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Botanical Name: Delphinium Consolida
Family: N.O. Ranunculacae
Synonyms: Lark’s Heel. Lark’s Toe. Lark’s Claw. Knight’s Spur.
Part Used: Seed.
Habitat: Europe.   The Field Larkspur grows wild in cornfields throughout Europe. Though a doubtful native, it is found occasionally in England in considerable quantities in sandy or chalky cornfields, especially in Cambridgeshire.S. Europe. A rare casual in Britain. Cornfields and waste places, usually on sandy or chalky soils, avoiding shade in Britain

Description: It is Annual/Biennial growing to 0.5m., with upright, round stems a foot high or more, pubescent and divided into alternate, dividing branches. The leaves are alternate, the lower ones with petioles 1/2 inch long, the upper ones sessile, or nearly so. The plant closely resembles some of the species commonly cultivated in gardens.
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It is hardy to zone 0. It is in flower from June to July, and the seeds ripen from August to September. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Bees, Lepidoptera (Moths & Butterflies). The plant is self-fertile. It is noted for attracting wildlife.
The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and requires well-drained soil. The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It requires dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.

The flowers are in short racemes, pink, purple or blue, followed by glabrous follicles containing black, flattened seeds with acute edges and pitted surfaces. The seeds are poisonous, have an acrid and bitter taste, but are inodorous.

The active principle of the plant- Delphinine – is the same as in Stavesacre and is an irritant poison. Children should be warned against putting any part of this plant, or of its garden representatives, into their mouths. The seeds are especially dangerous, and cause vomiting and purging if eaten.

Cultivation:
An easily grown plant, it prefers a sunny position in a well-drained soil. Plants succeeded when growing in a dry shady position in the hot dry summer. A very ornamental plant. A greedy plant, inhibiting the growth of nearby plants, especially legumes. Other reports say that it is a good companion for wheat. A good bee plant . Plants resent root disturbance and should not be transplanted.

Propagation:
Seed – best sown as soon as it is ripe in situ. It can also be autumn sown in areas with mild winters, otherwise sow in succession from spring to early summer. The seed usually germinates in 2 – 3 weeks

Medicinal Action and Uses:
Anthelmintic; Diuretic; Hypnotic; Hypotensive; Purgative; Vasodilator.

Larkspur was at one time used internally in the treatment of a range of diseases, but its only certain action is a violent purgative and nowadays it is only occasionally used in folk medicine . It is of value, however, when used externally, to kill skin parasites. The plant should be used with caution, see the notes above on toxicity. The seed is anthelmintic, mildly diuretic, hypnotic, purgative and vasodilator. It has been used internally in the treatment of spasmodic asthma and dropsy . The flowers or the whole plant are mildly diuretic and hypotensive. The expressed juice of the leaves has been considered an effective application to bleeding piles[4]. A conserve made from the flowers has been seen as a good remedy for children when subject to violent purging. The juice of the flowers has also been used as a treatment for colic.

As in Stavesacre, the part used medicinally is the seed, a tincture of which in like manner acts as a parasiticide and insecticide, being used to destroy lice and nits in the hair. (During the Great War, when the men in the trenches took the trouble to use it, the results were said to be quite successful. – EDITOR.)

The tincture, given in 10-drop doses, gradually increased, is also employed in spasmodic asthma and dropsy.

The expressed juice of the leaves is considered good as an application to bleeding piles, and a conserve made of the flowers was formerly held to be an excellent medicine for children when subject to violent purging.

The juice of the flowers and an infusion of the whole plant was also prescribed against colic.

The expressed juice of the petals with the addition of a little alum makes a good blue ink.

The name Delphinium, from Delphin (a dolphin), was given to this genus because the buds were held to resemble a dolphin. Shakespeare mentions the plant under the name of Lark’s Heel.

The name Consolida refers to the plant’s power of consolidating wounds.

During the Great War, men used the seeds of Larkspur to destroy nits and lice in the hair. The juice from the leaves was used as a remedy for hemorrhoids. Larkspur flowers and leaves in an infusion were given to colicky children. The flowers of this plant are bitter and acrid. The seeds of Larkspur are the part of the plant most often used for medicinal purposes due to their purgative, parasitic, insecticidal, and diuretic properties.

A tincture of Larkspur seed is used in treating spasmodic asthma and dropsy, but is mainly used as a topical for destroying nits and head lice. The juice of the leaves can be used topically on hemorrhoids, and internally for treating colic.

Larkspur Dosage Information
Larkspur comes in various forms and is an ingredient in few products; however, the whole plant is very poisonous and should not be used internally without the guidance of a qualified professional herbalist or physician.

Other Uses
Dye; Ink; Insecticide; Parasiticide.
A strong tincture of the fresh seed is used externally to kill lice and nits in the head and pubic hair. It is also effective against aphids and thrips. A good blue ink is obtained from the expressed juice of the petals together with a little alum . It is made from the leaves according to another report. It is also used as a dye[74] and is green when mixed with alum.

Disclaimer:The information presented herein is intended for educational purposes only. Individual results may vary, and before using any supplements, it is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider

Resources:

http://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/l/larksp09.html

http://www.herbalremedies.com/larkspur-information.html

http://www.pfaf.org/database/plants.php?Consolida+regalis

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