Dyer's Alkanet

Some 25-30 perennials occur from S Europe to Iran. Alkanna tinctoria is found on limestone screes, pine forests, and coastal sands; it is useful for very dry, sandy, or alkaline soils. Several species, known as "alkanets", are important as dye plants. Alkanna, from the Spanish alcanna, in turn derives from the Arabic word for henna. Various alkanets are used as colorants, yielding reds, pinks, and flesh tones. Alkanna tinctoria was mentioned as the source of purple dye to aldulterate true purples from shellfish in Greco-Egyptian texts dating back to the 3rd century CE. It was used in cosmetics in ancient Greek and Roman times, and as a wine colorant in Europe until banned by the EEC. Primarily dye plants, alkanets do contain compounds that have medicinal applications. Like many members of the family Boraginaceae, some contain a liver-damaging pyrrolizidine alkoloid, which make internal use inadvisable.

Perennial with thick, purple-brown root and linear to lanceolate, hairy leaves, to 8cm (3in). Funnel shaped, 5 petaled blue flowers appear in late summer.

Common Name:	Dyer's Alkanet
Other Names:	Dyer's Bugloss, Spanish Bugloss
Botanical Name:	Alkanna tinctoria
Genus:	Alkanna
Family:	Boraginaceae
Native Location:	S Europe and Middle East
Cultivation:	Well-drained to dry soil, including alkaline and sandy soils, in sun or partial shade.
Propagation:	Seed in spring; autumn division
Harvest:	Roots are lifted in autumn and dried for powders, or macerated fresh in oil or fat.
Height:	10-30cm (4-12in)
Width:	20-30cm (8-12in)
Hardiness:	Z8-9
Parts Used:	Roots
Properties:	An astringent, anti-bacterial herb that encourages healing and relieves itching.
Medicinal Uses:	Externally for varicose and indolent ulcers, bed sores, and itching rashes.
Economic Uses:	Used as a purple colorant for wood, foods, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics.
Warning:	This herb is subject to legal restrictions in some countries.
Bibliography:	Encyclopedia of Herbs by Deni Brown Copyright © 1995, 2001 Dorling Kindersley Limited. pg 111