I feel most alive in the crisp coolness of fall, when the lethargy of summer's heat has loosened its hold. I watch the squirrels outside our windows scurry about, storing food in anticipation of winter. When did our own lives shift from preparation to reaction? Our family's health can take a battering during the transition into the cold and damp of Pacific Northwest winters. What if this year we planned ahead? Sally King, Director of RavenCroft Garden, introduced me to Elecampane, a warming herb that is ideal for strengthening lungs and improving digestion, so that we can meet winter in a healthy way. This year, we will add it to our cup of tea, and toast the upcoming season.

Elecampane, Inula helenium, family Asteraceae, is commonly called Elf Dock (dock meaning big leaf), and our girls were enchanted by the idea of elfin gatherings under Elecampane's long, velvet-backed leaves. This perennial can grow quite tall, and in the summer produces large yellow, daisy-like flowers. Elecampane (El-ah-cam-PANE) is considered easy to cultivate and enjoys damp, shady environments. Most medicinal uses involve its thong-like root, which is harvested in the fall no earlier than the plant's second year.

Lung liberation: If you tend to have colds that go right to your chest, warming Elecampane is a great ally. It is high in essential oils and has expectorant, antiseptic and toning qualities that alleviate and remedy respiratory ailments, including viral and bacterial pneumonia, bronchitis, asthma, hay fever and whooping cough — as well as simple congestion, irritating coughs or shortness of breath.

Antiseptic, antibacterial and digestive aid: A component called helenin is the source of Elecampane's powerful antiseptic and antibacterial properties; of note, in the late 1800s it was proven to destroy tubercle bacillus, which causes TB. This bitter root is also extremely high in inulin, a substance that helps to stabilize blood sugar levels and is an effective liver and digestive tonic. Its bitter taste, which is our cue that it has strong digestive properties, is masked nicely with honey. Elecampane root was popular as a candied sweetmeat in Roman times, helping to stimulate the appetite and relieve indigestion.

Enjoy Elecampane: Sally suggests four ways to add Elecampane's healing properties to our lives. The first is a simple Elecampane syrup made with the dried root, which her family takes as a general tonic for improving lung function, as well as a preventive tonic in preparation for the winter season. A second is an infusion of fresh Elecampane root in honey — extremely soothing to mucous membranes. Another option is a lovely lemon and honey tea, with an added pinch of the dried root and kelp (a type of seaweed). (See box for all three recipes.) Finally, Elecampane makes a convenient and effective tincture.

Find Elecampane root in dried or tinctured form at your local herbalist. For a supply of fresh root material, divide off a section of a root bulb from a friend's garden or search online for plant starts. Sally recommends Horizon Herbs in Williams, Oregon: 541-846-6704 or www.horizonherbs.com.

I interviewed Sally during what she calls the green wave of summer, before the plants send their energy root-ward. Looking out over their garden, she mused, "How are our lives like that? How do we shift from this green wave and re-ground ourselves, knowing that soon we'll move inside — toward the quiet and darkness?" I think I'll take that transition one warming plant at a time...

RavenCroft Garden is an educational center dedicated to connecting people, plants and the earth. Contact Sally King, CCH, at 360-794-2938 or www.ravencroftgarden.com

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