Botanical name: Inula helenium Other names: elf wort, horse heal Family: asteraceae Part Used: root Taste (rasa): bitter, pungent Characteristic (guna): light, unctuous & penetrating Energy (veerya): heating Post digestive effect (vipak): pungent Dosha effect: decrease vata & kapha. Increases pitta Action (karma): anthelmintic, expectorant, antibacterial, diuretic, analgesic, digestive tonic, antiseptic, alterative, diaphoretic, astringent, stimulant, vulnerary, cholagogue Dose: simmer gently 2 teaspoons of root per cup of water for 20 minutes, use as required. Can be gargled for sore throats

In herbal medicine it is chiefly used for coughs and pulmonary complaints, being a favorite remedy for bronchitis. It has been employed for many years with good results in chest affections and chronic diseases of the lungs, asthma and bronchitis. Elecampane is also a diuretic, an antibacterial and a digestive. The root is used to make a blue dye. 

Ref: ‘Ayurvedic Medicine by Sebastian Pole; ‘Ayurvedic Pharmacology & Therapeutic Uses of Medicinal Plants’ by Vaidya V.M. Gogte; ‘Yogi of Herbs’ by V. Lad & D. Frawley; ‘Herbs Are Special’ by Isabel Shipard.