Costmary (also known as Alecost, Sweet Tongue, Balsam Herb, Mace, Allspice)

Tanacetum balsamita

Other common names for costmary allude to its uses. As a flavoring of ales and spiced wine, it was called Alecost. The name Allspice applied to this herb may be a variant spelling for ale-spice, or perhaps the herb’s scent reminded someone of the spice allspice.

Sweet tongue, refers to both the taste and the shape of the leaves.

The whole of this plant emits a soft balsamic odour - pleasanter and more aromatic than that of Tansy - to which fact it owes its name of balsamita, In distinction to the feathery leaves of its near relative, the Tansy, the somewhat long and broad leaves of Costmary are entire, their margins only finely toothed. The plant will thrive in almost every soil or situation. Adds a minty flavor to beverages and fruit salads.