Sunflower

Inula is an old and respected remedy for respiratory ailments. The herb is thought to warm and strengthen the lungs and promote expectoration by loosening stubborn phlegm and congestion. As an antitussive, Inula is used to quiet and treat non-productive, hacking coughs, chronic bronchitis and whooping cough. It also cleanses and tones the mucous membrane of the lungs, which has helped relieve asthma, emphysema and consumptive diseases.

For many centuries, Inula has been effective in treating indigestion and intestinal complaints and is recommended as a fine, daily tonic that tones the stomach and its mucous membranes, inhibiting excessive phlegm that results from weak digestion. The herb's mucilage content also has a soothing effect on the intestines and helps to relieve intestinal catarrh.

Inula is a powerful diaphoretic and increases perspiration profusely, helping to reduce fevers and cleanse toxins through the skin.  Sunflowers are known to be a liver stimulant and is called a "chologogue," an herb that stimulates the flow of bile from the liver into the intestines, which is very useful for hepatic ailments, as well as further helping digestive problems.

Inula's antibacterial properties have been known to kill ordinary bacterial organisms, also being particularly destructive to the tubercle bacillus. Used externally, its antiseptic application is useful as a wash for such skin problems as scabies and itches.

FACT:
One of the most important herbs to the ancient Greeks and Romans as a medicine and condiment, Inula was regarded as almost a cure-all for ailments as diverse as dropsy, asthma, bronchitis, melancholy, menstrual disorders and digestive upsets (Horace relates how the Romans took inula for indigestion after dining too richly).