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.