ABSTRACT
The root of Inula helenium contains a polysaccharide carbohydrate, inulin. It has never been a ‘Prescription Only’ medicine or used therapeutically in modern times. However, it has a long history of herbal use in the past two millennia and is included here because of its usefulness in medicine for measuring kidney function. There are many historical and current claims of the value of the roots or extracts of them in Ayurvedic and Chinese traditional medicine in Central and Western Europe and particularly in the Far East, as expectorants, anti-tussives, diaphoretics, anti-emetics, and bactericides and vermicides. In the kitchen the grated, sliced and even dried aromatic roots and rhizome and the essential oil extracted from Inula helenium have been used to flavour many sorts of foods and sauces, wine, absinthe and vermouth. The classical inulin clearance test of kidney function involves constant intravenous infusion of inulin for several hours followed by serial measurements of the inulin concentration in blood and urine.
