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Cedronella canariensis - (L.)Webb.&Berth.

Balm Of Gilead

Author	(L.)Webb.&Berth.	Botanical references
Family	Labiatae	Genus	Cedronella
Synonyms	Cedronella triphylla - Moench.
Known Hazards	None known
Range	N. Africa - Canary Isles.
Habitat	Not known
Edibility Rating	2 (1-5)	Medicinal Rating	0 (1-5)

Physical Characteristics

Perennial growing to 1.5m by 1m.

The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and requires well-drained soil. The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It requires moist soil.

Habitats

Woodland Garden; Dappled Shade; South Wall By; West Wall By;

Edible Uses

Edible Uses: Tea.

The leaves are used in the preparation of a tea called 'Thé de Canaries'[183]. It is very aromatic. The leaves are best harvested before the plant comes into flower and are dried for later use[238].

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.

None known

Other Uses

Pot-pourri.

The aromatic leaves are dried for use in pot-pourri with a musky woody scent[238].

Scented Plants

Leaves: Crushed

The whole plant is very aromatic, emitting a sweet cedar-like scent.

Cultivation details

Requires a well-drained soil in a warm sunny position[182]. This species is not very hardy in Britain, usually dying overwinter even in the milder areas of the country. It can be grown as an annual however, when it will usually flower and set viable seed. Plants sometimes survive mild winters when they are grown outdoors. If you grow the plant outdoors, then it is a good idea to take basal cuttings in early summer and keep these in an unheated greenhouse over the winter. Even if your outdoor plants are killed by the cold, these greenhouse plants should survive and supply replacement stock[K]. The whole plant is very aromatic, emitting a sweet cedar-like scent[182, 200].

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse. It usually germinates in about 2 weeks at 15°c. Prick out the seedlings when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts[K]. Division in spring[200]. Very easy, larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the summer or late in the following spring. Basal cuttings in late spring or early summer[200]. Harvest the shoots when they are about 10 - 15cm long with plenty of underground stem. Pot them up into individual pots and keep them in light shade in a cold frame or greenhouse until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the summer.

Links

References

[K] Ken Fern
Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.

[182] Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray 1992 ISBN 0-7195-5043-2
Contains a wide range of plants with a brief description, mainly of their ornamental value but also usually of cultivation details and varieties.

[183] Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9
Excellent. Contains a very wide range of conventional and unconventional food plants (including tropical) and where they can be obtained (mainly N. American nurseries but also research institutes and a lot of other nurseries from around the world.

[200] Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.

[238] Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995 ISBN 0-7513-020-31
A very well presented and informative book on herbs from around the globe. Plenty in it for both the casual reader and the serious student. Just one main quibble is the silly way of having two separate entries for each plant.

Readers Comments

Plants for a Future does not verify the accuracy of reader comments, use at your own risk. In particular Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. You should always consult a professional before using plants medicinally.

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