Inula, scientific name inula graveolens, is a plant belonging to the Asteraceae family. Through steam distillation of its flower buds a precious essential oil is obtained, highly rich in sesquiterpene lactones, beneficial substances that make it a powerful remedy, as we will see in the following (Wang et al, Expert Opin Investig Drugs., 2014).
Essential oil of inula graveolens, properties
The essential oil of inula is characterized by expectorant, antitussive and anti inflammatory properties that make it a powerful natural remedy in case of cough, bronchitis and other diseases of the respiratory tract (Seca et al, J Ethnopharmacol, 2014). Moreover, inula essential oil is antibacterial and has shown to inhibit the action of the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus, one of the main causes of pimples and acne (Guinoiseau et al, Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis, 2010). For this reason, this essential oil can be used as an antiseptic agent in case of oily and acne prone skin. Finally, it has been proven also that inula essential oil is able to inhibit the acetylcholinesterase, that is an enzyme whose values are altered in case of Alzheimer. In particular, this enzyme, in case of illness, is present in higher amount and is linked to the beta amyloid plaques, that characterize Alzheimer. Inhibiting the activity of this enzyme, as it seems to do this essential oil and according to scientific studies, may play a role in counteracting Alzheimer (Dohi et al, J Agric Food Chem., 2009).
Applications
In case of cough and bronchitis you can dilute 2 drops of essential oil in 1 tablespoon of a plant based oil, such as jojoba or sweet almond oil, and massage on the chest. In order to exploit its benefits, the inula essential oil may also be diffused in the room, 3 drops in an oil burner. Otherwise, for what concerns the skincare, you can try to add a drop of inula essential oil to a little of your face cream and apply on face. Anyway, it is better to do a patch test on a small area of the skin in order to be sure that there aren’t any allergic reactions.
