Aconite

Aconite Aconitum napellus. Common name: Monkshood, blue rocket, friar's cap, wolfsbane.

Occurrence:

indigenous to mountain slopes in the Alps and Pyrenees. Introduced into England very early, before 900 AD.

Parts used:

the leaves used fresh and the root when dried. It contains alkaloidal material-aconitine, benzaconine and aconine amongst other compounds.

Medicinal uses:

the plant is poisonous and should not be used except under medical advice. It is an anodyne, diaphoretic, febrifuge and sedative. Used for reducing fever and inflammation in the treatment of catarrh, tonsillitis and croup. It may be used in controlling heart spasm.

Administered as:

tincture, liniment and occasionally as hypodermic injection.