My Inula /Elecampane patch is reviving itself from the winter slumber which is super exciting. I often have dreams about this statuesque, powerful, pungent beauty.
I am watching her vibrant, green leaves return, happy in the knowledge that she will stand 9 feet tall at her tallest in the hight of the summer months.
Inula is part of the Daisy family recognisable by her composite, flower heads. I have harevsted and created medicine from this incredible plant for many years, as my son Harry, now 21 years old, was diagnosed with Asthma at 2 years old.
I put him on a mix of Inula, Thyme, Hyssop and Liquorice and his ‘Asthma’ soon disappeared. This mix along with some others now forms the basis of our Lung Tonic Tincture. This tonic along with a Breathe Easy tea, has help loads of folks to get rid of their inhalers. Woo hoo.
Inula is a relaxant so is also indicated when there is a nervous component in a cough. Harry’s original cough was really persistant. I remember going to see a film with him and he literally, coughed throughout! The plant’s bitter tonic properties stimulate the appetite and digestion, increasing the flow of bile, so used in IBS and other digestive complaints as well.
It is also an emmenogue promoting menstruation and can be used to treat anaemia
The Roots looked like Stone Aged Clubs and we have had plenty of fun over the years waving them around, during our ritual Autumnal New Moon harvest.
