Alkanet.
Botanical name:
Anchusa.
ALKANET is a rough plant, of no great beauty, cultivated in France and Germany for the sake of its root. It grows to a foot and half high: the leaves are large, and of a rough irregular surface, and bluish green colour; the flowers are small and purplish; the root is long, and of a deep purple. It is kept dried in the shops. It has the credit of an astringent and vulnerary; but it is little used. The best way of giving of it, is to add half an ounce to a quart of hartshorn drink; it gives a good colour, and increases the virtue.
