College of Ayurvedic Diet & Digestion

College of Ayurvedic Diet & Digestion

 

AYURVEDIC HERB SUPPLEMENTS

Elecampane (Inula helenium)

Famous expectorant and antiseptic supporting any respiratory condition which produces copious mucus discharge.

How Does This Ayurvedic Herb Supplement Improve Wellness?

CLINICAL AYURVEDIC REVIEW

Elecampane is a famous expectorant and antiseptic supporting any respiratory condition which produces copious mucus discharge. The inulin in elecampagne coats and soothes bronchial passages, especially effective in swollen, inflamed bronchial tubes associated with asthma. Elecampagne reduces cleanses and thins lung congestion. It relaxes smooth muscle tissue of the trachea, quelling a cough. Volatile oils stimulate circulation while saponins quicken expulsion of mucus from the lungs.

It's bitter taste stimulates appetite and digestion, while it relaxes smooth muscle tissue of the digestive tract.

The Ayurvedic relative of elecampagne is called pushkaramool.

Metabolic Nature of Elecampane

See a complete list of all biocharacteristics.

METABOLIC NATURE

Metabolic Nature

Ayurveda assesses metabolic imbalances through 20 main biocharacteristics (gunas). Aggravating them weakens your body and causes imbalance. By knowing which biocharacteristics are habitually imbalanced in your body, you will be able to identify and correct metabolic imbalances before you get sick. Every biocharacteristic has an opposite which balances it (i.e. hot balances cold). You restore balance by favoring diet and lifestyle choices that increase the opposite biocharacteristic.

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GOOEY

ABOUT GOOEY BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Gooey is identified by anything gelatinous (such as oatmeal), or by mucus congestion.

LEARN MORE ABOUT GOOEY

HOT

ABOUT HOT BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Hot is identified by increased body temperature, metabolism, or inflammation.

LEARN MORE ABOUT HOT

MOBILE

ABOUT MOBILE BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Mobile refers to anything that stimulates the nervous system, muscles, or activity.

LEARN MORE ABOUT MOBILE

TASTES

The 6 Tastes

Taste is used to sense the most basic properties and effects of food. Each taste has a specific medicinal effect on your body. Cravings for food with certain tastes indicate your body is craving specific medicinal results from food. Taste is experienced on the tongue and represents your body's reaction to foods. Sweet taste causes physical satisfaction and attraction whereas bitter taste causes discomfort and aversion. Kapha should use less sweet taste while Vata and Pitta would benefit from using more sweet taste. One of the first signs of illness is that your taste and appetite for food changes. The six tastes are sweet, sour, salty, pungent, bitter, and astringent. Do you crave foods with any of the tastes below?

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ASTRINGENT

ABOUT ASTRINGENT BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Astringency is characterized by constriction, drawing together, or drying.

LEARN MORE ABOUT ASTRINGENT

BITTER

ABOUT BITTER BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Bitter taste has cholagogue action - it is cold, clear, light, and stimulating. It increases digestive enzymes and is laxative, and drying.

LEARN MORE ABOUT BITTER

PUNGENT

ABOUT PUNGENT BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Pungency is characterized by irritation, or sharp, spicy foods that irritate the mouth such as black pepper.

LEARN MORE ABOUT PUNGENT

SALTY

ABOUT SALTY BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Salty refers to anything with salt, or high mineral content.

LEARN MORE ABOUT SALTY

DOSHAS

The Three Doshas / Body Types

Ayurveda is a metabolic theory of medicine that explains individual health, tendencies, and disease patterns through the concept of doshas, which can be understood as your metabolic patterns and tendencies.

Each dosha reflects a distinct metabolic nature and describes strengths & weaknesses in bodily function, and how these affect energy levels, digestion, susceptibility to disease, and many other tendencies.

Your metabolic nature not only affects your physical characteristics, but also influences your mental thought patterns, confidence, and enthusiasm.

Ayurveda balances these metabolic strengths & weaknesses to support your body's vitality and prevent recurrent disease cycles. This support is a critical aid, especially in chronic or incurable disease conditions.

The 3 metabolic body types (doshas), are Catabolic (Vata), Metabolic (Pitta), and Anabolic (Kapha).

Through dosha, Ayurveda empowers people to identify metabolic imbalances early, break repetitive patterns of disease, and cultivate habits that support long-term vitality and well-being.

Ultimately, these metabolic patterns also provide a framework for understanding yourself, including body, mind, and spiritual tendencies.

