Homoeopathic Clinical: Tincture and infusion of fresh root gathered in autumn— Brain affections, Chorea, Convulsions, Debility and sleeplessness, Delirium tremens, Ecstasy, Epilepsy, Mental despondency, Nervous debility, Neuralgia, Post-influenza debility, Sleeplessness, Spermatorrhoea, Stye.
LARKSPUR
Delphinium consolida, L.( N. O.: Ranunculaceae)
Common Names: Lark’ s Claw, Lark’ s Heel, Knight’ s Spur. Features: An annual herb native to Europe, but has become naturalized in the northern states of the U. S. A. The American species are known either as Tall larkspurs, which are 3 – 7 ft. in height and grow in moist places of higher altitudes and bloom in summer; or Low larkspur, which are found in open or exposed places to an elevation of 3,000 ft. Only four species of the seventy-nine native to North America occur east of the Mississippi, the majority being western in distribution, often in small areas.
The leaves are palmate and variously cut or divided. The flowers are mostly blue, but some are scarlet, red, bluish, white, or even yellow, in cultivated forms. The corolla consists of two sets of two petals each, the lower bearing a slender claw extending into the large calyx spur. The root is simple and slender; capsule-fruit or seed. Odour faint; taste bitter, then biting, acrid.
LARKSPUR Delphinium consolida, L.( Medicina, Moscow, 1965)
Medicinal Parts: The root and seeds. Solvent: Dilute alcohol. Bodily Influence: Emetic, Cathartic, Narcotic, Parasiticide. Uses: The Hopi tribes used the pollen of S. Scaposum, by grinding the flowers with corn to make blue meal( blue pollen). Seldom used internally and only when prescribed by physicians of experience.
The flowers and leaves were extensively used in the United States army during the rebellion to kill lice and it is pretty well authenticated that the same substance forms the basis of many preparations offered for the destruction of all noxious insects whose room is better than their company. Dr. Brown( 1875):“ A tincture of the seeds, it is said, will cure Asthma and Dropsy, also a specific for cholera morbus.” Dose: 1 oz. of the seeds added to 1 quart of diluted alcohol makes the tincture, of which 10 drops may be given three times a day. This, however, should be used only in extreme cases, and with the approval of persons of knowledge on the subject.