Used as an infusion, decoction, extract and tincture.

Elecampane's volatile oil has been shown to be active against the tubercle bacillus. The volatile oil stimules the production of mucus, as the saponins stimulate the bronchial structures, thus increasing the lung's elimination of mucus. The plant's mucilages soothe the irritated throat lining.

Grieve's classic 'A Modern Herbal': 'In herbal medicine it is chiefly used for coughs and other pulmonary complaints, being a favourite domestic remedy for bronchitis. It has been employed for many years with good results in chest affections, for which it is a valuable medicine as it is in all chronic diseases of the lungs, asthma and bronchitis. It gives relief to the respiratory difficulties and assists expectoration.'

'Its principal employment as a separate remedy is in acute catarrhal affections, and in dyspepsia attended with relaxation and debility, given in small, warm and frequently repeated doses. It is, however, seldom given alone, but most frequently preferred in combination with other medicines of a similar nature.'

'It is best given in the form of decoction, the dose being a small teaspoonful, three times a day.'

'The root used not only to be candied and eaten as a sweetmeat, but lozenges were made of it. It has been employed in whooping-cough. It is sometimes employed in the form of a confection for piles, 1 oz. of powdered root being mixed with 2 oz. of honey.'

'In the United States, it has also been highly recommended, both for external use and internal administration in diseases of the skin, an old use of the root that has maintained its reputation for efficacy.'

'Externally applied, it is somewhat rubefacient, and has been employed as an embrocation in the treatment of sciatica, facial and other neuralgia.'

King's 1898 Dispensatory: 'Elecampane is an aromatic stimulant and tonic, and is said to be expectorant, emmenagogue, diuretic, and diaphoretic. It is much used in chronic pulmonary affections, weakness of the digestive organs, hepatic torpor, atonic dyspepsia, with flatus, and internally and externally in tetter, itch, and other cutaneous diseases.'

'Inula is somewhat slow in action, and should be used for quite a time to get its full action. That it is an important remedy in irritation of the trachea and bronchiae is now well established. It is adapted to cases with free and abundant expectoration, teasing cough, and pain beneath the sternum, conditions frequent in la grippe, and the severer forms of colds.'

American Materia Medica, 1919 (Ellingwood): 'The direct tonic influence of inula seems to be exercised also upon the respiratory tract after protracted disease promoting recovery. It lessens excessive bronchial secretion controls the night sweats and imparts real tone and strength.'

'Hare says that inula has an actively astringent influence. Giving it during the course of cough if there be great secretion the influence is very desirable but if there is but little secretion it makes the cough very tight.'

'Foreign authorities have written considerable in the last five years on the action of this agent in the treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis claiming that it has a directly toxic action upon the tubercle bacilli. They believe that a pure alkaloid of inula will exercise a more positive influence than creosote, or guaiacol preparations.... Inula is a useful remedy in certain coughs.'

'Perhaps the alkaloid inulin will be found superior to the fluid medicine in these cases. It is certainly an important remedy in the relief of irritation of the trachea and bronchi. Where there is persistent irritating cough, with pain beneath the sternum, and abundant expectoration, the condition being acute or sub-acute in character, and accompanied with sonic elevation of the temperature, it will be found serviceable.'

'It is an expectorant of a soothing character. It is also diuretic and diaphoretic in its general influence. Excessive catarrhal discharges from the bladder are readily controlled by its use, and vaginal catarrh yields readily to its influence.'

The 1997 Commission E on Phytotherapy and Herbal Substances of the German Federal Institute for Drugs:

'The sesquiterpene lactones present in elecampane, principally alantolactone, irritate the mucous membranes. These lactones are sensitizing and cause allergic contact dermatitis.... Large amounts of the herb lead to vomiting, diarrhea, cramps, and symptoms of paralysis.'