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PACIFIES
Kapha pacifying Vata pacifying
AGGRAVATES
Pitta aggravating

GREEK MEDICINE / TEMPERAMENTS

The Four Temperaments / Humors

Ayurveda & Greek Medicine were the dominant form of medicine along the Silk Road from England to China and South Asia. They work by assessing your metabolic type, patterns, and nature. Greek medicine recognizes 4 metabolic temperaments, Melancholic, Choleric, Sanguine, and Phlegmatic.

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PACIFIES
MELANCHOLIC

ABOUT MELANCHOLIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Cold and dry with a slow, variable or erratic metabolism. Colicky, tense. Withdrawn, pensive, anxious, and hesitant. Analytical, intelligent, detail oriented and creative. Prone to ojas depletion, dehydration, an overactive nervous system, and depression.

LEARN MORE ABOUT MELANCHOLIC

PHLEGMATIC

ABOUT PHLEGMATIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

A Phlegmatic has a cold and wet metabolic nature. The coldness implies a slow metabolism, the moisture that you are well-nourished. Phlegmatics tend towards sluggishness and thickened fluids, including mucus.

LEARN MORE ABOUT PHLEGMATIC

AGGRAVATES
CHOLERIC

ABOUT CHOLERIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Has a hot and dry metabolic nature. Enthusiastic, vibrant and bright. In excess burns up fluids and ojas, irritable. Corresponds to high bilirubin in the blood that irritates and heats up the body and liver.

LEARN MORE ABOUT CHOLERIC

SANGUINE

ABOUT SANGUINE BIOCHARACTERISTIC

A hot and oily nature with a moderate metabolism and a well nourished body makes Sanguine individuals vigorous, vivacious, outgoing and generous, and prone to impulsivity and self indulgence. Bullish and intense when out of balance.

LEARN MORE ABOUT SANGUINE

Other

Acrid

ACRID

Acrid taste is a combination of bitter and pungent tastes. Example include radish, turnip, and coffee.

SEE ALL 'ACRID' FOODS / HERBS

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Aromatic

AROMATIC

Herbs or spices with volatile essential oils that present strong aromas. Aromatic oils shock, refresh and numb tissue, with the end result of relaxing, opening and clearing stagnant fluids in tissues.

SEE ALL 'AROMATIC' FOODS / HERBS

Medicinal Benefits, Uses & Herbal Actions of Elecampane
Experiences are Personal
Experiences vary according to the person and constitution. Individual results may vary. The list of herbal-actions below has not be approved by the FDA and should not be used to treat a medical condition.

(see all)
Digestive

DIGESTIVE

Herbs that encourage healthy digestion.

SEE ALL 'DIGESTIVE' FOODS / HERBS

Analgesic

ANALGESIC

Pain reliever, reduces pain without eliminating sensation. Also known as anodyne.

SEE ALL 'ANALGESIC' FOODS / HERBS

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Brain Tonic

BRAIN-TONIC

An herb that strengthens the brain and thereby enhances memory or other cognitive functions and improves mental stamina or stability.

SEE ALL 'BRAIN-TONIC' FOODS / HERBS

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Cholinergic

CHOLINERGIC

Increases acetylcholine production or uptake, improving nerve health, memory, mood, coordination, and protecting neurons.

SEE ALL 'CHOLINERGIC' FOODS / HERBS

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Neuroprotective

NEUROPROTECTIVE

Repairs / restores damaged nerves. Protects nerve health.

SEE ALL 'NEUROPROTECTIVE' FOODS / HERBS

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Sedative

SEDATIVE

Sedative herbs create a sense of calm in the mind and body by specifically calming or quieting the nervous system. Excellent for anxiety, stress and chronic pain.

SEE ALL 'SEDATIVE' FOODS / HERBS

Stimulates Energy

STIMULATES-ENERGY

This category groups thyroid and adrenal stimulating herbs.

SEE ALL 'STIMULATES-ENERGY' FOODS / HERBS

Diaphoretic

DIAPHORETIC

An herb that induces sweating, often by dilating blood vessels close to the skin.

SEE ALL 'DIAPHORETIC' FOODS / HERBS

Antitussive

ANTITUSSIVE

Cough suppressant, particularly for dry coughs or a tickle in your throat.

SEE ALL 'ANTITUSSIVE' FOODS / HERBS

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Bronchodilator

BRONCHODILATOR

An herb that encourages the widening or opening of the lung airways. They are helpful in wheezing and asthma.

SEE ALL 'BRONCHODILATOR' FOODS / HERBS

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Expectorant

EXPECTORANT

Expectorants help you eliminate mucus from the lungs. These herbs often work by increasing the quantity of mucus, or thinning the mucus. Expectorants are indicated when phlegm congests the lower respiratory tract.

