of their use in humans have been done.
This information is provided for your education only. Please share this information with your healthcare provider and be sure that you talk to your doctor and pharmacist about all the prescription and non-prescription medicines you take before you begin to use any herbal product.
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Who is this for? 
