Alkanet (Alkanna tinctoria) 

 Flowers: June. Height: 20cm (8in).

Alkanna is derived from the Spanish word Alcanna which in turn comes from the Arabic word for henna – Alhana. 

It also comes from the Greek word Anchousa meaning paint due to the use of the root as a dye. It is also known as Dyers Bugloss and Dyers Alkanet.

Red dye made from the root.

Medicinal: The root was used internally to treat coughs and catarrh and externally for skin wounds, itchy rashes,  bed sores, and as an antidote to venomous bites.  

Pedanius Dioscorides (c.40 – 90 AD) was a Greek physician, pharmacologist, botanist, and author of De Materia Medica – a 5-volume Greek encyclopedia about herbal medicine that was widely read for more than 1,500 years. He was employed as a physician in the Roman army. He indicated that the root, made up with oil in a searecloth, was good for old ulcers.

Culinary: Roots were used to colour syrups and jellies.