Definition

Noun: - A perennial Eurasian herb (Tanacetum balsamita or Chrysanthemum balsamita) known for its tansy-like scent. It has button-like yellow flowers and its leaves are used as a potherb, salad green, flavoring, or for making tea and potpourri.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • She grows balsam herb in her garden for use in salads.
  • The dried leaves of the balsam herb are often added to potpourri for their pleasant fragrance.

Advanced Usage

• Culinary and Medicinal Context: Historically, balsam herb was cultivated not only as a culinary herb but also for its supposed medicinal properties in herbal teas.
  • In folk medicine, an infusion of balsam herb was used to soothe digestive complaints.

Variants and Related Words

• Costmary: A common name for the same plant, .
• Alecost: Another historical name for this herb, derived from its use in flavoring ale.
• Mint geranium: A less common name referencing the scent of its leaves.

Synonyms

• Costmary
• Alecost
• Mint geranium (regional)

Notes on Different Meanings

• The primary meaning refers to the specific herb . It should not be confused with other aromatic plants or general "balsam" plants, which are different species.

Noun

1. tansy-scented Eurasian perennial herb with buttonlike yellow flowers; used as potherb or salad green and sometimes for potpourri or tea or flavoring; sometimes placed in genus Chrysanthemum