Elecampane

Elecampane (Inula helenium )

Elecampane (Inula helenium ) is a plant from the sunflower family ( Asteraceae). It has been used since ancient times as a medicinal and culinary herb.

Name

The plant bears depending on the region very different German trivial name. This includes Altkraut, Brustalant, intestinal herb, colon Wurz, precious root, bell Wurz, Helen herb Odinskopf and snake herb. Middle High German are alan, aland and alant occupied.

The Greek name of Elecampane is Ἑλένιον.

The botanical species name helenium alludes to two legends of antiquity. After one to Helena before she was kidnapped by Paris from Greece to Troy, her hands are filled with the flowers of this plant. According to another legend, the plant grew where Helena's tears wetted the ground. It is possible that the ancient name referring helénion but not mentioned in the Iliad Helena, but to Helene, a Minoan vegetation goddess.

Appearance

Elecampane is a up to two meters tall perennial herbaceous plant with showy yellow flower heads. It flowers from July to September. The up to 50 cm long leaves are occupied on the bottom with Filzhaaren. The strong rootstock has an aromatic odor. It contains a lot of inulin, a carbohydrate similar to the fruit sugar.

Origin and location requirements

Elecampane is originally from Minor and Central Asia. He is at home in Spain. Today, it is among other things cultivated in Germany, Holland and the Balkans. He prefers slightly moist, semi- shady locations.

Use

Spice

Elecampane is now rarely used in the kitchen. The root of Elecampane ( drug: Helenii radix) found since ancient times because of their bitter, resinous taste partly used as a flavoring for sweets and bitters. Horace describes in his eighth satire a dish of boiled Alantwurzeln and white turnips. Pliny the Elder suggested his readers to chew Alantwurzeln to refine the sense of taste, to stimulate digestion and to lighten the mood. The recipe collection De re coquinaria from the 4th century, which is to go back to the Roman gourmet Apicius and cooking, Elecampane counts even to the spices that must be present in a Roman household, "in that it lacked the seasoning to nothing." In the Edict of Diocletian, the price of Elecampane on 5 denarii was fixed for a pound. From the year 329 AD, there is evidence that in 1000 denarii per pound were paid.

Candied Elecampane has long been regarded as a delicacy. Since many people with allergies react to elecampane, Inula found almost exclusively in liqueurs use. Due to its mucolytic effect the elecampane root is also a component of some cough syrups.

Odor

Like a number of other plants used to the elecampane in the Middle Ages and in early modern times, to improve the room air. He was thrown on the coals in the open fireplaces.

Dye plant

The stained and bruised in urine elecampane root yields with potash and blueberries a blue dye.

Medicinal plant

Mostly used part is the root ( Helenii rhizoma ). Elecampane is one of the medicinal plants known since ancient times. In Theophrastus, Dioscorides and Pliny " Helenion " for coughs, stomach cramps and weakness is recommended.

Pliny ( Pliny 19.91 nat. ) Mentions that Livia, wife of Augustus, ate it every day - obviously she was 88 years old. Throughout the Middle Ages Elecampane was a highly valued medicinal plant, which was considered a panacea, especially in the form of Alantweins, which was also called " potio Paulina ". In Slavic languages ​​Elecampane ( glagol. оман ) was used as a cough suppressant.

In folk medicine, Elecampane was also very popular and has been used in conditions such as bronchial catarrh, coughs, flatulence, urinary retention, gastrointestinal complaints, jaundice, and worms. This is reported as Nicholas Culpeper in the 17th and Carl Linnaeus in the 18th century An ointment made ​​of elecampane root and lard was used externally against scabies, ulcers and eczema. Wounds and ulcers can be treated with fresh Alantblättern. In Transylvania and in the Spreewald of Elecampane was smoked with breast symptoms such as tobacco. In Moldova, Elecampane has been used in chest pain, cough and shortness of breath.

Today, the elecampane is especially true as a cough suppressant. The exact mode of effect has not yet been clarified. Possibly the essential oils that have the ejection promoting and easily anticonvulsant effect. As with many herbs, the dosage is also key to the elecampane. Larger amounts can cause vomiting, diarrhea, convulsions and paralysis.

Cultural History

Elecampane is already mentioned in äygptischen papyri. In Roman times Spain the plant after Isidore of Seville was known as ala. He describes the root as aromatic, the leaves as sharp.

Key Ingredients

Helenalin, alantolactone and other sesquiterpene lactones, polyacetylenes, inulin. Of inulin were first isolated in 1804 from the Elecampane, also Helenalin is named after the plant, and may have been isolated for the first time.

Elecampane in popular belief

The Elecampane has been involved in the consecration Busch, who is brought to the Assumption, August 15 for herbs consecration. In Sauerland so many Alantblüten be involved in the consecration bush herbs, like cows in the barn.

In popular belief, the elecampane was also considered dämonenabwehrend. In Styria, we burned incense on the Christmas evening with elecampane from the offices and stables. As the plant defense spell he is an old remedy for the plague. As an amulet worn around the neck, it should protect against Behexen.