Alecost

Alecost
There are about 70 species of mostly aromatic annuals, perennials, and subshrubs in this genus, which ranges throughout northern temperate regions. It includes members of the daisy family, formerly classified in Balsamita, Chrysanthemum, Matricaria, and Pyrethrum. Many are aromatic, containing pungent volatile oils and insecticidal compounds that may cause unpleasant reactions if handled, or consumed in excess. Most are invasive and need vigilant control in the garden. These members of the daisy family are rich in volatile oils, bitters, and sesquiterpene lactones, which inhibit allergic, inflammatory responses, and are insecticidal. They are extremely pungent, potent herbs and should be used with caution. Tanacetum balsamita is an attractive plant for the silver or white garden. Its leaves were once used as fragrant bookmarks, hence the obsolete common name "bibleleaf". The word "cost" in its more widely used common names "alecost" and "costmary" is from the Sanskrit kustha, an aromatic plant, while "ale" recalls its roll in brewing, and "mary" refers to the Virgin Mary, to whom the plant was dedicated. Tanecetum parthenium (feverfew) was described in old herbals as a remedy for headaches but forgotten until the 1970s when Mrs Anne Jenkins, a doctors wife in Cardiff, Wales, found that it cured her migraine and reported its effectiveness. Clinical trials in the 1980s supported evidence that it is indeed an effective and relatively safe remedy in many cases of migraine. Insecticides based on pyrethins were first made from the flowers of red pyrethrum (T. coccineum syn. Chrysanthemum coccineum, Pyrethrum roseum), and were known as Persian Insect Powder. The flowers of T. cinerariifolium were later found to be more effective. Dried flowers and powder retain their insecticidal properties almost indefinately. Pyrethrins are non-toxic to mammals. Tanacetum vulgare was important as a strewing herb in the 16th century. It contains thujone, and insecticidal substance also found in Artemisia absinthium (See, Wormwood), which is highly toxic in excess. Tansy featured in a number of Easter rituals in the British Isles, as a cleansing herb after the Lenten fast, and symbol of the bitter Passover herbs. Tansy cakes, a kind of omelet, were traditionally eaten at this time, and awarded to the victor in a handball game played in the parishes between clergy and congregation. Tanacetum is from the Greek athanasia, "immortality", possibly referring to the long-lived flowers of certain species, or to the practice of packing corpses with tansy leaves to preserve them and deter insects until burial.

Rhizomatous perennial with oblong, silver-green, mint-scented leaves, to 20cm (12in) long. Clusters of daisy-like flowers, about 1cm (½in) across, are borne on long stalks in late summer.

Common Name:

Alecost

Other Names:

Costmary

Botanical Name:

Tanacetum balsamita syn. Balsamita major, Chrysanthemum balsamita

Genus:

Tanacetum

Family:

Asteraceae

Native Location:

Europe to C Asia

Cultivation:

Well-drained to dry, stony soil in sun. Remove dead flower heads or Tanacetum parthenium to prevent excessive self-seeding. Tanacetum vulgare is invasive.

Propagation:

By seed sown at 10-13°C (50-55°F) in spring (species and some variants only); by division in spring or autumn; by basal cuttings in spring; by semi-ripe cuttings in summer.

Harvest:

Whole plants (T. parthenium, T. vulgare) are cut when flowers, and leaves are picked as required, and used fresh or dried in infusions, liquid extracts, powders, and tinctures. Tanacetum vulgare is distilled for oil. Leaves (T. parthenium) are sometimes eaten fresh, or dried for use in tablets to treat migraine, rheumatism, and arthritis. Flowers (T. cinerariifolium are picked as they open and are dried for powder.

Height:

90cm (36in)

Width:

60cm (24in)

Variants:

Subsp. balsametoides var. tormentosum
(Camphor Plant)
Has camphor-scented foliage.
Height: 1m (3ft)
Width: 1m (3ft)

Hardiness:

Z4-8

Parts Used:

Leaves

Properties:

A bitter, astringent, laxative herb with a balsam-mint aroma. It improves digestion and liver function.

Medicinal Uses:

Now obsolete medicinally, but once used internally as a liver and gall bladder remedy, and externally for insect stings.

Culinary Uses:

Fresh leaves may be added with discretion to salads, dressings, meat and vegetable dishes; dried leaves are infused as tea.

Ecomonic Uses:

Dried leaves added to potpourris. Leaves used in brewing beer.

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