Natural source of Inulin - Horse-heal (Inula helenium L.)

This plant, also called Elecampane grows in shady places around rivers and forests.

It is perennial plant, around 5 foot tall with slightly hairy stem and leaves. The roots are multiheaded and thick with tuber-like areas. The plant blooms between July and August with yellow blossoms.

Very good for:

• Stopping cough with viral or bacterial origin (Bronchitis, common cold, Influenza, Tuberculosis)
• Calming pain from gastritis or ulcer.
• Calming pain from female period.
• Calming pain from gallbladder spasm (gallbladder stones).
• Calming itchy skin (hives, scabies) or painful sore hemorrhoids. (One tablespoon of the crushed root is soaked 1:10 in olive or sunflower oil for one week. The extract is then applied to the inflamed area.)

Other uses include rinsing the mouth with Horse-heal oil extract for tooth ache.

It was also used to feed the cattle for more milk and to protect the embryo from abortion or early delivery. (Hence the name - Horse-heal)

Gathering the useful part

Only underground part can be used. Roots and tubers are dug up in Spring (March) or mid Autumn (October). Only the young roots are extracted and enough is left for new plants to grow from.

The gathered roots are washed and sliced, then dried in shadow with temperature no more than 40 Celsius (104F). When dry, the root slices have brown skin and dry core with black dots. The smell is very pleasant, but the taste is very bitter.

Keep in paper bag, far from sunlight.

Decoction preparation

One tablespoon crushed roots are boiled for 10 minutes in half litre of water (about one pint).

Divide the herbal decoction for 3-4 takes per day, before meals.

Also - Alcohol extract is made with red wine and crushed roots. Take 100 grams finely crushed roots in a bottle of wine (1 liter). Shake few times every day for 1 week.

Take 1 coffee cup before meals. Rinse and then swallow.

It is also applicable for children with growing or falling teeth that tolerate small quantities of wine for rinsing. Let the kid take one tablespoon of the herbal wine and rinse the mouth with it before meals.