Elecampane Seeds
Inula helenium
 
Also known as horse-heal, alanroot or elfdock. Produces huge banana-like leaves with shaggy yellow daisy-like flowers on tall flower stalks. Makes a nice background herb. The Romans made a candied sweetmeat from the roots which are anti-bacterial and anti-fungal.
 
Today: Elecampane is used in herbal medicine as an expectorant, anti-tussive, diaphoretic, hepatic, anti-microbial, tonic, alternative, carminative, astringent, vermifuge.
 
Forms: Infusion, tincture, glycerite, or honey. The marc from making honey can be slowly roasted in a low oven to produce delicious candied roots.
 
Parts used: Roots are harvested from mature plants in fall, and crowns replanted for the next year.