Contents:<\/h4>\n
Common Names<\/a> | Parts Usually Used<\/a> | Plant(s) & Culture<\/a> | Where Found<\/a> | Medicinal Properties<\/a> | Biochemical Information<\/a> <\/center><\/p>\n \n<\/b> Back to Top<\/font><\/a> <\/p>\n Leaves Costmary has small daisy-like flowers with white ray petals. Its leaves have a strong camphorlike mild scent. Grows to 12 inches tall, with gray-green leaves and 3-foot-tall flower stalks with insignificant yellow flowers. The shiny, pear shaped light green leaves are 6-8 inches long with finely, short, sturdy, and slightly downy branches. Blooms in late summer. The plant forms no seeds. Grows in sandy soil as well as well-drained clay soil. Astringent, antiseptic, aperient, aromatic, carminative, diaphoretic Essential oils and other constituents not identified More than a thousand years ago, Costmary was taken from its native home of India and brought to Asia Minor. From there it was carried to most parts of Europe and then to the New World. It was reared in New England gardens and brought westward to the Rockies with civilization. Here the plant seems to have reached the end of its journey as well as popularity. It is now found mainly in the wild state on very old farm sites. Costmary is a handsome, silvery yellow green plant with scent similar to Spearmint. The plant forms clusters of base leaves with slender stalks of daisy like flowers. Formerly dried branches were tied with lavender and placed in chests and drawers as moth repellent and to give linens a fresh sweet scent. The leaves were used to make \u201csweete washing water.\u201d Because of its taste and aroma, the herb was used to give ale a spicy flavor. For this reason, it was known also as Ale-cost.<\/p>\n The leaves of costmary are put in Bibles or in linens to give a sweet aroma. A leaf often served as a bookmark in the Bibles and prayerbooks of churchgoers. Costmary has always had a special place in Christianity. When the sermon grew boring and drowsiness set in, the sleepy listener treated self to a minty flavor of the costmary leaf in an effort to stay awake. Therefore, the nickname \u201cBible leaf\u201d grew popular.<\/p>\n Ages ago, costmary leaves were dropped into a drooping pint of ale to bring the drink back to life. Very popular among beer drinkers.<\/p>\n The name of this sweet-smelling herb combines the Latin word costus (meaning fragrant root) with \u201cMary\u201d the mother of Jesus. In medieval France costmary was called \u201cHerbe Sainte-Marie\u201d, but other references identify it with Mary Magdalene as often as the Virgin Mary. According to medieval legend, costmary was the balsam with which Mary Magdalene washed Jesus\u2019 feet.<\/p>\n Originally found in the Orient, it was introduced into England in the 16th century and soon became extremely popular.<\/p>\n A relative of the \u201cmums\u201d with a minty flavor. A 220 year old book states: \u201cMany people are fond of this herb in soups. The French used leaves to give fragrance to salads.\u201d Found growing in New England and old home-sites. Early use of Costmary was to ease the pain of childbirth. Crushed costmary leaves help ease the pain and swelling of a bee sting. Useful in the treatment of dysentery and diarrhea, worms, colds, flu, fever, indigestion, gas, rheumatism, ointment used for bruises, heals old ulcers, sores, dry itches, strains of veins and sinews, burns, the shingles, blisters, external vermin, and scabs. Standard infusion or 3-9 grams; tincture, 10-30 drops. Herbal Gardening<\/i>, compiled by The Robison York State Herb Garden, Cornell Plantations, Matthaei Botanical Gardens of the University of Michigan, University of California Botanical Garden, Berkeley., Pantheon Books, Knopf Publishing Group, New York, 1994, first edition<\/p>\n
\nLegends, Myths and Stories<\/a> | Uses<\/a> | Formulas or Dosages<\/a> | Bibliography<\/a><\/p>\nScientific Names<\/h3>\n
![\"Costmary\"](\"http:\/\/medicinalherbinfo.org\/000Herbs2016\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/Costmary.jpg\")
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Common Names<\/a> <\/h3>\n
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\nParts Usually Used<\/a><\/h3>\n
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\nBack to Top<\/font><\/a><\/p>\n
\nDescription of Plant(s) and Culture<\/a><\/h3>\n
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\nWhere Found<\/a><\/h3>\n
\nBack to Top<\/font><\/a><\/p>\n
\nMedicinal Properties<\/a><\/h3>\n
\nBack to Top<\/font><\/a><\/p>\n
\nBiochemical Information<\/a><\/h3>\n
\nBack to Top<\/font><\/a><\/p>\n
\nLegends, Myths and Stories<\/a><\/h3>\n
\nBack to Top<\/font><\/a><\/p>\n
\nUses<\/a><\/h3>\n
\nBack to Top<\/font><\/a><\/p>\n
\nFormulas or Dosages<\/a><\/h3>\n
\nBack to Top<\/font><\/a><\/p>\n
\nBibliography<\/a><\/h3>\n
![\"Buy](\"http:\/\/medicinalherbinfo.org\/000Herbs2016\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/buyit.gif\"){kind=small}
The Herb Book<\/a>![\"\"](\"http:\/\/ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com\/e\/ir?t=medherinf-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0879040076\")
Culpeper’s Complete Herbal & English Physician: Updated With 117 Modern Herbs<\/a>![\"\"](\"http:\/\/ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com\/e\/ir?t=medherinf-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1438243081\")
The Herbalist Almanac<\/a>![\"\"](\"http:\/\/ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com\/e\/ir?t=medherinf-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0916638022\")
Planetary Herbology<\/a>![\"\"](\"http:\/\/ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com\/e\/ir?t=medherinf-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0941524272\")
Webster’s New World Dictionary<\/a>![\"\"](\"http:\/\/ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com\/e\/ir?t=medherinf-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1476705046\")
The Rodale Herb Book: How to Use, Grow, and Buy Nature’s Miracle Plants (An Organic gardening and farming book)<\/a>![\"\"](\"http:\/\/ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com\/e\/ir?t=medherinf-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0878570764\")
Old Ways Rediscovered<\/a>![\"\"](\"http:\/\/ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com\/e\/ir?t=medherinf-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0916638189\")
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com\/e\/ir?t=medherinf-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0696000830\")
<\/i>, Meredith Books, Editorial Dept. RW240, 1716 Locust Street, Des Moines, IA 50309-3023, copyright 1994<\/p>\n