Impatiens tinctoria
John Grimshaw (Tue, 19 Aug 2008 01:34:41 PDT)

To answer Jim McKenney's question "Can someone tell us why it was named

'Women cook and pound the tubers into a paste which has a strong red dye in
it. The paste is applied to the palms of the hands and to the feet where it
turns the skin and nails black and shiny. This treatment helps control
fungal infections as well as toughen the skin. It is considered a beauty
treatment similar to that of henna.'

I think that the prospect of black finger nails does not warrant
experimenting with my plants.

John Grimshaw

Dr John M. Grimshaw
Sycamore Cottage
Colesbourne
Nr Cheltenham
Gloucestershire GL53 9NP

Tel. 01242 870567