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ELECAMPANE (Inula helenium) is a member of the sunflower family, and we harvest 3-year+-old roots which are very aromatic, and excellent for dispelling phlegm from the lungs.

Elecampane now grows prolifically on our farm, having been spread by birds.

The root is typically candied, made into a tea, or tinctured.

We dug these roots on May 8, 2020, just before a little snowstorm blanketed the ground with 2” of snow here in Vermont, and are amazed at the vitality of the newly-sprouting crowns. We cleaned the roots and ground them at 1:2 ratio of root-to-100-proof alcohol. Now, we wait for 6 weeks for the tincture to be ready.

While we at SHO are not herbalists, we commit ourselves daily to learn the valuable lessons of plants, embracing that which surrounds us.

Susun Weed talks about elecampane’s actions as specific for more acute lung infections (vs as a preventive herb), swiftly dispelling infection in 1-2 days. People with bronchitis or asthma have used this herb as needed, though there has been no medical studies to prove or disprove its efficacy.

This root tastes like bitter perfume, and the tincture can be quite pleasant mixed into a slightly sweeter drink.

Here’s an herbalist's description of how to use the plant: https://www.theforagerspath.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Elecampane-Student-Monograph.pdf

Here’s herbalist Susun Weed's monograph on elecampane:

http://susunweed.com/herbal_ezine/june03/herbalmedicine.html