Santolina Health Dictionary

Santolina: From 1 Different Sources


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.

Health Source: The Encyclopedia of Essential Oils
Author: Julia Lawless

Santolina Chamaecyparissus

Linn.

Family: Compositae.

Habitat: Mediterranean region. Grown as an ornamental on the hills of South India.

English: Lavender Cotton.

Action: Plant—stomachic, antispas- modic, vermifuge, emmenagogue, analgesic, anti-inflammatory.

The herb contains flavonoids, particularly 6-methoxy flavones; pectoli- narigenin, hispidulin, nepetin and an essential oil.

The extract of flowers, leaves and roots of the plant are reported to be active against Gram-positive bacteria. Anti-inflammatory effects of the herb were demonstrated in rats without ul- cerogenicity or toxicity. (Planta Medica, 6, 1986.)... santolina chamaecyparissus



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