Derived from a plant belonging to the “Sunflower” family is an essential oil known as Elecampane Oil. This oil is extracted from a plant known as “Elecampane” belonging to a species known as “Inula helenium” within the plant kingdom. Furthermore, this oil comprises of“camphor like odour”. According to popular legend, this oil is said to have been first obtained from a site where the Helen of Troy is supposed to have shed tears. In addition, this essential oil is mainly extracted from either the root or the leaves of the plant.
A. Chemical constituents of the Elecampane Oil:
This oil is derived from the roots or the leaves of the plant known as “Elecampane” belonging to a species known as “Inula helenium” within the plant kingdom. In addition, this oil also comprises of organic compounds such as polysaccharide insulin, and helenin.
B. The use and benefits of Elecampane Oil:
There are a number of benefits to using this essential oil. However, one should also consider the adverse reactions or side effects reported from its use:
1. Immunity:
Due to the presence of antibacterial and antimicrobial properties this oil when used helps in stimulating the immunity system of the body, and thereby protects it from various bacterial or viral infections.
2. Diuretic:
This oil also comprises of a property that helps in flushing out waste materials such as kidney stone, excess fat from the body by promoting urination, and thereby serves as a diuretic.
3. Digestive:
This oil when used helps in maintaining a healthy digestive system by stimulating the increase of digestive juices such as gastric juice and bile, and thereby ensures normal digestion.
4. Expectorant:
This oil also comprises of a property that enables the removal of waste material such as mucus and phlegm formed in the respiratory system from the body, and thereby serves as an expectorant.
5. Antiseptic:
When used, this oil also helps in the treatment of internal and external wounds by stimulating the destructing the disease causing microorganism, and thereby serves as an antiseptic.
C. The adverse effects of Elecampane Oil:
There are a couple of adverse effects that could occur when this oil is used. These effects are as follows:
- The use of this oil could lead to allergic reactions on the skin especially in those individuals who possess sensitive skin.
The usage of this oil may also be extremely harmful to pregnancy, and hence pregnant women must avoid using it.
