It is also known as Persian pellitory and insect powder. In the 1800s, it was known as "Persian powder", "Persian pellitory", and "zacherlin". It is unrelated to the herb pellitory ("Anacyclus pyrethrum"). Pellitory (Anacyclus pyrethrum) was traditionally used to relieve toothache. It is in a different family from "Anacyclus pyrethrum", also called pellitory. The roots of "A. pyrethrum" are known as pellitory in Europe and "akrakara" in India.