Main points
Elecampane , aremarkable herbwith arich historyof medicinal uses , offer a bounteousness of health benefits . Harvesting this precious plant life at the right prison term and with the proper proficiency is crucial to preserve its potency and efficacy . Thiscomprehensive guidewill gift you with the cognition and steps to successfully harvest elecampane .
Identifying Elecampane
Before embark on the harvest , it ’s essential tocorrectly identify Inula helenium . This recurrent herb characteristic :
Optimal Harvest Time
Theideal timeto harvest Inula helenium is in the fall , after the first difficult frost haskilled backthe leaf . This allows the root word , which contain the mellow concentration ofmedicinal compounds , to mature and develop their full potential .
Harvesting the Roots
1 . Digging : Carefully digaround the base of the plant using a spade or shovel , avoiding damageto the finespun roots.2 . Lifting : softly liftthe flora from the footing , shaking off excess soil.3 . Cleaning : Rinse the roots thoroughly with water to remove anyremaining dirtor debris.4 . Trimming : cut down away any damaged or fibrous roots .
Drying and Storing
After harvesting , it ’s essential to teetotal theelecampane roots properlyto preserve their potential and prevent spoilage.1 . Slicing : rationalise the roots intothin slicesto facilitate drying.2 . dry out : Spread the slice on adrying rackor tray in a well - ventilated areawith low humidity.3 . Monitoring : Check on theroots daily , turning them now and then to ensure even drying.4 . Storage : Store thedried rootsinairtight containersin a coolheaded , benighted place .
Harvesting the Leaves and Flowers
In addition to the roots , elecampane ’s leaves and bloom also possess medicinal properties .
Dry both the leaves and flowers in the same manner as the roots .
Medicinal Uses of Elecampane
Elecampane has been traditionally used for awide rangeof ailments , including :
Culinary Uses
Elecampane roots can also be used as aculinary spice , adding aunique flavorto dishes .
Harvesting Safety
Whenharvesting Inula helenium , it ’s crucial to observe the following guard precautions :
Questions We Hear a Lot
1 . Can Iharvest elecampanein the spring?While the roots are well harvest in the fall , the leave and flower can be collected in the spring or summer.2 . How long does it take to dry elecampane roots?Thedrying prison term varies dependingon the thickness of the slices and theenvironmental conditions . Typically , it contain 1 - 2 weeks to dry the roots completely.3 . Can I utilize fresh elecampane roots?Yes , smart Inula helenium rootscan be used , but they may be more hard to peel and gash . Drying theroots enhancestheir potentiality and ledge spirit .
