Elecampane Benefits: An Effective Herbal Remedy for All Walks of Life

For those of you that are more likely to support our bodies with remedies found in nature’s pharmacy rather than the corner store, it’s high time that you were introduced to elecampane.

A versatile plant steeped in history and tradition, elecampane offers both men and women an array of health benefits.

If you’re looking for a specific attribute or simply hoping to learn more about this remarkable herb, this is everything you need to know about elecampane and its many benefits.

What is Elecampane?

Elecampane, also known as horse-heal or wild sunflower, is a perennial herbaceous plant native to Europe and Asia. There are more than 100 types of plants in elecampane’s genus, but the one you are most likely to see in herbal remedies is known by its Latin name, Inula helenium, which can be easily recognized by its tall, sturdy stem and bright yellow flowers.

Elecampane is a widespread species, and these sunny wildflowers have been found thriving everywhere from Spain to China. As a result, elecampane has been cherished by many different cultures for centuries due to its medicinal properties. Its historical use by so many different types of people is a testament to the wealth of therapeutic potential found in nature's bounty.

Today, you can reap the benefits of elecampane through a number of different methods, such as through an herbal tea, tincture, or capsule supplement.

What are the Benefits of Elecampane?

Even with its lovely yellow flowers, elecampane is not exactly a gardener’s first choice for their flowerbeds. That being said, this plant shines when appreciated for its internal properties and helpful qualities as an herb. Elecampane benefits those from all walks of life, offering advantages like:

Respiratory System Support

Elecampane has been traditionally used as an herb to help support the respiratory system. It helps clear congestion, making it particularly beneficial for both men and women dealing with colds, coughs, or respiratory infections. This natural expectorant can ease breathing difficulties, promoting overall comfort and well-being.

One 2020 study found that elecampane is so effective at supporting the respiratory system that it can help reduce the inflammation and mucus-production in airways caused by cigarette smoke.

Anti-Inflammatory Properties

Elecampane benefits those who use it largely due to the herb’s powerful anti-inflammatory properties. Many people experience inflammation, which can lead to pain or soreness. Fortunately, elecampane’s anti-inflammatory properties may help, studies have found success using the herb to reduce inflammation and the symptoms it causes, especially when focused on the respiratory tract.

Elecampane’s anti-inflammatory properties paired with its respiratory supporting compounds make it an especially effective herb when dealing with a cold, cough, or allergies.

Antioxidant Properties

Though the term “antioxidant” is often used interchangeably with vitamins and other immune-supporting attributes, it actually refers to compounds that help regulate the movement and accumulation of free radicals—naturally produced in the body—that can result in oxidative stress.

Oxidative stress can manifest in the body in a number of ways, but one of elecampane’s many benefits is its antioxidant properties that can prevent it, as found by this 2019 study.

Aids in Digestion

Elecampane benefits both men and women by supporting healthy digestion, making it a powerful tool both before and after a meal. It can alleviate symptoms of indigestion, bloating, and gas. Its ability to promote the secretion of digestive juices aids in the breakdown of food, leading to more efficient nutrient absorption.

Antimicrobial and Antibacterial Properties

Surprisingly, elecampane has been found to harbor antimicrobial and antibacterial properties, which would have been completely unknown to our ancestors who traditionally used the herb.

One 2009 study found that when in test tubes, the compounds in elecampane actively fought against a strain of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. A 2012 study supports this, reporting that elecampane may not only fight bacteria, but can damage and kill it.

However, it is somewhat unclear if you can reap these elecampane benefits when consuming the herb, as these studies were done in controlled environments.