Helenin is a phytochemical mixture found in many plant species, including the Inula helenium (elecampane) of the family Asteraceae.

It is a mixture of two isomeric sesquiterpene lactones, alantolactone and isoalantolactone.

In 1895 the German scientists Julius Bredt and Wilhelm Posh extracted helenin from Inula helenium and determined its physical and chemical properties.

[2] Helenin discovered in Stevia lucida for the first time, showcasing potential links within the Asteraceae family.

[3] Helenin can be extracted from the roots of Inula helenium using alcohol or other non-polar solvents to produce a mixture with a composition of about 40% alantolactone and 60% isoalantolactone.