Alkanet

Alkanet (Anchusa tinctoria, to which the name Alkanet or Alkanna—Arabic Al-chennch—more strictly belongs) is a native of the Levant and of the south of Europe, extending as far north as Hungary. The root is sold under the name of alkanet or alkanna-root, and is imported from the Levant. It appears in commerce in brittle pieces of the thickness of a quill or of the finger, the rind blackish externally, but internally dark red. It is sometimes adulterated with dyed roots of common alkanet (Anchusa officinalis). The root of Lawsonia inermis, a Lythraceous plant, was formerly often imported under the same name. Alkanet-root contains a resinous red colouring-matter, called Alkanna Red (Alkannin or Anchusin). The colour which it yields is very beautiful, but not very durable. It is readily soluble in oils and alcohol, and is therefore in very general use amongst perfumers for colouring oils, soaps, pomades, lip-salves, &c., and in the composition of stains and varnishes. The name of alkanet is also extended to the whole genus Anchusa, of which three species are common in Britain.