PlantFiles: Costmary, Alecost, Bible Leaf, Mint Geranium
Balsamita major

A herb which has been grown for many centuries and is possibly native to Eastern Europe and Central Asia.

Has soft, slightly hairy, fine toothed, pale green leaves upto 12 inches long, which have a scent of balsam or mint. Bears clusters of small, white, rayed flowers with yellow centres. It probably won't set seed in cooler areas. It spreads by rhizomes where happy.

Flowers August - October

Likes a well drained soil in full sun but if its leaves you want, and to be honest the flowers aren't worth much in the way of ornamentation, partial shade will produce a leafy plant.

It isn't very pretty and its main use fell out of fashion with the appearance of hops. However it still has other uses.

It was used in brewing ale to aid in the preservation and possibly add some flavour.

Also used in liver treatments, indigestion and digestive disorders in the middle ages.

It was also a 'Bible leaf' plant, these were plants whos the leaves were used as a book mark for the Bible. The reason for these Bible leaves, and sometimes aromatic posies, were to ally hunger (by the scent not by eating!) while listening to long sermons.

It was also a useful strewing herb.

Its most current uses are in pot pourri, in salads, as a tonic tea for colds, stomach cramps, easing chlid birth and catarrh.

It makes a good hair tonic and is reputed to rid hair of headlice and as a scented rinse for the skin.

The leaves can also be bruised and rubbed onto insect stings and bites to ease the pain.