Elecampane Herb - Organic

Inula helenium
Open-pollinated. Perennial to Zone 3. Also known as Horseheal, Wild Sunflower and Elf Dock. Large dramatic plant grows 5–8' with 2–3" bright yellow rayed flowers, blooming May to August. An excellent lung tonic. Important to the ancient Greeks, said to have sprung from the tears of Helen of Troy, thus its botanical name. Mucilaginous root relaxes lungs and helps clear mucus, calms cough. Antibacterial and antifungal, also used for asthma, bronchitis, cough and flu, especially in children. Helpful for scabies, herpes and other skin disorders (an old name is Scabwort). Plan in heavy moist well-drained loam with generous helpings of compost. Dig root in mid fall. Zone 3. ~1,600 seeds/g. ①

This item is certified organic

4550 Elecampane -

Item	Discounted From	Quantity
A: 0.1g for $3.50
B: 0.3g for $5.25
C: 1.2g for $10.00

Additional Information

Herbs

See Herb Chart for uses and cultural information.

About medicinal herbs: Archeological evidence dates the medicinal use of herbs back 60,000 years to the Neanderthals. 85% of the world’s population employ herbs as medicines, and 40% of pharmaceuticals in the U.S. contain plant-derived materials. Fewer than 10% of higher plant species have been investigated for their medicinal components. Interest in traditional herbal remedies continues to grow.

Statements about medicinal use of plants have not been evaluated by the FDA, and should not be used for the diagnosis, treatment, cure or prevention of any ailment. Before using or ingesting any medicinal plant, consult a healthcare practitioner familiar with botanical medicine.

Takinagawa Burdock and Resina Calendula, as well as oats, mammoth red clover and alfalfa in the Farm Seed section, also have medicinal uses. Medicinal herbs such as black cohosh, licorice, and many more are available as plants, and shipped in the spring with orders from our Trees division.

Culture: Some herbs are customarily grown from divisions because they cannot come true from seed, such as scented thymes and flavored mints. Some require fall sowing of fresh seed, such as sweet cicely and angelica.

Using herbs: Drying herbs at home is not difficult. Whole leaves retain their flavor at least a year. To substitute fresh herbs for dried in cooking, use triple the dried quantity called for in a recipe.

Germination Testing

For the latest results of our germination tests, please see the germination page.

Our Seeds are Non-GMO

All of our seeds are non-GMO, and free of neonicotinoids and fungicides. Fedco is one of the original companies to sign the Safe Seed Pledge.