The Common Columbine is native to Europe and a rather unpretentious perennial with beautiful purple flowers, which are particularly attractive for bees because of their high nectar content. It grows very well at various locations but has nowadays become quite rare in the wild and, therefore, a protected species in many countries. Historically, the plant has been used as a remedy for scurvy but it plays only a minor role in current herbal medicine since parts of the plant contain slightly poisonous alkaloids. Regardless of its medicinal effect, however, it is very suitable as a tea plant, since its sweet flowers taste outstanding in herbal teas. In European mythology, the columbine has alleged the ability to enhance love charms, and it was used in magic amulets. Its seeds were added to aphrodisiac perfumes and supposedly even chewed by courtesans at royal courts all over Europe. In ancient Rome, the vestal priestesses were not allowed to even approach the plant.
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