Costmary Tanacetum balsamita L.


  • Common Names
  • Costmary , Balsam Herb. Costmarie, Alecost
  • Botanical Name
  • Tanacetum balsamita L.
  • Family
  • ASTERACEAE
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Medicinal Uses & Benefits of Costmary

remedyHow to Use| Side Effects | Plant & Garden|


  • Parts Used: Leaves
  • Constituents: essential oils includes carvone as the main component with minor amounts of beta-thujone, t-dihydrocarvone, c-dihydrocarvone, dihydrocarveol isomer c-carveol and t-carveol

How to Use: Costmary


Costmary has a pleasant balsam-like fragrance and though it was once used medicinally it is now rarely found in the garden or apothecary of modern herbalists. Costmary does have mild astringent properties making it a good addition to ointments, scented potpourri, and herbal baths.

Preparation Methods & Dosage :Costmary leaves can be infused in teas, or used fresh in salads. The aerial parts are often dried and used in pot-pourri as it retains it scent well.


Costmary Side Effects: Costmay has been used to bring on delayed menstrual periods; if you are pregnant, avoid internal use.

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Plant Description


  • Plant Class:Perennial
  • Etymology: From the Greek athanasia Immortality, for the long lived flowers
  • Flowers/Fruit/Seeds:Daisy-like clusters of flowers on long stalks
  • Parts used: Leaves
  • Leaves:Mint scented, oblong silver green
  • Flowering Season:Summer
  • Distribution: Northern temperate zones

Regional Traditions :North America *

How to Grow Costmary

Needs sun to flower, Propagation by root division in spring, spreads freely, and needs to be contained in the garden.


History and Traditions & Folklore

Native to the Orient, costmary is now found in almost all countries. It was brought to the new world by early English colonists who combined it with lavender to scent linens and blankets. The common name Bible Leaf comes from the New England practice of chewing the minty leaves to stay awake during long sermons. Costmary has become a rare sight in modern gardens. 1

It is under the dominion of Jupiter. It is astringent to the stomach, and strengtheneth the liver, and all the other inward parts, and if taken in whey worketh the more effectually. Taken fasting in the morning, it is very profitable for pains of the head that are continual
Nicholas Culpeper, 1653

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