ELECAMPANE ELM. 97 



ELECAMPANE. Inula Helenium, Linn. 



N.O. Composite. 

 Syn. Scabwort, Aunee (Fr.) 



Part used Root. 



Action Diaphoretic, diuretic, expectorant. Is used 

 principally in combination with other remedies for 

 cough, consumption, and pulmonary disorders generally. 

 It is also alterative and tonic. The decoction of i ounce 

 to a pint of boiling water is taken in wineglassful doses. 



Preparations Powdered root: Dose, -1 drachm. 

 Fluid extract: Dose, ^-i drachm. Inulin : Dose, 1-3 

 grains. 



Distinctive character Roots light grey, hard, horny, 

 in cylindrical pieces of varying length, usually -f inch 

 in thickness, often attached to large sections of the 

 crown of the root. The fracture is short, the transverse 

 section shows a radiate structure, with numerous dark 

 oil cells. Taste, aromatic, bitter, and acrid. The odour 

 recalls that of Orris Root and Camphor. The root 

 resembles that of Belladonna in colour and shape, but 

 does not show a white surface when the epidermis is 

 scraped as in Belladonna. 



ELM. Ulmus campestris, Smit. 



N.O. Urticucea. 

 Part used Bark. 



Action Astringent, demulcent, diuretic. 



Distinctive character The inner bark only is used, 

 deprived of the corky layer ; it is in thin strips ^-^ inch 

 in thickness, externally of a rusty brown colour, and 

 paler on the inner surface. Fracture laminate and 

 fibrous. Taste, mucilaginous, astringent, and faintly 

 bitter. Odour, none. 



H 



