Balsamite

Potentially mildly neurotoxic due to thujone content.

Maximum adult daily oral dose 700 mg, based on 1 percent thujone and a limit of 0.1 mg per kg.

No specific contraindications.

Maximum dermal use level 2.3 percent, based on 51.5 percent carvone content and a limit of 1.2 percent to avoid skin sensitization.

Chrysanthemum balsamita is a hardy perennial herb with long, silver-grey leaves, in the daisy family. Native to western and central Asia.

The aerial parts are steam-distilled. A camphor chemotype exists but is not currently commercially produced.

Botanical synonyms include Balsamita major and Pyrethrum majus.

Limited availability. The folk name alecost recalls a medieval practice of flavoring ale with the aromatic leaves.