Delphinium All parts of the plant contain an alkaloid delphinine and are very poisonous, causing vomiting when eaten, and death in larger amounts. In small amounts, extracts of the plant have been used in herbal medicine. Gerard's Herbal reports that drinking the seed of larkspur was thought to help against the stings of scorpions, and that other poisonous animals could not move when covered by the herb, but does not believe it himself. Grieve's herbal reports that the seeds can be used against parasites, especially lice and their nits in the hair. A tincture is used against asthma and dropsy.The juice of the flowers, mixed with alum, gives a blue ink. The plant was connected to Saint Odile and in popular medicine used against eye diseases. It was one of the herbs used on the feast of St. John and as such warded against lightning. In Transylvania, it was used to keep witches from the stables, probably because of its black color.

So beautiful ... is a poison ! Thanks so beauties and informations helys · 2011-06-10: 04:43

Wonderful post and very useful poison!~~!~ mallusatish · 2011-06-10: 04:50

Very informative post, and great shots Sadhya! TFS Riyaz · 2011-06-10: 05:22

Interesting commentary. Pretty flowers Lynda · 2011-06-10: 05:23

Pretty :-) jet28 · 2011-06-10: 07:22

lovely yet so deadly :) littemissriri · 2011-06-10: 08:15

Always love your flower shot! Love No. 2 ...great info too! Patricia132 · 2011-06-10: 09:22

Especially pretty against the sky! DancingDolphin · 2011-06-10: 10:46

it looks so beautiful! finbarr · 2011-06-10: 17:21

Lovely EloiseMurray · 2011-06-10: 17:31

Wonderful capture of beauty and colors! davidcardona · 2011-06-10: 21:17

very nice! Shaparak · 2011-06-10: 22:43

I love delphiniums! they are so eligant and you have captured these lovely whites so nicely. thanks for sharing the history and uses. beth0110 · 2011-06-11: 00:33

Nice .... Thanks for the education that you do ...! felixfoto · 2011-06-11: 04:20

Magnificent flowers! hannamagnusson · 2011-06-11: 12:36

I almost think they look better right before they bloom. Love the last one. dontblink · 2011-06-12: 12:42

Beautiful flowers! wildduck · 2011-06-12: 14:49

Err.. marvelous! Fastlove · 2011-06-12: 19:19

Gorgeous! pandka · 2011-06-20: 03:24