SEE ALL 'EXPECTORANT' FOODS / HERBS

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Lung Tonic

LUNG-TONIC

Strengthens the lungs. Lung tonics include antifibrotic, vessel tonic, or nourishing herbs with an affinity for the lungs. They aid recovery in acute or chronic lung conditions.

SEE ALL 'LUNG-TONIC' FOODS / HERBS

Anthelminthic

ANTHELMINTHIC

Kills parasitic worms (hookworms, tapeworms, roundworms, etc).

SEE ALL 'ANTHELMINTHIC' FOODS / HERBS

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Antipoisonous

ANTIPOISONOUS

An antidote for a poison. Many anti-poisonous herbs draw out a poison and are good for insect bites. Others help burn it up.

SEE ALL 'ANTIPOISONOUS' FOODS / HERBS

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Antiseptic

ANTISEPTIC

Capable of preventing infection by inhibiting the growth of microorganisms. Helpful in infections and for those with weak immune systems.

SEE ALL 'ANTISEPTIC' FOODS / HERBS

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Immune Stimulant

IMMUNE-STIMULANT

Stimulates and strengthens the immune system. Helpful when fighting off a cold or flu.

SEE ALL 'IMMUNE-STIMULANT' FOODS / HERBS

Cardiac Stimulant

CARDIAC-STIMULANT

Herbs that increase the heart rate. Useful in cardiovascular health, blood stagnation, and subjective feeling of heaviness in the chest area.

SEE ALL 'CARDIAC-STIMULANT' FOODS / HERBS

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Alterative

ALTERATIVE

Restores the proper function of the body by cleansing the blood and balancing blood chemistry. In Ayurveda terms, they pacify Pitta in rakta. They were traditionally used to revitalize and detoxify after a long winter.

SEE ALL 'ALTERATIVE' FOODS / HERBS

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Styptic

STYPTIC

A herb that contracts tissue or blood vessels. Generally styptics are astringent. They are often used topically as a hemostatic to stop bleeding, or to reduce secretions.

SEE ALL 'STYPTIC' FOODS / HERBS

Diuretic

DIURETIC

Herbs that promote urine formation, thereby flushing the kidneys and urinary tract while eliminating any excess water retention. As diuretics reduce water retention, they are often used to reduce blood pressure.

SEE ALL 'DIURETIC' FOODS / HERBS

Stimulant Parturient

STIMULANT-PARTURIENT

Used to induce labor when labor is stalled due to weak or ineffective contractions. Includes both stimulants and oxytocic parturients.

SEE ALL 'STIMULANT-PARTURIENT' FOODS / HERBS

Bone Tonic

BONE-TONIC

An herb that strengthens the bones and joints.

SEE ALL 'BONE-TONIC' FOODS / HERBS

Muscle Relaxant

MUSCLE-RELAXANT

Herbs that relax muscles. Helpful for chronic pain or tension as well as healing from physical trauma.

SEE ALL 'MUSCLE-RELAXANT' FOODS / HERBS

Foods with a Similar Nature to Elecampane

  • Sage

    Sage has these Actions in Common

    Analgesic, Cholinergic, Expectorant, Stimulant-parturient, Antiseptic, Diaphoretic, Immune-stimulant, Stimulates-energy, Bronchodilator, Digestive, Neuroprotective

    LEARN MORE

  • Rosemary

    Rosemary has these Actions in Common

    Muscle-relaxant, Analgesic, Bronchodilator, Diaphoretic, Neuroprotective, Anthelminthic, Cardiac-stimulant, Digestive, Stimulates-energy, Brain-tonic, Cholinergic

    LEARN MORE

  • Mustard Powder

    Mustard Powder has these Actions in Common

    Antiseptic, Diaphoretic, Expectorant, Bronchodilator, Digestive, Muscle-relaxant, Analgesic, Cardiac-stimulant, Diuretic, Stimulates-energy

    LEARN MORE

  • Mustard

    Mustard has these Actions in Common

    Analgesic, Cardiac-stimulant, Diuretic, Stimulates-energy, Antiseptic, Diaphoretic, Expectorant, Bronchodilator, Digestive, Muscle-relaxant

    LEARN MORE

  • Mustard Seed

    Mustard Seed has these Actions in Common

    Bronchodilator, Digestive, Muscle-relaxant, Analgesic, Cardiac-stimulant, Diuretic, Stimulates-energy, Antiseptic, Diaphoretic, Expectorant

    LEARN MORE

  • Fennel Seeds

    Fennel Seeds has these Actions in Common

    Stimulates-energy, Analgesic, Cardiac-stimulant, Expectorant, Antitussive, Digestive, Lung-tonic, Brain-tonic, Diuretic

