Costmary

Botanical reference entry

On this page

Parts Usually Used
Description of Plant(s) and Culture
Where Found
Medicinal Properties
Biochemical Information
Legends, Myths and Stories
Uses
Bibliography

Parts Usually Used

Leaves

Description of Plant(s) and Culture

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.

Where Found

Grows in sandy soil as well as well-drained clay soil.

Medicinal Properties

Astringent, antiseptic, aperient, aromatic, carminative, diaphoretic

Biochemical Information

Essential oils and other constituents not identified

Legends, Myths and Stories

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. ” 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. 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 “Bible leaf” grew popular. Ages ago, costmary leaves were dropped into a drooping pint of ale to bring the drink back to life. Very popular among beer drinkers. The name of this sweet-smelling herb combines the Latin word costus (meaning fragrant root) with “Mary” the mother of Jesus. In medieval France costmary was called “Herbe Sainte-Marie”, 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’ feet. Originally found in the Orient, it was introduced into England in the 16th century and soon became extremely popular. A relative of the “mums” with a minty flavor. A 220 year old book states: “Many people are fond of this herb in soups. ” Found growing in New England and old home-sites.

Uses

Historically, herbalists utilized costmary for digestive complaints, including diarrhea, indigestion, gas, and intestinal worms, as well as for colds, flu, fever, and rheumatism. Traditional practitioners also applied the crushed leaves topically for bee stings. Additionally, costmary was prepared into ointments intended for external conditions such as bruises, sores, burns, blisters, scabs, dry itches, strained veins and sinews, and external vermin.

Bibliography

The Herb Book , by John Lust, Bantam Books, 666 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY. copyright 1974. , Lotus Press, PO Box 325, Twin Lakes. , 15 Columbus Circle, New York, NY 10023 The Rodale Herb Book: How to Use, Grow, and Buy Nature’s Miracle Plants (An Organic gardening and farming book) , edited by William H. Hylton, Rodale Press, Inc. , 1974 Old Ways Rediscovered , by Clarence Meyer, Meyerbooks, publisher, PO Box 427, Glenwood, Illinois 60425, published from 1954, print 1988 Country Home Book of Herbs , Meredith Books, Editorial Dept.