Elecampane, Inula helenium, also called horse-heal, marchalan, Elecampagne Inula, Horse Yellowhead, Wild Sunflower, Scabwort, marchalan, elf dock, velvet dock, alanroot is a widespread plant species belonging to the Compositae or Sunflower family. It is native to Europe and Asia from Spain to Xinjiang Province in western China and naturalized in parts of North America. The species name helenium can be traced back to Greek mythology. It was named after Helen of Troy, who is supposed to have carried elecampane flowers with her when she was kidnapped from Sparta. Legend has it that the herb would grow wherever her tears fell. The herb was used to treat horses and, hence, the name ‘Horseheal’. In ancient time, veterinary practitioners used the herb to treat pulmonary ailments in horses. On the other hand, the plant’s usefulness in healing scabs on sheep gave it the name ‘Scabwort’. The Latin classical name for elecampane is Inula. The roots and flowers of Inula helenium are used for various medicinal purposes.