helenin [医] 土木香内酯, 土木香脑
Helenin \Hel"e*nin\, n. (Chem.)
A neutral organic substance found in the root of the
elecampane ({Inula helenium}), and extracted as a white
crystalline or oily material, with a slightly bitter taste.
Inulin \In"u*lin\, n. [From NL. {Inula Helenium}, the
elecampane: cf. F. inuline.] (Chem.)
A substance of very wide occurrence. It is found dissolved in
the sap of the roots and rhizomes of many composite and other
plants, as {Inula}, {Helianthus}, {Campanula}, etc., and is
extracted by solution as a tasteless, white, semicrystalline
substance, resembling starch, with which it is isomeric,
having fructose units in place of most of the glucose units.
It is intermediate in nature between starch and sugar, and
replaces starch as the reserve food in Compositae. Called
also {dahlin}, {helenin}, {alantin}, {alant starch}, etc.
[1913 Webster +PJC]