Inula Hairs — Structure, Ultrastructure and Secretion

The genus Inu1a L. includes 200 species in Europe, Asia and Africa, some of which are known as medicinal plants. Among them I. viscosa is a very common Mediterranean perennial herb or chamaephyte, with hairy leaves and young stems and a very strong characteristic smell. The leaves and roots are used in folk medicine: in bath fumes for rheumatic diseases; for inhalations to cleanse the nasal passages; as a herb tea for bronchial and lung diseases; the leaves are also placed on wounds (4, 12).