Santolina chamaecyparissus
FAMILY: Asteraceae (Compositae)
SYNONYMS: Lavandula taemina, cotton lavender
GENERAL DESCRIPTION: An evergreen, woody shrub with whitish-grey foliage and small, bright yellow, ball-shaped flowers borne on long single stalks. The whole plant has a strong rather rank odour, a bit like chamomile.
DISTRIBUTION: Native to Italy, now common throughout the Mediterranean region. Much grown as a popular border herb.
OTHER SPECIES: There are several varieties such as S. fragrantissima. It is not related to true lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) despite the common name.
HERBAL/FOLK TRADITION: It was used as an antidote to all sorts of poison, and to expel worms; also ‘good against obstruction of the liver, the jaundice and to promote the menses’.. It was used to keep away moths from linen, to repel mosquitos, and as a remedy for insect bites, warts, scabs and verrucae. The Arabs are said to have used the juice for bathing the eyes.
ACTIONS: Antispasmodic, antitoxic, anthelmintic, insecticidal, stimulant, vermifuge.
EXTRACTION: Essential oil by steam distillation from the seeds.
CHARACTERISTICS: A pale yellow liquid with a strong, acrid, herbaceous odour.
PRINCIPAL CONSTITUENTS: Only one principal constituent: santolinenone.
SAFETY DATA: Oral toxin. ‘There is no safety data available ... likely to be dangerously toxic.’.
AROMATHERAPY/HOME: USE None.
OTHER USES: Little used in flavour or perfumery work due to toxicity.... santolina
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