day had passed away when they realized they were lost in the thick timber brush. Wandering in various directions they happily found a lonely farmhouse of prosperous condition. As they approached closer they saw an old gentleman, who had been crying, sitting on the porch. When the king asked why, he explained he slipped and fell while carrying his grandfather from one room to another, and his father was angry for such misbehaviour and beat him. The king listened suspiciously and then entered the house. To his surprise he observed elders of advanced generations peacefully talking and going about their daily routine. After talking, and observing the family, he inquired how they kept in such good health to advancing years. They told the king that for as long as they could remember they had only eaten simple food, salt, home-prepared bread, milk and cheese, with emphasis on Elderberries. As in name, legend and story, grateful people of all continents and in all times admire and appreciate virtues of herbs. The same herb in different countries and used, of course, by different people have come to the same objective, whether it be useful or dangerous. Many such simple things will not be accepted by stories, or experience alone. It seems when tested scientifically and given allopathic approval, only then will thoughts be changed.
ELECAMPANE Inula helenium, L.( N. O.: Compositae)
Common Names: Elf Dock, Scabwort, Velvet Dock, Aunee. Features: Native of Europe and north Asia, and now naturalized over much of eastern North America. This stout perennial herb, of the sunflower family( Compositae), thrives in moist, sandy, mountainous areas. The stems are vigorous, 3 – 4 ft. high, downy above, and branched. The leaves are large, ovate and toothed, the upper ones clasping the stem, the lower ones stalked. The flower heads are golden yellow, large, solitary, and with narrow rays, blooming in July and August. The root is slightly grey, hard, horny and cylindrical, and should be dug in the autumn of the second year, usually split into longitudinal, oblique pieces having one or more roots. The whole plant is similar in appearance to the horseradish.
The main component of the root is a carbohydrate, inulin, which in the autumn may comprise as much as 45 per cent of its weight; its taste is bitter and acrid and the odour reminiscent of camphor. Medicinal Part: The root. Solvents: Alcohol, water( partially). Bodily Influence: Stimulant, Diaphoretic, Diuretic, Expectorant, Emmenagogue, Tonic. Uses: Elecampane is a constitutional treatment for general catarrhal conditions such as chronic pulmonary affections that have symptoms of cough, shortness of breath, wheezing in the lungs, a specific for whooping cough in children, diseases of the breast and malignant fevers, hepatic torpor, dyspepsia, and the feeling of stitches in the side caused by the spleen. This well-known root strengthens, cleanses and tones up the pulmonary and gastric membranes, encouraging a more harmonious metabolism by assisting the pancreas with the large amount of natural inulin contained in the root, and valued in incipient tuberculosis.
Culpeper also used Elecampane for intestinal worms, retention of water, to lessen tooth decay, and for firming the gums. A personal opinion but one which we believe to be true, is that inulin decreases excessive sugar in the blood— and sugar causes tooth decay. Hurray for Culpeper! Dose: Of the powder, from 1 scruple to 1 dram; the decoction, 1 oz. to 1 pint of boiling water taken in wineglassful doses. Mixes well with other herbs. Homoeopathic Clinical: Tincture of fresh root dug in autumn of the second year— Back ache, Cough,