Therapeutic Uses
- Intestinal Parasites – Elecampane contains a chemical called alantolactone that really does help expel intestinal parasites. The herb also kills some bacteria and fungi, adding to its potential therapeutic action in the intestine.
- Bronchitis & Pneumonia – Elecampane contains inulin, a mucilage-like polysaccharide that may coat the linings of the bronchial passages. The herb’s essential oil is antibacterial.
Medicinal Uses: *Asthma *Bronchitis *Coughing, Esp. that Caused by Tuberculosis *Diarrhea *Expectorant *Improves Stomach Function *Kills Intestinal Worms (Hookworm, Roundworm, Threadworm, Whipworm) *Lung Diseases *Nausea *Promotes Sweating *Reduces Inflammation *Whooping Cough
Side Effects: Large amounts of elecampane can cause vomiting, diarrhea, spasms, and paralysis. It’s likely unsafe to take elecampane if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. Avoid use. Elecampane may cause an allergic reaction in people who are sensitive to the Asteraceae/Compositae plant family. Members of this family include ragweed, chrysanthemums, marigolds, daisies, and many others. Elecampane may interfere with blood sugar control. If you have diabetes and use elecampane, monitor your blood sugar carefully. Elecampane might interfere with blood pressure control. If you have blood pressure problems and use elecampane, monitor your blood pressure carefully. Elecampane affects the central nervous system and can cause sleepiness. There is a concern that it might cause too much sleepiness if combined with anesthesia and other medications used during and after surgery. Stop using elecampane at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.
Drug Interactions: Elecampane might cause sleepiness and drowsiness. Taking elecampane along with sedative medications (clonazepam (Klonopin), lorazepam (Ativan), phenobarbital (Donnatal), zolpidem (Ambien), and others) might cause too much sleepiness.
