Anacyclus pyrethrum
Species of plant
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Through Species, Flowering plant and Native species
The plants known as pellitory-of-the-wall and spreading pellitory belong to a different family, the nettles (Urticaceae).
Names
Although one might assume from the specific epithet pyrethrum that this plant contains pyrethrins, it does not. Both pyrethrum and "pellitory" derive ultimately from the ancient Greek for "fire" (πῦρ).
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Vernacular names
Anacyclus pyrethrum is known by various regional names in India and is commonly used in traditional systems like Ayurveda and Unani medicine.
Cultivation
Anacyclus pyrethrum var. depressus (sometimes considered a separate species, Anacyclus depressus), called mat daisy or Mount Atlas daisy, is grown as a spring-blooming, low-water ornamental. It produces mats of grey-green, ferny foliage and single daisy-like white flowers. It is suitable for growing in an alpine or rock garden. It has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.
Medicinal uses
Extracts of Anacyclus pyrethrum have anabolic activity in mice and also increase testosterone in the animal model.
Ayurveda and Siddha medical traditions in India use it for diseases of the abdomen, sciatica, cough and others. It is called Akkal-Kara in Hindi, Akkal Kadha in Marathi, Akkala-karra Malayalam, Akkarkkara (അകർക്കാര)(Telugu: అక్కలకఱ్ఱ) and Akkarakaaram (Tamil: அக்கரகாரம்). A kind of oil is prepared by a method known as pit extraction (Tamil: குழி எண்ணெய்).
In The Perfumed Garden (from 15th century Tunisia), al-Nefzawi recommends pelleter taken externally as an ointment on the penis and scrotum or internally to enhance sexual pleasure and enhance erection (ch. 13, 15, 17).