Alecost, Costmary
Tanacetum balsamita

Family: Asteraceae or Compositae

What it is like

Tanacetum balsamita is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.9 m (3ft) by 1 m (3ft 3in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6. It is in flower from September to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

Height (m): 0.9

Where it is found

An introduced weed of roadsides in eastern N. America.

Europe to W. Asia.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 3

Leaves - raw or used as a flavouring in soups, beer etc. They can be chopped and added sparingly to salads. They have a very pleasant aroma, but can be overpowering in the food if you are not careful. The leaves were at one time widely used in brewing beer, before being superseded by hops (Humulus lupulus). The whole leaves can be laid in cake trays to flavour the cake whilst it is baking. The flower petals are used for conserves. A delicious tea is made from the dried leaves.

Condiment: the various plants that are used as flavourings, either as herbs, spices or condiments.

Tea: the various herb teas that can be used in place of tea, plus the genuine article.

Medicine

Rating: 2

Alecost is seldom used in herbal medicine, though it does have a beneficial effect upon the digestive system. The leaves are antiseptic, astringent, digestive and laxative. They have been used internally as an aperient in the treatment of dysentery, and as a remedy for liver and gall bladder complaints. Externally, they have been used as a salve to treat burns and insect stings. They are considered to be virtually obsolete in modern herbalism.

Antiseptic: Preventing sepsis, decay or putrefaction, it destroys or arrests the growth of micro-organisms.

Astringent: Produces contraction in living tissue, reducing the flow of secretions and discharges of blood, mucus, diarrhoea etc.

Digestive: Aids digestion.

Dysentery: Used in treating dysentery - an infection of the intestines that causes diarrhoea containing blood or mucus.

Laxative: Stimulates bowel movements in a fairly gentle manner.

Other

Rating:

The plant was traditionally used for its insecticidal properties. The dried leaves retain their fragrance well and so are used in pot-pourri, they are also used as a strewing herb.

Insecticide: Kills insects.

Pot-pourri: Aromatic plants used to impart a pleasant smell to an area. Can this be grouped with incense or essential oil?

Strewing: Plants, usually aromatic, that are strewn on the floor to give a nice smell, repel insects etc.

Scented Plants: Plants noted for their scent

How it is grown

An easily grown plant, it prefers a sunny warm position in a dry soil but thrives under most conditions. Tolerates a pH in the range 5.0 to 7.6. The leaves emit a soft balsamic odour. The sub-species T. balsamita tomentosum is called the camphor plant because of its camphor-scented foliage. Plants produces lot of leaves but no flowers when grown in the shade, though this is an advantage when the plant is being grown for its useful leaves. Alecost used to be commonly grown in the herb garden but it has fallen out of favour in recent times.

Propagating it: The seed is seldom produced in Britain. If seed is obtained it would probably be best sown in a cold frame in early spring. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Division in spring or autumn. Very easy, it can be done successfully at almost any time of the year. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is best to pot up smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a greenhouse or cold frame until they are growing away well. Plant them out in the summer or the following spring. Basal cuttings in late spring. Harvest the shoots with plenty of underground stem when they are about 8 - 10cm above the ground. Pot them up into individual pots and keep them in light shade in a cold frame or greenhouse until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the summer.

Best place to grow: Cultivated Beds;

Habit: Perennial

Hardiness: 5-9

Growth:

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Dry, moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Balsamita major. (L.)Desf. Chrysanthemum balsamita.