Alkanet to treat varicose veins
Alkanet, Anchusa tinctoria, but sometimes labeled Anchusa tuberculata or Alkanna tinctoria, is also known as Orchanet, Dyer’s Bugloss or Spanish Bugloss. It’s a member of the same family (Boraginaceae) as Borage and Viper’s Bugloss.
Alkanet is a hardy biennial, with a long tap root which makes it very difficult to eradicate once it is grown. It does not like acid soil, but tolerates dry, sandy and alkaline soils well.
Alkanet is generally thought of as purely a dye herb, but it can be used for medicinal purposes. The root is the part which is used, and should be dug up in the fall/autumn and can be dried for storage.
The root of alkanet has antibacterial properties, and also has the property of relieving itching. Make a decoction by putting 15g (half an ounce) of dried root in a small saucepan with 570ml (2½ US cups, 1 UK pint) of cold water. Bring to a boil and simmer until the liquid has reduced by half, strain and allow to cool before use. This can be used externally to treat open wounds, including bedsores and leg and foot ulcers, as well as varicose veins and any itchy rash.
To avoid the properties of alkanet, or any other medicinal herb, being subsumed by foreign chemicals, it’s important that it is grown organically. To find out more about growing organic alkanet visit the Gardenzone.
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