    LEARN MORE

  • Daikon Radish

    Daikon Radish has these Actions in Common

    Cardiac-stimulant, Diuretic, Lung-tonic, Diaphoretic, Expectorant, Stimulates-energy, Bronchodilator, Digestive, Immune-stimulant

    LEARN MORE

  • Cardamom

    Cardamom has these Actions in Common

    Analgesic, Digestive, Lung-tonic, Bronchodilator, Diuretic, Stimulates-energy, Diaphoretic, Expectorant

    LEARN MORE

  • Saffron

    Saffron has these Actions in Common

    Digestive, Sedative, Antipoisonous, Diuretic, Stimulates-energy, Diaphoretic, Neuroprotective, Styptic

    LEARN MORE

  • Cinnamon

    Cinnamon has these Actions in Common

    Diaphoretic, Expectorant, Analgesic, Digestive, Stimulates-energy, Cardiac-stimulant, Diuretic, Styptic

    LEARN MORE

  • Turmeric Root (Fresh)

    Turmeric Root (Fresh) has these Actions in Common

    Analgesic, Bone-tonic, Neuroprotective, Anthelminthic, Brain-tonic, Alterative, Antipoisonous, Digestive

    LEARN MORE

Herbs & Supplements with a Similar Nature to Elecampane

  • Angelica

    Angelica has these Actions in Common

    Digestive, Expectorant, Immune-stimulant, Lung-tonic, Analgesic, Stimulant-parturient, Bronchodilator, Stimulates-energy, Cardiac-stimulant, Diaphoretic

    LEARN MORE

  • Punarnava

    Punarnava has these Actions in Common

    Diuretic, Lung-tonic, Alterative, Stimulates-energy, Antipoisonous, Antitussive, Bronchodilator, Cardiac-stimulant, Digestive

    LEARN MORE

  • Holy Basil Leaf (Tulsi)

    Holy Basil Leaf (Tulsi) has these Actions in Common

    Sedative, Bronchodilator, Stimulates-energy, Cardiac-stimulant, Diaphoretic, Diuretic, Expectorant, Lung-tonic, Muscle-relaxant

    LEARN MORE

  • Echinacea

    Echinacea has these Actions in Common

    Analgesic, Antipoisonous, Antiseptic, Diaphoretic, Digestive, Diuretic, Immune-stimulant, Alterative

    LEARN MORE

  • Pennyroyal

    Pennyroyal has these Actions in Common

    Digestive, Diuretic, Expectorant, Muscle-relaxant, Analgesic, Antipoisonous, Cardiac-stimulant, Diaphoretic

    LEARN MORE

  • Lemon Balm

    Lemon Balm has these Actions in Common

    Muscle-relaxant, Neuroprotective, Sedative, Stimulates-energy, Analgesic, Brain-tonic, Cholinergic, Diaphoretic

    LEARN MORE

  • Dong Quai

    Dong Quai has these Actions in Common

    Bronchodilator, Cardiac-stimulant, Digestive, Expectorant, Muscle-relaxant, Stimulant-parturient, Stimulates-energy, Analgesic

    LEARN MORE

  • Ashwagandha

    Ashwagandha has these Actions in Common

    Alterative, Analgesic, Bone-tonic, Brain-tonic, Diuretic, Muscle-relaxant, Neuroprotective, Sedative

    LEARN MORE

  • Ashoka

    Ashoka has these Actions in Common

    Alterative, Analgesic, Diuretic, Immune-stimulant, Muscle-relaxant, Sedative, Styptic

    LEARN MORE

  • Kushta

    Kushta has these Actions in Common

    Diaphoretic, Digestive, Diuretic, Expectorant, Immune-stimulant, Antiseptic, Bronchodilator

    LEARN MORE


Joyful Belly is a recognized college of biocharacteristics medicine.

Guidelines - Preparation & Dose

1 dropper full 2x/day or as directed by your practitioner.
See guidelines for tinctures?

TRADITIONALLY INDICATED FOR
THESE SYMPTOMS

Elecampane may be beneficial for these symptoms. The suitability of any herb supplement for a condition is highly dependent on the individual. Please see your doctor before using this herb supplement to treat a medical condition.

CONTRAINDICATED FOR
THESE SYMPTOMS

Elecampane may be harmful or contraindicated for these symptoms. Note this is not a complete list of all possible contraindications. Please see your doctor before using this herb supplement to treat a medical condition.

Herb Drug Interaction Risk

Here are some potential herb drug interactions with Elecampane. Please see your health care provider for more information.

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* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The information and products on this website are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.