Anacyclus pyrethrum

Anacyclus pyrethrum, the pellitory, Spanish chamomile, Mount Atlas daisy, bertram, or Akarkara, is a species of flowering plant in the daisy family Asteraceae.<ref name=AZEGP>Template:Cite book</ref> It is native to Mediterranean Europe and parts of North Africa, but also naturalised in other parts of Europe, India and Pakistan.<ref name = GRIN>Template:GRIN</ref> This herbaceous perennial resembles chamomile species in habitat and appearance.

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.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Both pyrethrum and "pellitory" derive ultimately from the ancient Greek for "fire" (πῦρ).<ref name=SOED>Template:Cite book</ref>

Vernacular names

Anacyclus pyrethrum is known by various regional names in India and is commonly used in traditional systems like Ayurveda and Unani medicine.

Language	Vernacular Name	Script
Hindi	Akarkara	अकरकरा
Sanskrit	Akarkarabh	अकरकरभ
Urdu	Aqarqarha	اقرقرحا
Tamil	Akkirakaram	அக்கிரகரம்
Telugu	Akarkara	అకర్కర
Kannada	Akarkara	ಅಕಾರ್ಕರ
Malayalam	Akarkaram	അകര്കാരം

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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.<ref name = RHSPF>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

• Anacyclus pyrethrum depressus habitus1.jpg

  Var. depressus

• Anacyclus pyrethrum depressus open.jpg

  same plant, flower detail

• Anacyclus pyrethrum depressus closed.jpg

  Var. depressus, flowers closed

Medicinal uses

Extracts of Anacyclus pyrethrum have anabolic activity in mice and also increase testosterone in the animal model.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>

Ayurveda (ancient Mesopotamian now Indian medical system) and Siddha (the real ancient medical system of India (Dravidian), have uses for this plant root and it has been used for centuries as a medicine.Template:Citation needed It is called Akkal-Kara in Hindi, Akkal Kadha in Marathi, Akkala-karra Malayalam, Akkarkkara (അകർക്കാര)(Telugu: అక్కలకఱ్ఱ)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and Akkarakaaram (Tamil: அக்கரகாரம்). A kind of oil is prepared by a method known as pit extraction (Tamil: குழி எண்ணெய்).Template:Medcn

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).

External links

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