Evidence supporting the use of: Inula
For the health condition: Liver Detoxification
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 1
Inula (commonly referring to Inula helenium, or elecampane) has a long history of use in traditional herbal medicine, particularly in European and Asian systems. While Inula is primarily known for its applications in respiratory and digestive health, there are some historical references to its use in supporting liver function and detoxification. Traditional herbalists have occasionally employed Inula as a “bitter” to stimulate digestion, which could indirectly benefit liver health by enhancing bile flow and digestive processes. However, these uses are generally based on empirical tradition rather than rigorous scientific validation.
Scientific studies on Inula’s direct effects on liver detoxification in humans are minimal. There is some in vitro and animal research indicating that certain constituents of Inula, such as sesquiterpene lactones, may possess hepatoprotective or anti-inflammatory properties, but these findings do not directly translate to clinical evidence for liver detoxification in humans. No high-quality human trials specifically support Inula as a liver detoxifier. Thus, while tradition supports its occasional use for liver-related purposes, the overall quality and quantity of evidence is weak, and its use in this context is not widely recognized in modern herbal practice.
Other ingredients used for Liver Detoxification
alfalfaaloe vera
alpha-ketoglutarate (AKG)
amino acids
green chiretta
anthocyanins
apple
apricot
arjun tree
artichoke
asparagus
astragalus
barberry
barley
beet
myrobalan
berberine
beta caryophyllene
betel
black cumin
black garlic
radish
Indian frankincense
bovine liver
branched-chain amino acids
bupleurum falcatum
burdock
catalase
caterpillar mushroom
chaga mushroom
chicory
Chinese salvia root
chlorella
chokeberry
cinnamon
Coptis chinensis
cordyceps
cucumber
turmeric
curcumin
cuspidatum root
d-glucarate
dandelion
diallyl disulfide (DADS)
epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
gardenia
gentian root
ginger
gooseberry
green tea
hibiscus
Indian gum arabic tree
indole-3-carbinol
honeysuckle
knotweed
jujube
kale
kudzu
l-cysteine
l-glutathione
l-methionine
l-ornithine
lentinula edodes mycelia
licorice root
liquid liver fractions
lophatherum leaf
lovage
milk thistle
moringa
naringin
nettle
niacinamide (vitamin B3)
oleanolic acid
orange
perilla
phosphatidylcholine
phospholipids
pollen
pumpkin
quercetin
redcurrant
reishi mushroom
rhubarb root
SAMe (s-adenosyl-l-methionine disulfate p-toluensulfate)
selenium
silymarin
spirulina
vegetable and fruit blend (proprietary)
vitamin B6
vitamin C
vitamin E
seaweed
wasabia japonica
watercress
watermelon
wheat grass
whey protein
mulberry
zinc
sarsaparilla
cascara sagrada
typhonium
neem tree
enicostemma littorale
clerodendrum indicum
smilax
tinospora cordifolia
fumaria parviflora
picrorhiza kurroa
rubia cordifolia
swertia
lingzhi
lingusticum wallichii
goldenrod
bile salt
morus
myrrh
root tuber
chrysanthemum
ganoderma
lotus seed
birch
couch grass
sheep's sorrel
anemarrhena asphodeloides
purslane
coix
polyporus
gentiana macrophylla
cleavers
noni
biota seed
goji berry
algae
ashitaba
soursop
Arjuna
akebia
Ankaflavin
Anthraquinone
Ardisia
Agrimony
Apigenin
Antrodia camphorata
Achyranthes
Anamu
Albizia
AHCC
Aucubin
Andrographolide
Avocado
Albumin
American Liverleaf
Appleblossom Cassia
Asam gelugor
Alpha-Lipoic Acid
Astragaloside
Andrographis
Adzuki bean
Alsonia scholaris
Agrimonia pilosa
Allyl Sulfide
Alisma
Allium tuberosum
Amor seco
Arjunolic acid
Astragalin
Atractylone
Black Seed
Baikal Skullcap
Blue Flag
Borotutu
Blackthorn
bergenin
Blepharis
Balsam
Brassica
Belleric myrobalan
Beef liver
Barleria
Berberis (unspecified)
Baicalein
Bael
Butternut
Basidiomycota
boldo
Black Gram
Baccharoides anthelmintica
Banyan
Black Nightshade
Bitter principals
Bacteria
Black root
Bifidobacteria
BCAA
Bupleurum
benzyl isothiocyanate
Bassia scoparia
Bergenia
Bignay
Bottle gourd
Centaury
Chinese Silkvine
cholic acid
Carqueja
Chebulic acid
Coriolus mushroom
Coriander
Clerodendrum phlomidis
Centaurium erythraea
Cyathula
Chinese Fleeceflower
Cynarin
Chinese Pond Turtle
Cruciferous
Centella asiatica
Capers
Chanca Piedra
Celandine
Cinnamic Acid
Chinese Ligustrum berry
Copalchi
Corktree
C-Phycocyanin
Cabbage
Chirata
Calamus
Chebulinic acid
Corilagin
Coumaric acid
Cynaropicrin
Cynodon dactylon
Carthamus
Clerodendrum indicum
Diallyl sulfide
Dihydromyricetin
DL-Methionine
Deoxyandrographolides
Dithiolthiones
Desmodium
Duckweed
Ellagic Acid
Erodium cicutarium
Emblicanin
Endive
Embelia
Ellagitannin
Emodin
Fucoidan
Flueggea suffruticosa
Fumitory
Fo-Ti
Ficus religiosa
Flavanones
Ficus simplicissima
Flavans
Flavonones
Flavonolignan
Gallic Acid
Genipap
Gamma-Glutamylcysteine
Gallate
Glycophospholipid
Glycosaponin
Glutathione
Glycine
Garden Cress
Gardenia jasminoides
Glucoraphanin
Glycyrrhizin
Golden Shower Tree
Glucuronic acid
Glucaric acid
Little ironweed
Prickly Pear Cactus
Rhubarb
walnut
Other health conditions supported by Inula
Abdominal PainAcid Indigestion
Allergies (respiratory)
Appetite (deficient)
Asthma
Bronchitis
Colds (decongestant)
Colds (general)
Congestion (bronchial)
Congestion (lungs)
Cough (damp)
Cough (general)
Cough (spastic)
Digestion (poor)
Emphysema
Fatigue
Gastritis
Inflammation
Influenza
Laryngitis
Liver Detoxification
Rhinitis
Rhinitis, Allergic
Sinus Infection
Wheezing