Aconite

(Aconitum napellus L., Ranunculaceae)

Also Called: Monkshood, Wolfsbane.

Description: Perennial plant with conical, tuberous taproot like stock which is renewed annually lateral to the decaying parent tuber; thus in summer both parent and daughter tubers are found together.
Stems stout up to 150cm (5ft) high.
Leaves are deeply incised almost to the base into 5-7 lobes; the lobes differ greatly in size and in shape from linear to broadly elliptical.
Flowers dark-blue, the posterior petal-like sepal as a helmet-shaped hood; arranged in a moderately dense inflorescence at the apex of the stem.
Flowering: June-September.

Parts Used: Dried root-tubers; the entire plant either fresh or dried.

Habitat and Collection: In moist rich pastures and mountainous districts of Europe.
The species Aconitum napellus L. is an aggregate of slightly differing units according to their habitats, which may be treated as separate species.
In Britain it is apparently wild in south-west England and Wales; it is also cultivated.
Tubers are dug in autumn; the plant should be collected when in flower.
Drying may be either in the shade or in sunlight.

Constituents and Action: One of the most poisonous plants in our flora.
It contains alkaloids (aconitine, etc).
In medicinal doses it acts on the central nervous system.
It has a sedative action in certain neuralgias and in sciatica'
I t is a febrifuge and is effective in illnesses of the respiratory tract resulting from chills (colds, bronchitis).

Usage: Because of its toxicity, aconite should be used only under medical supervision but homeopathic preparations may be taken for sciatica, neuralgia and chills.