Alkanet - a biennial herb with coarsely hairy stems and leaves rising from a cluster of basal leaves and growing 1- 3 feet tall.
In modern folk medicine an alkanet tea is still specified for the treatment of melancholy, to ease coughing, to promote sweating and break a fever, to soften and soothe the skin, and as a diuretic, astringent, and "blood purifier" (an agent that reputedly purges toxic substances from the body).
Alkanet is principally employed in herbal medicine today as an expectorant (for bringing up phlegm) and as an emollient (for soothing and softening the skin).
Alkanet generally refers to Alkanna tinctoria or Dyer's bugloss (though it may be used for Anchusa officinalis or common bugloss) It is a member of the family Boraginaceae.
Alkanet is grown in the south of France and on the shores of the Levant.
Its root yields a fine red colouring matter which has been used as a cloth dye and to tint tincture s, oil s, wine s, varnish es, etc. It is commonly used today as a food colouring.
The name alkanet generally refers to Alkanna tinctoria or Dyer's bugloss (though it may be used for Anchusa officinalis or common bugloss).
Alkanet tinctoria is also known as orchanet, dyer's bugloss, Spanish bugloss or bugloss of Languedoc.
Its root yields a fine red colouring matter which has been used as a cloth dye and to tint tinctures, oils, wines, varnishes, etc. It is commonly used today as a food colouring.
According to Culpeper, common alkanet is not only a Venus herb, but "one of her darlings." He recommended it be made into an ointment applied against various heats of the skin.
Common alkanet is a demulcent (soothing), typical for a Venus herb, although the leaves are rough and scratchy.
Common alkanet is a short-lived perennial or biennial, depending on conditions, forming a rosette of leaves the first year and flowering the second year.
