Alkanet - A Medicinal Plant

The plant attains a height of 1-3 feet when fully grown and bears purplish blue flowers which get replaced by nut like fruit.A decoction of these leaves and roots has been traditionally used by herbalists as a remedy to cure coughs and other problems of the chest. It was also used to cure melancholia and other similar hypochondriacal disorders.

There are many topic remedies made from the herb as it posses expectorant and demulcent activity. These topic treatments are used as remedies for cuts and bruises and to sooth irritated skin. The topic treatments are also used to cure phlebitis.

The herb is also used as a homeopathic treatment to cure ulcers in mouth and duodenum. The fragrance of dried leaves is rich and musky and is hence also used in potpourris. The fragrance of the leaves is similar to the leaves of wild strawberry and is hence used extensively in potpourris.

The roots and leaves of the plant when crushed bear a red dye which was used by traditional Arabic women as dye to decorate hands and feet. This plant hence derives its name from the Arabic name ‘henna’ which was translated into this herb. Traditional French women used a powdered form of the plant as temporary make up.

Alkanet basically is a European species but is now grown in North America and South America too. It is classified as a weed in most of the places where it is found. This herb grows well in sunny climate and can thrive in most of the soil type.

In order to grow this herb, the seeds must be planted during the spring time in pots filled with sandy soil. Seeds will germinate in around one to four weeks at an average temperature of 21°c. These plants grow into large plants, hence they must be planted out into a garden bed during summers so that they can attain their full height.