Helen Health Dictionary

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Helen: From 1 Different Sources

(Greek) The shining light; in mythology, Helen was the most beautiful woman in the world

Helene, Halina, Helaine, Helana, Heleena, Helena, Helenna, Hellen, Helaina, Helenka, Heleana, Heley, Helina, Heleanor, Helenore, Helenann, HelEne, Hellena, Hellene, Hellenor, Hellia, Heli, Helli, Helie, Hella, Helle

Health Source: Medical Dictionary
Author: Health Dictionary

Elecampane

Inula helenium. N.O. Compositae.

Synonym: Aunee, Scabwort.

Habitat: Moist meadows and pasture land.

Features ? The stem. growing up to three feet, is branched, furrowed, and downy above; egg-shaped, serrate leaves embrace the stem. The calyx is also egg-shaped and leafy, and the flowers, blooming in July and August, are large, solitary and terminal, brilliantly yellow in colour. The root is light grey, hard, horny and cylindrical. The whole plant is similar in appearance to the horseradish, its taste is bitter and acrid, and the odour reminiscent of camphor.

Part used ? Root.

Action: Diaphoretic, expectorant and diuretic.

In combination with other remedies it is made up into cough medicines, and can be of service in pulmonary disorders generally. Skillfully compounded, slight alterative and tonic qualities are noticed. Wineglass doses are taken of a 1 ounce to 1 pint (reduced) decoction.

These modest present-day claims for Elecampane are far exceeded by Culpeper's exuberance. In his view, the root "warms a cold and windy stomach or the pricking therein, and stitches in the side caused by the spleen; helps the cough, shortness of the breath, and wheezing of the lungs. . . . Profitable for those that have their urine stopped. . . . Resisteth poison, and stayeth the venom of serpents, as also of putrid and pestilential fevers, and the plague itself." When we are also told by the same author that it kills and expels worms, fastens loose teeth, arrests dental decay, cleanses the skin from morphew, spots and blemishes, we realize in what esteem Elecampane was held in the seventeenth century! But here again germs of truth are hidden among manifold exaggerations.... elecampane

Aleen

(Celtic) Form of Helen, meaning “the shining light”

Aleena, Aleenia, Alene, Alyne, Alena, Alenka, Alynah, Aleine, Aleina, Aleine, Aleina, Aleane, Aleana... aleen

Elaine

(French) Form of Helen, meaning “the shining light”

Ellaine, Ellayne, Elaina, Elayna, Elayne, Elaene, Elaena, Ellaina... elaine

Eleanor

(Greek) Form of Helen, meaning “the shining light”

Eleanora, Eleni, Eleonora, Eleonore, Elinor, Elnora, Eleanore, Elinora, Elenora, Elenore, Eilidh, Eilinora, Eilinore, Eilionoir, Eilionoira, Elie, Elienor, Elienora, Eleinor, Eleinora, Elinore, Ellinor, Ellnora, Ellinora, Ellenor, Ellenora, Ellie, Elly, Elli, Ellee... eleanor

Elena

(Spanish) Form of Helen, meaning “the shining light”

Elenah, Eleena, Eleenah, Elyna, Elynah, Elina, Elinah, Eleni, Elenie, Elene, Eleene, Elenitsa, Eleyn, Elenea, Eleneah... elena

Ellen

(English) Form of Helen, meaning “the shining light”

Elin, Elleen, Ellena, Ellene, Ellyn, Elynn, Elen, Ellin... ellen

Galina

(Russian) Form of Helen, meaning “the shining light” Galinah, Galyna, Galynah, Galeena, Galeenah, Galine, Galyne, Galeene, Galeane, Galeana... galina

Heirnine

(Greek) Form of Helen, meaning “the shining light”

Heirnyne, Heirneine, Heirniene, Heirneene, Heirneane... heirnine

Helice

(Greek) Form of Helen, meaning “the shining light” Helyce, Heleece, Heliece, Heleace... helice

Iliana

(Greek) Form of Helen, meaning “the shining light”

Ileana, Ileane, Ileanna, Ileanne, Illeanna, Illia, Illiana, Illianna, Illionya, Ilona, Ilonna, Iliona, Ilone, Ilonka, Illonna, Ilon... iliana

Inula Racemosa

Hook. f.

Synonym: I. royleana auct. non-DC.

Family: Compositae; Asteraceae.

Habitat: Temperate and Alpine Himalayas from Chitral to Nepal at 1,500-4,200 m.

English: Elecampane.

Ayurvedic: Pushkaramuula, Pushkara, Paushkara, Padmapatra, Kaashmira, Kushtha-bheda.

Action: Antispasmodic, stomachic, antihistaminic, expectorant, anticatarrhal. Used for asthma, chronic bronchitis and pulmonary disorders.

Key application: Inula helenium— as expectorant. (The British Herbal Pharmacopoeia.)

Roots are used in Kashmir as adulterant of Saussurea lappa.

The root contains a volatile oil, about 1-4%; major constituents being in- ulin (10.0) and sesquiterpene lactones, mainly alantolactone, isoalantolactone and their dihydro derivatives. Alan- tolactone and others in the mixture known as helenalin (sesquiterpene lactones) are toxic constituents of the root.

