Alkanna
Historical document, translated for reference. It reflects medical knowledge of the 1920s–30s and is not medical advice.
Summary
Alkanna tinctoria is a perennial herbaceous plant of the borage family native to southern Europe and Asia Minor. Its root contains alkannin, a dark red water-insoluble dye used to color oils and pomades, and serving in microscopy as a reagent for fats, oils, and resins.
Encyclopedia entry (1928–1936)
ALKANNA, Alkanna tinctoria L. Tausch., a perennial herbaceous plant of the borage family (Boraginaceae), growing wild in southern Europe and Asia Minor. The root of alkanna contains the coloring matter alkannin, which appears as a dark red water-insoluble powder used for coloring oils, pomades, and the like. An infusion of alkanna serves in microscopic technique as a reagent for fats, oils, and resins.
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Cite this page
“Alkanna.” Soviet Medical Encyclopedia. English translation of Bolshaya Meditsinskaya Entsiklopediya, 1st ed. (Moscow, 1928–1936), ed. N. A. Semashko. https://sovietmedicalencyclopedia.pages.dev/article/alkanna/