19 October, 2026
In short: Powdered flowers were traded as an insecticide in the 19th century under names such as “Persian powder” and “Dalmatian powder”. The most potent species is Dalmatian pyrethrum (Tanacetum cinerariifolium). Work on the structure of pyrethrins later led to synthetic pyrethroids. Today the flowers are grown mainly in highland regions such as East Africa and Tasmania.
The development of insect-control solutions offers a notable example of the value of plant-derived compounds: the pyrethrum plant (Tanacetum cinerariifolium).
This species produces daisy-like flowers with white petals and yellow central discs. The flower heads contain a group of naturally occurring active compounds collectively known as pyrethrins. These compounds act on the insect nervous system, underpinning the application value of pyrethrum as a raw material for insect control.
Historically, commercial pyrethrum powder was associated with the Dalmatian coast along the Adriatic Sea, in what is now the Balkan region. The flower heads were harvested, dried and ground into powder for use in insect-control preparations. The term “Persian powder” sometimes appears in popular accounts of the product’s history. However, it should not be treated as the sole historical name or as definitive evidence of the plant’s botanical origin without specific historical documentation.
Natural pyrethrins are not a single substance. The group consists of six principal compounds, commonly classified as pyrethrin I, pyrethrin II, cinerin I, cinerin II, jasmolin I and jasmolin II.
Research into pyrethrin chemistry and mode of action contributed to the development of pyrethroids—a group of synthetic compounds structurally related to pyrethrins but not identical to the natural substances.
This distinction is important. Plant origin does not automatically establish that a product is safe under all conditions. Likewise, synthetic active ingredients should not be treated as a single uniform group in terms of efficacy, environmental persistence or toxicity.
Today, the value of pyrethrum depends on more than the ability to grow the plant. A reliable raw-material supply chain requires control over planting material, cultivation conditions, harvest timing, drying methods, storage and active-compound quality.
If pyrethrum cultivation areas are to be developed in Vietnam, local adaptability should be tested at each proposed site, and flower quality should be assessed using appropriate analytical methods. Pyrethrin content should not be inferred solely from flower colour, plant size or total biomass yield.
The history of pyrethrum demonstrates how a plant can become a valuable raw material when botanical knowledge is combined with chemical science and quality management. For new cultivation-area projects, the most important foundation remains verifiable trial data.
References: Casida, “Pyrethrum Flowers and Pyrethroid Insecticides,” Environmental Health Perspectives (1980); research on pyrethrin biosynthesis published in Plant Physiology (2018).
SEO Title: The History of Pyrethrum and the Natural Active Compounds Known as Pyrethrins
Further reading
Thảo Dược Xanh (Blue Herbs) is trialling pyrethrum in the highlands of northern Vietnam (Moc Chau, Dien Bien, Ha Giang). We take pre-orders for seeds, seedlings, dried flowers and extract for research and raw-material buyers. See our products or request a quotation.