Description

Indian Elecampane is an Asian plant in the daisy family native to the temperate and alpine western Himalayas of Xinjiang, Afghanistan, Kashmir, Nepal, Pakistan . The roots are widely used locally in indigenous medicine as an expectorant and in veterinary medicine as a tonic. It has also been introduced as an ornamental plant and medicinal herb in many countries. It is an oriental species in origin and distribution.

Characteristics:

The species is a perennial herb up to 1.5 m tall with fragrant prominent root and rootstock. Stems are many in number, ascending from the base of the rootstock. Leaves are leathery, rough above and densely hairy below, 25–50 cm long and 10–12 cm broad, and elliptic–lanceolate in shape. Flower heads are yellow in colour, have bisexual florets, and occur in terminal racemes. Flowering occurs from January to July, while fruiting occurs in October–November. Fruits (achenes) are slender and about 0.5 cm long. The species occurs in temperate areas of Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand in India.

Medicinal Uses:

Puskarmool is an aromatic tonic, febrifuge, and expectorant with anti-inflammatory, carminative, diuretic, and antiseptic properties. The plant is used in chronic bronchitis and rheumatism. Dried rhizomes and roots are used to cure loss of appetite and stomach troubles. In Ayurvedic classics, it is used for breathlessness, hiccup, coughing and pain in lateral sides of the chest. Roots are used as a remedy for dysponea, cough, pleurisy, asthma, chest pain, tuberculosis and pre cordial pain. In India, root powder is used for treating tuberculosis, asthma, cardiac disorders, skin diseases, diabetes, obesity and boost appetite.