The Lost Book of Herbal Remedies Use elecampane for poor digestion, poor absorption, poor appetite, mucus in the digestive system, excess gas, and lethargy or sluggishness of the digestive system. Elecampane strengthens digestion and improves absorption which is beneficial in malnourished or undernourished patients. It also treats nausea and diarrhea.
Type 2 Diabetes: The high inulin content in elecampane is helpful for patients with high blood sugar and for type 2 diabetes patients. Inulin slows down sugar metabolism, reduces blood glucose spikes and decreases insulin resistance. It may also reduce inflammation associated with diabetes.
Intestinal Parasites: Elecampane is a vermifuge that eliminates intestinal parasites from the body, including hookworm, roundworm, threadworm, and whipworm.
Cancer: Elecampane contains alantolactone and isoalantolactone, which have been shown to help with programmed cell death (apoptosis) for certain cancers.
Harvesting: Harvest fresh elecampane root in the fall after the plant has produced seed, or in the early spring before leaves appear. I prefer roots that are two to three years old. Older roots are too woody, and younger roots lack their full medicinal potential. It is best to dig up some of the larger horizontal roots and
leave the remaining roots so the plant can continue growing.
Warning: Large doses of elecampane can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Avoid use of elecampane during pregnancy since it can cause contractions and is a uterine stimulant. Skin rashes have been reported in sensitive people. Persons with known allergies to plants in the Aster family should avoid using elecampane. Elecampane can lower blood sugar and could interfere with blood sugar control in diabetics. There are indications that elecampane may interfere with blood pressure control in some patients. Monitor blood pressure carefully while using elecampane. Do not use elecampane within 2 weeks before or after a scheduled surgery. It may cause drowsiness – no not use with sedatives.
Evening Primrose, Oenothera biennis Evening primrose is also known as evening star and sun drop. Evening primrose gets its name because its flowers usually open at dusk, after the sun is no longer on them. It grows in eastern and central North America and has naturalized to Europe. It is in the Onagraceae (Evening Primrose) Family.
Identification: Oenothera biennis is a biennial plant. In its first year, the leaves can grow up to 10 inches (25 cm) long. Leaves are lance-shaped, toothed, and form a rosette. In its second year, the flower stem has alternate, spirally-arranged leaves on a hairy, rough flower stem that is often tinged with purple.
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The leaves are reminiscent of willow leaves. This erect flower stem sometimes branches near the top of the plant and grows from 3 to 6 feet (0.9m to 1.8m) tall. It flowers from June to October.
