Habitat: A native of the Mediterranean area, Inula is an erect, bushy, aromatic annual herb with small yellow to yellow/white flowers that smell of camphor.

Inula graveolens (Inula odorante)
-essential oil, hydrolate, dried herbs-

—Inula graveolens (L.) Desf.

Synonyms: Erigeron graveolens, Inula graveolens (L.) Desf., Solidago graveolens (L.) Lam., Paniopsis graveolens Raf., Cupularia graveolens (L.), Pulicaria graveolens (L.)

Botanical family: Asteraceae

Common names: Stinkwort, Cape Khakiweed, swet inula, camphor inula.

Habitat: A native of the Mediterranean area, Inula is an erect, bushy, aromatic annual herb with small yellow to yellow/white flowers that smell of camphor. D. graveolens is a nitrophilous (Thriving in a habitat rich in nitrogen) species, generally associated with disturbed, open (unshaded) habitats, such as cultivated land, abandoned fields, roadsides, ruderal places, overgrazed pastures and other open (cleared) habitats. D. graveolens is widespread in the Mediterranean region.

Chemical Composition
The chemical composition on Inula varies depending on country of origin. The most commonly found essential oil for Inula is from Corsica. The main components found in the essential oils from Corsica include: bornyl acetate and borneol.2 Inula from Greece contains a high proportion of epi-a-cadinol (up to 30.2%) and bornyl acetate (25.4%) while Inula from Iran contains 1,8 Cineole (54.89%), p-cymene (16.2%), [beta]- pinene (6.94%) and borneol (5.44%).

From Corsica:
Monoterpenes: a-pinene (0.96%), b-pinene (1.3%), y-terpinene (0.09%), camphene (10.41%), d-limonene (1.34%), para-cymene (0.17%), terpinolene (0.05%)

Sesquiterpenes: a-muurolene (0.34%), b-caryophyllene (1.96%), delta-cadinene (0.22%), y-cadinene (0.56%), germacrene D (0.07%)

Monoterpenols: a-terpineol (1.48%), borneol (13.45%), lavandulol (0.18%), linalol (0.08%), terpinen-4-ol (0.10%)

Research on isolated components, Bornyl acetate and Borneol:
Bornyl acetate exhibits a wide range of activity including:

analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects.3,4,5,6, & 7
relaxes the autonomic nervous system8
bactericidal, expectorant, sedative and spasmolytic activity.9
Borneol exhibits:

vasorelaxant effects.10
anticoagulant activity.11
sedative activity12 and may be useful in treating anxiety.
antimicrobial activity.13
anti-inflammatory activity.14 & 15
Research on Inula is challenging to find. The following are reports I found on Inula:

Inula graveolens contains upwards of 26.2% borneol. Inula exhibits antibacterial activity. Taken together, our findings suggest that the bactericidal activity of I. graveolens and S. corsica essential oils resides in their ability to detrimentally affect the integrity of the plasmic membrane and the cell wall of Staphylococcus aureus.16
Inula graveolens exhibits acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory activity.17
inula-greenWhat makes the oil green?
When the plant material is distilled in a copper still, some trace components in this oil form complexes with copper and, voila, the essential oils turns out emerald green. When it is distilled in stainless steel, the oil is yellowish clear.18

Therapeutic Actions: antibacterial, antifungal, antispasmodic, antitussive, bronchospamolytic, mucolytic

Core Therapeutic Applications:
The essential oil is known as the most effective oil for loosening mucous and deep congestion. It is also useful for acute and chronic respiratory conditions such as coughs, colds, sinusitis, laryngitis and bronchitis.19

Inula graveolens is widely used in aromatherapy for the treatment of asthma. It is reputed to have bronchospasmolytic and mucolytic activity.

From an Ayurvedic perspective, this oil would be indicated for access kapha, lethargy, and congestion.

How to use:
Aromatherapy Inhaler

14 drops Inula graveolens
12 drops Green myrtle (Myrtus communis)
Combine drops in small bowl, place organic cotton pad into bowl to soak up essential oils. Place cotton pad in inhaler tube, close tube with bottom. Use inhaler as needed throughout the day.

Quick remedy for coughs – Add 2 drops in a teaspoon of honey. Stir with a toothpick and then take internally.

Direct Palm Inhalation: Place 2-3 drops in palm of hand, rub hands together and then do a few deep inhalations with hands about 1-2 inches away from face.