Anchusa tinctoria, Alkanet
Dyers Bugloss, Spanish Bugloss, Alkanna
Salmon, Botanologia, 1710
Andrews, The botanist’s repository, 1809-1810
Hand-Atlas Medicinisch-Pharmaceutischer, 1884
Botanical name:
Alkanna tinctoria (syn. Anchusa tinctoria, Lithospermum tinctoria)
Salmon listed 6 varieties, only the first 3 being used medicinally:
1. Great Yellow Alkanet, Anchusa
2. Lesser Alkanet with purple flowers, Anchusa altera
3. Small Alkanet with yellow flowers, Anchusa tertia
4. Woody Alkanet, Anchusa Lignosior
5. Low Alkanet of Candy, Anchusa Humilis Cretica
6. Great or Tall Alkanet, Anchusa arborea
Parts used:
Roots and rhizome
Temperature & Taste:
Neutral, dry
Classifications:
Repercussive, Abstersive, Styptic, Astringent, Vulnerary
Stomatic, Cardiac, Hysteric, Nephritic
Uses:
1. Clears Heat, Resists Poison:
-promotes expression of rashes in Measles, Small Pox
-Fevers (decocted in Wine)
-Abscesses, Sores
-Inflammations, Erysipeals
-used for ‘Poison of all kinds’
2. Clears Heat and Damp, opens Obstructions:
-diseases of the Kidney and Spleen; also Jaundice
3. Moves Blood, Resolves Stasis:
-Trauma, Bruising, Internal Wounds
-has been used for Tumors and Cancers
4. Clears Heat, Stops Leakage:
-‘Fluxes of all kinds’
-Diarrhea, Leukorrhea
-strengthens a weak back (Salmon)
5. Externally:
-topically for Wounds, indolent Ulcers, Abscesses and Sores (since ancient Greece)
-in douches for Candida and Leukorrhea
-as a pessary to expel a Dead Child (Salmon)
-externally for Bruising
Dose:
Powder: 1–3 grams
Decoction: 3–6 grams
Main Combinations:
Cautions:
1. Toxic in overdose or long-term usage
2. Not used in Pregnancy or Breastfeeding
3. Modern authorities recommend for external use only. (Duke)
