Pushkarmool (Inula racemosa)

Pushkarmool (Inula racemosa) is a medicinal root, not typically consumed as a food, so standard macronutrient profiling (calories, protein, fat, carbohydrates) is not conventionally applicable. Its value lies in its bioactive phytochemical composition. Key compounds include: Sesquiterpene lactones – notably alantolactone (~1.0–3.5% w/w of dried root) and isoalantolactone (~0.8–2.5% w/w), which are the primary anti-inflammatory, anti-asthmatic, and cardioprotective constituents; Inulin (a fructan polysaccharide, ~20–40% of dried root), serving as a prebiotic dietary fiber that supports gut microbiota; Essential oils (~1–3% of dried root), containing sesquiterpene-rich volatile fractions including elemol, eudesmol, and dammarane-type triterpenoids; Phenolic acids and flavonoids – including caffeic acid derivatives and quercetin glycosides in minor quantities (~0.1–0.5%), contributing antioxidant capacity; Sterols – including β-sitosterol and stigmasterol (trace to ~0.2%), supporting cardiovascular health; Minerals (approximate, per 100 g dried root): potassium (~800–1200 mg), calcium (~300–500 mg), magnesium (~150–250 mg), iron (~8–15 mg), zinc (~2–5 mg), and manganese (~3–6 mg); Crude fiber: ~12–18% of dried root; Crude protein: ~5–8% of dried root; Vitamins: trace amounts of B-complex vitamins and vitamin C, though not a significant dietary source. Bioavailability notes: Alantolactone and isoalantolactone are lipophilic sesquiterpene lactones with moderate oral bioavailability; absorption is enhanced when administered with lipid-based carriers or warm milk/ghee (as traditionally recommended in Ayurveda). Inulin passes largely undigested to the colon where it is fermented by beneficial bacteria. The essential oil components are volatile and may be partially lost during prolonged boiling, so decoction preparation time matters. Traditional formulations (churna/powder or kwath/decoction) enhance the extraction of water-soluble and moderately polar bioactives.