Ustukhuddus
Lavandula stoechas is a plant of the
Lamiaceae/Labiatae family. Lavandula is
from the Latin words for ‘violet’ and ‘to
wash’ and refers to the flower colour and
Stoechas from its growing on the
Stoechades, a group of islands on the south
coast of Gaul near Massila and it is much
used by Muslim physicians. Lavandula
stoechas known as “Ustukhuddus” at
subcontinent. In Western India, it is
wrongly named “Alfazema”. In Spain it is
known as “Romero Santo” meaning sacred
rosemary. In the unani system it is
described as “Jaroobe dimagh” which
means “broom of brain” because of its
removing the black bile from the brain,
give strengthens and improves the
intellect. It was first described by Galen
(First Pharmacist) so it is called “Galeenial
herb”. Dioscorides described it in the book
“Kitabul Hashaiash”. Avicena (The Prince
of Physicians) described it in his famous
book “The Canon of Medicine”. The oil
content of Lavandula stoechas varies from
0.77-1.2%. The taste of plant is bitter.
Grey coloured and slightly bitter in taste
with pungency is rated best quality plant.
Flowers are in cluster having a smell like
Camphor