Genus Inula

Gk. inaein = to clean (e.g. wounds); inula, an ancient name associated with the plant elecampane (now called Inula helenium). Inulin, a carbohydrate fibre, can be extracted from the rhizomatous roots of these plants, which have debatable medicinal value. Pliny the Elder wrote that I. viscosa strengthened teeth and healed wounds and stomach upsets.