Russian Experience: Szivokost, or Alive Bone, is Russia’ s Larkspur. They use the herb and flower, but with caution, as Delphinium is very poisonous. However, it has its useful place in Herbal practice if the“ how and when” are observed. Folk Medicine: As a poultice and wash, but very carefully given. For enlarged liver, stomach and intestinal trouble, urinary system, and venereal diseases. Decoction of Delphinium for inflammation of the lungs, pleurisy, headaches, tapeworm, female sickness, chronic coughs, toothaches, and when frightened. Dose: 20 grams to 4 cups of boiling water; do not drink more than 3 cups a day, a mouthful at a time. Decoction of the flower as a poultice when eyes are inflamed with pus. The same decoction as a tea for cramps, convulsions, amenorrhoea( Bello-Russ. Academy of Science, 1965). Clinically: As tablets, ampoules and powder in compounds when muscle tension, or excitement, after operations when the brain and central nerve system has expended involuntary vital energy, Parkinson’ s disease, spreading sclerosis, paralysis. Also used in surgery combined with narcotics( Atlas, 1962). Industrial: A dye of especially beautiful blue colour for silks and woollens is made for the textile industry; also blue writing ink( Moscow University, 1963).
LEVERWOOD Ostria virginiana( Mill) K. Koch( N. O.: Betulaceae)
Common Names: Ironwood, Hop Horn Beam, Deerwood. Features: Probably the best-known species in America is Ostria virginiana, Leverwood, a popular name for many trees whose timber is very hard and heavy. Indigenous from Nova Scotia to Florida and westward to Minnesota and Texas. This medium-sized tree( 25 – 30 ft.) has fine, narrowly furrowed, brownish bark, protecting the white, hard and strong underneath structure. A Birch-like foliage appears with the pistillate flowers in April and May, resembling the female flowers of hop, hence its popular name, hophornbeam. The bark should be gathered in August and September. Medicinal Part: The inner wood and bark. Solvent: Boiling water. Bodily Influence: Antiperiodic, Tonic, Alterative. Uses: It is very good for intermittent fever, neuralgia, nervous debility, scrofula and dyspepsia. Sometimes administered with fair success as a remedy for fever and ague. Dose: 1 teaspoonful of the inner wood cut small or granulated to 1 cup of boiling water; drink cold 1 cupful during the day a large mouthful at a time. Of the tincture, 5 – 20 drops. Homoeopathic Clinical: Tincture of hardwood— Headache( dull), Head( numb), Intermittent fever, Liver( affections of), Lumbago, Malarial anaemia.
LICORICE Glycyrrhiza glabra, L.( N. O.: Leguminosae)
Common Name: Sweetwood. Features: A perennial species introduced into various countries from southern Europe and western Asia. It grows 3 – 5 ft. tall, bears imparipinnate dark green leaves in pairs of 4 – 7, ovate and smooth. The yellowish-white, pale blue or purplish spike-shaped flowers are followed by one to six seeded 1