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Herbs & Supplements

Horse-elder
Scientific Name: Elecampane
Other Names: Alant, Elf Dock, Elfwort, Horseheal, Inula helenium, Pushkarmoola, Scabwort, Velvet Dock, Wild Sunflower, Yellow Starwort

References

Aalto-Korte K, Alanko K, Kuuliala O, Jolanki R. Late reactions in patch tests: a 4-year review from a clinic of occupational dermatology. Contact Dermatitis. 2007;56(2):81-86.

Aberer W. Contact allergy and medicinal herbs. Journal Der Deutsche Dermatologischen Gesellschaft. 2008;6(1):15-24.

Al-Gammal SY. Elecampane and Job's disease. Bulletin of the Indian Institute of Historical Medicine at Hyderabad. 1998;28(1):7-11.

Bai N, Lai CS, He K, et al. Sesquiterpene lactones from Inula britannica and their cytotoxic and apoptotic effects on human cancer cell lines. Journal of Natural Products. 2006;69(4):531-535.

Cantrell CL, Abate L, Fronczek FR, Franzblau SG, Quijano L, Fischer NH. Antimycobacterial eudesmanolides from Inula helenium and Rudbeckia subtomentosa. Planta Medica. 1999;65(4):351-355.

Carabin IG, Flamm WG. Evaluation of safety of inulin and oligofructose as dietary fiber. Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology. 1999;30(3):268-282.

Chen CN, Huang HH, Wu CL, et al. Isocostunolide, a sesquiterpene lactone, induces mitochondrial membrane depolarization and caspase-dependent apoptosis in human melanoma cells. Cancer Letters. Epublished ahead of print May 10, 2006.

Dorn DC, Alexenizer M, Hengstler JG, Dorn A. Tumor cell specific toxicity of Inula helenium extracts. Phytotherapy Research. 2006;20(11):970-980.

Flamm G, Glinsmann W, Kritchevsky D, Prosky L, Roberfroid M. Inulin and oligofructose as dietary fiber: a review of the evidence. Critical Review of Food Science and Nutrition. 2001;41(5):353-362.

Grieve M. Elecampane. In: A Modern Herbal. New York: Dover Publishers, 1971. Available at: http://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/mgmh.html Posted 1995. Accessed May 27, 2003.

Grizard D, Barthomeuf C. Non-digestible oligosaccharides used as prebiotic agents: mode of production and beneficial effects on animal and human health. Reproductive Nutrition and Development. 1999;39(5-6):563-588.

Gruenwald J, Brendler T, Jaenicke C, eds. PDR for Herbal Medicines, 2nd edition. Montvale, NJ:Medical Economics Company, Inc; 2000.

Haughton C. Inula helenium (L). Revised September 23, 2002. Available at: http://www.purplesage.org.uk/profiles/elecampane.htm. Accessed May 27, 2003.

HealthNotes, Inc. Elecampane. 2002. Available at: http://www.mycustompak.com/healthNotes/Herb/Elecampane.htm Accessed May 27, 2003.

Hofbauer S, Kainz V, Golser L, et al. Antiproliferative properties of padma lax and its components ginger and elecampane. Forsch Komplementarmed. 2006;13(Suppl 1):18-22.

Hoffmann DL. Elecampane. Herbal Materia Medica. No date given. Available at: http://www.healthy.net/asp/templates/article.asp?PageType=article&ID=1889. Accessed May 27, 2003.

Jellin JM, Gregory P, Batz F, Hitchens K, et al, eds. Pharmacist's Letter/Prescriber's Letter. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, 3rd Edition. Stockton CA: Therapeutic Research Facility, 2000.

Jenkins DJ, Kendall CW, Vuksan V. Inulin, oligofructose and intestinal function. Journal of Nutrition. 1999;129(Suppl):1431S-1433S.

Lim SS, Kim JR, Lim HA, et al. Induction of detoxifying enzyme by sesquiterpenes present in Inula helenium. Journal of Medicinal Food. 2007;10(3):503-510.

Konishi T, Shimada Y, Nagao T, Okabe H, Konoshima T. Antiproliferative sesquiterpene lactones from the roots of Inula helenium. Biology and Pharmacology Bulletin. 2002;25(10):1370-1372.

Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, Online Edition. Pharmacist's Letter/Prescriber's Letter. Stockton CA: Therapeutic Research Facility, 2006. Available at: http://www.pharmacistsletter.com/(S(ulqz3s45omt3ag55um4kj345))/home.aspx?li=1&st=1&cs=&s=ND.

Paulsen E. Contact sensitization from Compositae-containing herbal remedies and cosmetics. Contact Dermatitis. 2002;47(4):189-198.

Paulsen E, Andersen KE, Hausen BM. Sensitization and cross-reaction patterns in Danish Compositae-allergic patients. Contact Dermatitis. 2001;45(4):197-204.

Peirce A. The American Pharmaceutical Association Practical Guide to Natural Medicines. New York: Stonesong Press; 1999.

Shan JJ, Yang M, Ren JW. Anti-diabetic and hypolipidemic effects of aqueous-extract from the flower of Inula japonica in alloxan-induced diabetic mice. Biological and Pharmaceutical Bulletin. 2006;29(3):455-459.

Last Revised April 11, 2008

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Note: The above information is not intended to replace the advice of your physician, pharmacist, or other healthcare professional. It is not meant to indicate that the use of the product is safe, appropriate, or effective for you.

In general, herbal products are not subject to review or approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). They are not required to be standardized, meaning that the amounts of active ingredients or contaminants they contain may vary between brands or between different batches of the same brand. Not all of the risks, side effects, or interactions associated with the use of herbal products are known because few reliable studies of their use in humans have been done.

This information is provided for your education only. Please share this information with your healthcare provider and be sure that you talk to your doctor and pharmacist about all the prescription and non-prescription medicines you take before you begin to use any herbal product.

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References