Herb latin name: Western Columbine,Western Columbine Extract

Latin name: Aquilegia formosa

Family: Ranunculaceae (Buttercup Family)

Medicinal use of Western Columbine: Western columbine was quite frequently employed by anumber of native North American Indian tribes who used it to treat avariety of complaints. It is little used in modern herbalism. Antispasmodic, diaphoretic, parasiticide, resolvent, salve. Adecoction of the root is used in the treatment of diarrhoea and stomach aches. Adecoction of the roots and leaves is used in the treatment of VD, dizziness and biliousness. The mashed fresh roots can be rubbed briskly on aching rheumatic joints. Apoultice of chewed roots or leaves is applied to bee stings, sores etc. Adecoction of the leaves is used in the treatment of sore throats, coughs and colds. The seeds can be chewed as aremedy for stomach aches.

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Habitat of the herb: the herb: Widely distributed in many habitats from the coast to the coastal mountains. Moist woods and damp places in scrub and on banks from sea-level to 3000 metres.

Edible parts of Western Columbine: Flowers - raw. Rich in nectar, they are sweet and delightful, they make a very attractive addition to mixed salads and can also be used as a thirst-quenching munch in the garden. Children enjoy sucking out the sweet nectar from the base of the flowers. Early spring greens cooked and eaten as a vegetable. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity. Root - cooked. Used by the N. American Indians as a famine food. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity.

Other uses of the herb: The seed is used to rid the hair of lice. The whole plant is boiled up and used as a hair wash. The seeds are aromatic. They can be crushed and rubbed on the body as a perfume or placed in a sachet and stored with clothes to impart a nice smell.

Propagation of Western Columbine: Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame. The seed can be slow to germinate. Stored seed can be sown in late winter in a cold frame. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a cold frame for their first winter. Plant out in late spring or early summer. Division in spring.

Cultivation of the herb: Widely distributed in many habitats from the coast to the coastal mountains. Moist woods and damp places in scrub and on banks from sea-level to 3000 metres.

Known hazards of Aquilegia formosa: Although no records of toxicity have been seen for this species, it belongs to a family that contains a number of mildly toxic species. It is therefore wise to exercise some caution. The flowers are probably perfectly safe to eat.

Herb latin name: Western Columbine,Western Columbine Extract

Latin name: Aquilegia formosa

Family: Ranunculaceae (Buttercup Family)

Medicinal use of Western Columbine: Western columbine was quite frequently employed by anumber of native North American Indian tribes who used it to treat avariety of complaints. It is little used in modern herbalism. Antispasmodic, diaphoretic, parasiticide, resolvent, salve. Adecoction of the root is used in the treatment of diarrhoea and stomach aches. Adecoction of the roots and leaves is used in the treatment of VD, dizziness and biliousness. The mashed fresh roots can be rubbed briskly on aching rheumatic joints. Apoultice of chewed roots or leaves is applied to bee stings, sores etc. Adecoction of the leaves is used in the treatment of sore throats, coughs and colds. The seeds can be chewed as aremedy for stomach aches.

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Habitat of the herb: the herb: Widely distributed in many habitats from the coast to the coastal mountains. Moist woods and damp places in scrub and on banks from sea-level to 3000 metres.

Edible parts of Western Columbine: Flowers - raw. Rich in nectar, they are sweet and delightful, they make a very attractive addition to mixed salads and can also be used as a thirst-quenching munch in the garden. Children enjoy sucking out the sweet nectar from the base of the flowers. Early spring greens cooked and eaten as a vegetable. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity. Root - cooked. Used by the N. American Indians as a famine food. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity.

Other uses of the herb: The seed is used to rid the hair of lice. The whole plant is boiled up and used as a hair wash. The seeds are aromatic. They can be crushed and rubbed on the body as a perfume or placed in a sachet and stored with clothes to impart a nice smell.

Propagation of Western Columbine: Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame. The seed can be slow to germinate. Stored seed can be sown in late winter in a cold frame. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a cold frame for their first winter. Plant out in late spring or early summer. Division in spring.

Cultivation of the herb: Widely distributed in many habitats from the coast to the coastal mountains. Moist woods and damp places in scrub and on banks from sea-level to 3000 metres.

Known hazards of Aquilegia formosa: Although no records of toxicity have been seen for this species, it belongs to a family that contains a number of mildly toxic species. It is therefore wise to exercise some caution. The flowers are probably perfectly safe to eat.