Elecampane (Inula helenium) is an herbaceous perennial of the Aster family, native to Europe, Western Asia and the Eastern United States. Elecampane can be a large somewhat imposing presence! It can grow up to six feet tall with long, broad, oblong leaves that can be 10 to 18 inches wide and up to 4 inches across. The leaves are rough on one side and soft and wooly on the other. Its yellow-gold flowers bloom all summer and are also big and bold: 2-4 inches wide with a shock of skinny yellow petals around the edges. Elecampane has a long history of medicinal use, with the ancient Greeks and Romans counting it as one of their most important herbs for supporting the digestive and respiratory systems. It has also been used similarly by numerous indigenous people in the Americas, as well as in Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine. Elecampane has often been used at the end of a cold or occasional respiratory infection to help restore clear breathing. Dried Elecampane Root has a bitter, earthy flavor and can be decocted for a tea or prepared as a tincture or syrup. 

Precautions: Large amounts may cause digestive upset. We recommend that you consult with a qualified healthcare practitioner before using herbal products, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, or on any medications.