Alantolactone is anti-inflammatory in animals and has been shown to stimulate the immune system. It is also hypotensive and anthelmintic in animals; antibacterial and antifungal in vitro It irritates mucous membranes. It is used as an anthelmintic in Europe and UK.

Plant extract showed potent antispasmodic effect against bronchial spasm induced by histamine and various plant pollens.

The root, when combined with Commiphora mukul gum-resin, acts as a hypolipidaemic agent, exhibits beta- blocking activity and beneficial effect in myocardial ischaemia.

The roots also exhibit sedative and blood pressure lowering activity.

The European species is equated with Inula helenium Linn.

Dosage: Root—1-3 g powder. (API Vol. IV.)... inula racemosa

Jelena

(Russian) Form of Helen, meaning “the shining light”

Jalaina, Jalaine, Jalayna, Jalena, Jelina, Jelka, Jelaena... jelena

Lana

(German / Greek) Form of Alana, meaning “beautiful and fair woman; dear child” / form of Helen, meaning “the shining light”

Lanae, Lanette, Lanna, Lanny, Lannice, Lanice... lana

Leanna

(Gaelic) Form of Helen, meaning “the shining light”

Leana, Leann, Leanne, Lee-Ann, Leeann, Leeanne, Leianne, Leyanne, Leigh-Anne, Leighanna, Leeahnne, Leane, Leianna, Leighanne, Leighna, Leena, Leauna... leanna

Lena

(German) Form of Helen, meaning “the shining light”

Lina, Leena, Leyna, Leina, Lyna, Lenci, Lencie, Lency, Lencey, Lencee, Lenka, Lencea... lena

Nelly

(English) Form of Helen, meaning “the shining light”

Nel, Nelida, Nell, Nella, Nellene, Nellie, Nellwen, Nellwin, Nelle, Nelley, Nelli, Nellee, Nellis, Nelma, Nellwinne, Nellwenne, Nellwyn, Nellwynne, Nelwina, Nelwena, Nellwina, Nellwena, Nelda, Nelleke... nelly

Olena

(Russian) Form of Helen, meaning “the shining light”

Olenah, Olenia, Olenya, Olinija, Olinia... olena

Yalena

(Greek) Form of Helen, meaning “the shining light”

Yalenah, Yalina, Yaleena, Yalyna, Yalana, Yaleana, Yalane, Yaleene, Yaline, Yalyne, Yaleane, Yalenchka, Yalene, Yalens... yalena

Yelena

(Russian) Form of Helen, meaning “the shining light”

Yelenah, Yelina, Yeleena, Yelyna, Yelaina, Yelana, Yeleana, Yelenna, Yellayna, Yellena, Yilena, Yilina, Yileena, Yilyna, Yilaina, Yilana, Yileana, Yilenna, Yelane, Yelene, Yelenne, Yelain, Yeleane, Yelen, Yeline... yelena

Costus

Saussurea costus

FAMILY: Asteraceae (Compositae)

SYNONYMS: S. lappa, Aucklandia costus, Aplotaxis lappa, A. auriculata.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION: A large, erect, perennial plant up to 2 metres high with a thick tapering root and numerous almost black flowers.

DISTRIBUTION: Native to northern India; cultivated in India and south west China. The oil is mainly produced in India.

OTHER SPECIES: Closely related to elecampane (lnula helenium), whose roots are also used to produce an essential oil.

HERBAL/FOLK TRADITION: The root has been used for millennia in India and China for digestive complaints, respiratory conditions, as a stimulant and for infection including typhoid and cholera. It is also used as an incense.

ACTIONS: Antiseptic, antispasmodic, antiviral, bactericidal, carminative, digestive, expectorant, febrifuge, hypotensive, stimulant, stomachic, tonic.

EXTRACTION: The dried roots are macerated in warm water, then subjected to steam distillation followed by solvent extraction of the distilled water. (A concrete and absolute are also produced in small quantities.)

CHARACTERISTICS: A pale yellow or brownish viscous liquid of soft, woody-musty, extremely tenacious odour. It blends well with patchouli, opopanax, ylang ylang, oriental and floral fragrances.

PRINCIPAL CONSTITUENTS: Mainly sesquiterpene lactones, including dihydrocostus lactone and costunolide (together up to 50 per cent), other sesquiterpenes such as costols, caryophyllene and selinene, as well as costic and oleic acids, among others.

SAFETY DATA: Non-toxic, non-irritant, possible sensitization in some individuals. Subject to frequent adulteration.

AROMATHERAPY/HOME: USE

Skin Care: Perfume.

Respiratory System: Asthma, bronchitis, spasmodic cough.

Digestive System: Flatulence, indigestion, spasm.

Nervous system: Debility, nervous exhaustion and stress-related conditions.

OTHER USES: Fixative and fragrance component in cosmetics and perfumes. Used as a flavour ingredient by the food industry, especially in confectionery, alcoholic and soft drinks.... costus


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