Staphysacre, Stavesacre

Staphisagria, Delphinium, Larkspur, Louse-seed; Consolida Regalis, Pedicularis
Muvizaj (Unani)
 Picture Picture
Picture Gart der Gesundheit, Cuba, 1485

Picture Picture
Stavesacre
Krauterbuch, Lonitzer, 1578

 Consolida Regalis
Krauterbuch, Lonitzer, 1578
Picture Hamilton, E., Flora homoeopathica, vol. 2 (1853)

Picture STAVESACRE SEED
1. Numerous fruit.  2,  3,  Fruit with several seeds. 
4. Seeds without the pericarp.  5. Single seed.  6. Stem
Squibb’s Atlas of the Official Drugs, Mansfield, 1919

Botanical name:


Delphinium staphisagria (Stavesacre), D. consolidata (Consolida Regalis, Larkspur). The two species are very similar in effect, D. staphisagria being stronger

Parts used:


Seed

Temperature & Taste:


Hot, dry. Pungent, Bitter. Toxic
“Hot and Dry in the third degree” (Avicenna)

Classifications:


2F. PURIFYING
3P. MASTICATORIES & STERNUTATORIES     3Q. ANTHELMINTIC

Uses:


STAVESACRE:
1. Kill Worms
-Worms and Parasites
-topically to kill Lice and Scabies

2. Clears Wind-Damp, Promotes Urine:
-Edema, Fluid retention, Damp diseases
-Rheumatism
-chronic Eczema (Bazin, Bouchardats Annuaire, 1851); obstinate Skin diseases including Ichthyosis, Leprosy
-relieves violent Shaking (Galen); Epilepsy (Lonicerus)

3. Stops Coughing and Wheezing:
-Asthma, Breathlessness, Wheezing

4. Strongly Promotes Menstruation (Lonicerus)
-promotes menstruation in Amenorrhea or Dysmenorrhea

5. Emetic:
-Emetic and Purgative in full doses

6. Externally:
-seeds powdered and mixed with lard (etc.) or made into an acid tincture kill Lice (Matthiolus)
-as a wash topically for inveterate Itch, Scabies
-powder or acid (vinegar) tincture, or decoction in vinegar is applied to Toothache
-applied topically to Neuralgia
-chronic or running sores (wash with the vinegar decoction)
-topically applied to chronic Alopecia. (Avicenna)


CONSOLIDA REGALIS:
-used as above, but not as strong
-also spasmodic Asthma and Edema


Dose:


1. When used as an emetic, it is recommended to take a good dose of Honey water after.
Seed of Stavesacre: 3–8 grains internally (Salmon said 14 or 15 seeds is a dose)
15 grains taken as a dose with Honey Water it “causes vomiting of viscous chyme” (Avicenna)
Tincture of Seed of C. regalis: 1 ounce in a pint of alcohol (40%): dose: begin with 10 drops, increase as needed.

Comment:


The alkaloids are similar in effect to the Aconite alkaloids. Delphiniums and Aconites were often grouped together.

Main Combinations:


1. Chronic Eczema, Stavesacre with Bittersweet (Bazin)
2. To improve Eyesight, Stavesacre with Fennel, Siler montane, Blue Germander, Celery seed, Aniseed, Parsley seed, Pennyroyal, Hyssop, Saxifrage
3. Toothache,
i. decoction in vinegar as a mouth wash. (Avicenna)
ii. Stavesacre with Frankincense topically (Galen)
4. To promote Saliva: Orris (2 parts), Mustard seed, Stavesacre seed (half part each). Tie in a cloth, hold in the mouth and chew for half an hour. (A Treatise on Foreign Drugs)
5. Acute Stomatitis: “when used with Honey, it cures Stomatitis” (Avicenna)
6. Topically to Kill Lice:

i. mix the powdered seeds with Vinegar and wash the head, or the seed powder mixed with oil and applied.
ii. and for Scabies, Stavesacre with Orpiment (Avicenna)

Cautions:


1. Toxic in overdose. Emetic, Cathartic and Narcotic in full doses.
2. Not used in Pregnancy or the very young.
3. “Its oral use is dangerous because it may cause Bladder Ulcers” (Avicenna)

Salmon said: ‘The Seeds are very truly dangerous to be taken inwardly, unless prepared, corrected, and given by a very skillful hand; and therefore my advice is, that such as are ignorant in Physick, should forbear their internal use, for that many times death ensues by the taking of them: but as to all their external uses, they are effectual and safe enough’. (Botanologia, 1710)

Main Preparations used:


Lotion, Powder, Ointment

1. Lotion of Stavesacre:
i. Stavesacre seed (½ oz.), Boiling Water (1 pound). Infuse half an hour, strain, add Alcohol (½ pound). Mix. Used as a wash for obstinate skin diseases. (Pharmacopoeia medici practici universalis, Bruxelles, 1817)

2. Powder Against Lice:
i. Stavesacre seed, Long Pepper (equal parts). Powder. For topical application.

3. Ointment Against Lice:
i. Stavesacre seed (1 part), Lard (3 parts). Infuse with heat for several hours, express. (Pharmacopoeia medici practici universalis, Bruxelles, 1817)
ii. Stavesacre seed (2 drams), White Hellebore root (1 ½ dram), Tobacco leaf (1 dram), Oil of Tobacco (sufficient), Wax (a little). Infuse, when strained add Oil of Lavender (8 grains). Mix. (Niemann)