Elecampane is in the sunflower family, touting sunflower-like yellow narrow ray petals that are delicate yet balanced in their appearance. Many use the flower essence of Elecampane to rise tall in confidence, improve feelings of self worth, claim newfound strength, power, and wisdom from the higher realms.
Elecampane is a Southern European remedy brought over by colonists and then put to use by Native Americans for coughs and as an expectorant for drying out green or yellow mucus and other lung related infections. The aromatic yet bitter root of Elecampane is rich in inulin, a prebiotic fiber that feeds beneficial gut bacteria, making it a wonderful digestive remedy as well as lung tonic. Those with pneumonia or bronchitis find dramatic improvements in only a few days.
Decocting the root for 30 mins or more produces a therapeutic grade herbal tea that can be tasted and consumed to activate the bitter taste receptor sites in the body. We now know that humans have bitter taste receptor sites in our GI tract, lung, heart, and brains which are all activated and balanced by starting on the tongue.
One of my greatest teachers, Richard Mandelbaum, AHG, would suggest that stimulating the bitter taste receptor sites in the lungs via herbal medicine is much stronger than any synthetic pharmaceutical for lasting healing results.
Elecampane has the ability to combat dampness not only in the gut, but the mind as well. Some say it calms the mind, and cutting edge chefs are even cooking with it due to its complex flavor and aroma!
