Easiest to cultivate, with large abundant pinkish-purple flowers, drooping flower rays. Used as a blood purifier, an effective antibiotic, and a stimulant to the body's immune system. Recommended for the butterfly garden. Elecampane, Inula helenium. Large leaf foliage with shaggy yellow daisy-like flowers, nice background herb.
Roots are very medicinal and also used to make a candied sweetmeat.
Used in China for over 1000 years. The dried stem is a strong anti-asthmatic, expectorant and stimulant. The commercial source of ephedrine alkaloids used in bronchial decongestants and asthma medicines. Fennel, Florence, Foeniculum vulgare var. The anise-flavored bulbous base is cooked as a vegetable or blanched and marinated to use in antipasto.