Genus Inula is important medicinally as it has anticancerous, antibacterial, hepatoprotective, cytotoxic and anti-inflammatory properties. The species growing in East Asia are widely used by the local people for varied medicinal properties which have prompted many workers to study the phytochemistry of these species which has ultimately resulted in the extraction of a number of novel bioactive molecules. This emphasizes on the need of extensive study for revealing the medicinal importance of the other species of Inula.