Pellitory

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Pellitory usually refers to a plant (Anacyclus pyrethrum), of the family Asteraceae, containing an oil once used for the relief of toothache and facial neuralgia.

It can also refer to similar species in the same family such as:

• Plants of the genus Achillea, including Achillea ptarmica (European pellitory, bastard pellitory, or wild pellitory)
• Pyrethrum (Chrysanthemum cinerariaefolium), Dalmatian pellitory

Or similar species of the family Urticaceae:

• Plants of the genus Parietaria, including Parietaria officinalis (pellitory of the wall) and Parietaria judaica (spreading pellitory)

The Latin word for pellitory was pyrethrum, from Greek purethron, meaning "feverfew" (yet another member of Asteraceae), which was in turn from Greek pur, meaning "fire", from its purported warming effect.