Alkanet

The name alkanet generally refers to Alkanna tinctoria or Dyer's Bugloss (though it may be used for Anchusa officinalis or Common Bugloss).

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It is a member of the Borage family Boraginaceae.

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Alkanna tinctoria is also known as orchanet, dyer's bugloss, Spanish bugloss or bugloss of Languedoc. Its name comes from the Spanish word alcana, from Arabic al-hena, after henna, (Lawsonia inermis).

Related Topics:
Bugloss - Henna

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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 tinctures, oils, wines, varnishes, etc. It is commonly used today as a food colouring.

Related Topics:
France - Levant - Dye - Tincture - Oil - Wine - Varnish - Food colouring

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It was listed in the 1918 U.S. Dispensatory. http://www.ibiblio.org/herbmed/eclectic/usdisp/alkanna.html

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