Elecampane

Elecampane (Inula Helenium), a perennial composite plant, native of Western Asia and Southern and Central Europe, occurred as an escape in England. Its stem is from three to five feet high, and its heads of yellow florets are two inches across. The root, the radix inulae of pharmacy, is thick, branched, mucilaginous, aromatic, and bitter, with a camphor-like smell. Besides inulin (q.v.), an isomer of starch, it contains two crystallisable substances, helenin (C₆H₈O₀) and alantcamphor (C₁₀H₁₆O). It was formerly used as a medicine, and, when preserved in sugar as a condiment, being an aromatic tonic thought good for coughs, stitch, etc. It is now mainly used in the manufacture of absinthe and in veterinary medicine.