Deertongue Absolute
Deertongue Absolute. This plant is named because the leaves are shaped like a deer's tongue - long and narrow, with a reddish-purple streak at the base. It is most commonly found in damp, pine flatwoods, which are kept open by regular fires. The plant is sometimes called vanilla leaf, or wild vanilla, because of the distinct smell of vanilla when the leaves are crushed. The leaves contain crystals of a chemical called coumarin, which gives off the vanilla-like odor. In the 1900's, the leaves were collected and sold to flavor pipe and cigarette tobacco, however, modern processes use artificial additives to enhance tobacco flavor, so deer tongue is no longer collected commercially for this purpose. The plant has been used for some medicinal purposes. A warm, bitter drink prepared from the leaves is said to be effective in reducing fevers, soothing irritated mucous membranes and cleansing the blood, by promoting perspiration.
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| Botanical Name: | Carphephorus odoratissima (J.F. Gmel.) Herbert |
| Family: | Asteraceae |
| Synonyms: | Trilisa odoratissima, Liatris odoratissima, Frasera soecrosa, hound's tongue, deer's tongue, carolina vanilla, vanilla leaf, wild vanilla, vanilla trilisa, whart's tongue, liatrix. |
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| Parts Used: | Dried Leaves |
| Extraction Method: | Solvent extraction |
| Appearance: | Dark green viscous liquid |
| Aroma Description: | Rich, herbaceous, new-mown hay. |
| Perfume note: | |
| Consistancy: | Thick |
| Strength of Initial Aroma: | |
| Blends well with: | |
| Historical Uses: | The roots have been used in herbal medicine for their diuretic effects. It has been associated with contraception and sterility in women. |
| Modern Uses: | Used as a fixative and fragrance in soaps and cosmetics, and for flavouring in tobacco products. |
| Cautions: | Possible toxic, possible dermal irritant and phototoxic. |
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