INULA, ELECAMPANE; a genus of the polygamia superflua order, belonging to the syngenia class of plants. There are 22 species, of which the helenium, or common elecampane, is the most remarkable. It is a native of Britain; but is cultivated in gardens for the sake of the root, which is used in medicine. The root is perennial, thick, branching, and of a strong odour. The lower leaves are eight or nine inches long, and four broad in the middle, rough on their upper side, but downy on the under side. The stalks rise about four feet high, and divide toward the top into several smaller branches, garnished with oblong oval leaves indented on their edges, ending in acute points. Each branch is crowned with one large yellow radiated flower, succeeded by narrow four-cornered seeds, covered with down. It may be propagated in autumn by seeds or offsets.
Medicinal Uses, &c. The root of elecampane, ex-
Inundatæ specially when dry, has an agreeable aromatic smell; its taste, on chewing, is glutinous, and as it were somewhat rancid; in a little time it discovers an aromatic bitterness, which by degrees becomes considerably acrid and pungent. It possesses the general virtues of alexipharmacs; and is principally recommended for promoting expectoration in humoral asthmas and coughs. Liberally taken, it is said to excite urine, and to loosen the belly. In some parts of Germany, large quantities of this root are candied, and used as a stomachic for strengthening the tone of the viscera in general, and for attenuating tenacious juices. Spirituous liquors extract its virtues in greater perfection than watery ones. The former scarce elevate any thing in distillation: with the latter an essential oil arises, which concretes into white flakes; this possesses at first the flavour of the elecampane, but is very apt to lose it in keeping. Outwardly applied, a decoction of it is said to cure the itch. The root bruised and macerated in urine with balls of ashes and whortleberries, dyes a blue colour.