By Lorena Loarca, PhD
Pellitory or Anacyclus pyrethrum in Latin, is a plant that belongs to the Astaracea family, the same family of chamomile. It is also known by the name of Spanish chamomile, Arkara and Bertram. Pellitory is native to northern Algeria and was later taken to the eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East. This plant was used in Greek and Roman medicine and later was widely used in the Middle Ages.
St. Hildegard describes it as a plant that increases intelligence and purifies healthy people’s blood. It provides the sick with vigor, improves their eyesight and promotes good digestion by enhancing salivary glands function. St. Hildegard advises its frequent consumption to prevent the development of diseases.
Interestingly, scientific studies have shown the veracity of St. Hildegard’s statemets. Pellitory actually contains pyrethrin which is a compound with insecticidal and anti-inflammatory properties. In natural medicine pellitory has been widely used against a variety of infections. In Africa, for instance, pellitory is given for treatment of malaria and AIDS. It is also effective to relieve sciatica, paralysis, rheumatism, colds, as an aphrodisiac, to decrease dental pain, digestive problems, cysts in the genital system, infertility, and neuralgias. Moreover, pellitory contains inulin which is a prebiotic that helps the good maintenance of the intestinal flora. Scientific studies have reported that pellitory root has anti-cancer, antidiabetic, antimicrobial, aphrodisiac, and immunostimulant properties, among others. It is precisely the root that is used in St. Hildegard’s medicine. To consume it you only have to sprinkle its powder on food.
Literature cited:
Michel A, et al. Ma Bible Hildegarde de Bingen. Léduc Éditions. Paris, France 2022.
Elazzouzzi H, et al. Phytochemistry, Biological and Pharmacological Activities of the Anacyclus pyrethrum (L.) Lag: A Systematic Review. Plants. 2022, 11:2578
