Aconite
Aconitum napellus
A perennial shrub that
grows two to six feet high,
aconites erect stem extends
from thick, tuberous roots. Its
dark green leaves are shiny on
top and lighter underneath.
Helmet-shaped flowers, which
bloom in summer or fall, are
usually purplish blue.
Other names- Auld Wife's Huid
- Blue Rocket
- Cuckoo's Cap
- Friar's Cap
- Jacob's Chariot
- Monkshood
- Soldier's Cap
Parts used
Root, rhizome, stem, leaf, flower.
Uses
The name Aconitum may be
derived from akone, meaning
"cliffy" or "rocky", because aconite
tends to grow in such areas.
According to Greek mythology, aconite became poisonous
from the foam that dropped
from the mouth of Cerberus,
the gatekeeper of hell, when
Hercules dragged him up from
the nether regions. Medea,
priestess of the goddess
Hecate, attempted to poison
her stepson Theseus using aconite so that her birth son could inherit her
husband's throne. Aconite is believed to be among the ingredients of "flying
ointments", potions
used by witches to create the
sensation of flight.
Aconite was formerly used to
treat pain, arthritis, inflammation,
fever, skin diseases, and
neuralgias. Aconite works very
quickly, becoming active just a
few minutes after being taken
orally. Alkaloids found in the
plant have analgesic or anti-inflammatory properties. Aconite is widely and
safely used as a homeopathic remedy for physical or psychological
stress.
Aconite root, however, is extremely poisonous. As little as a teaspoonful of it
or its preparations can cause paralysis of the cardiac muscle or respiratory
center. For this reason, despite its having been used throughout history,
aconite is not
currently recommended by
Germany's Commission E, a
group of German experts on
herbal remedies who evaluate
plant medicines for efficacy and safety.
HOMEOPATHY
Homeopathic physicians prescribe Aconite
for those patients whose symptoms resemble the effects of the poison-who
seem distressed or fearful and complain of thirst and unbearable
aches and pains that accompany their illnesses.
For homeopathic use, the whole plant-except the root, which is the
most poisonous part-is gathered while in full bloom and pounded to a
pulp. Juice is pressed from the pulp and mixed with alcohol, then diluted
to non toxic levels.
Aconite is used to treat complaints
that come on suddenly and acutely
often due to shock or a scare,
exposure to dry, cold winds, and
occasionally, intensely hot weather.
This remedy is usually needed at the
onset of symptoms of an infection,
such as colds and
coughs, and
ear, eye, and
throat complaints. It is also
used for eye inflammation due to
injury. Symptoms of inflammation
and infection include restless,
agitated sleep. The face is red, hot,
flushed, and swollen, with severe
burning pain, but it becomes very pale when the person gets up.
This remedy is also given for
fear with associated restlessness,
for example, in panic attacks with
palpitations, numbness, and tingling
in the body. The person looks
anxious with dilated
pupils; this fear often
relates back to an alarming
event. It is good for women
who fear death during labor.
Habitat & cultivation
Aconite species can be found in Europe, North America, Asia, and Africa.
Constituents
Aconite contains 0.3 - 2% terpenoid alkaloids, princypally aconitine.
How much to take
1 to 2 minims for a child 5 to 10 years old; 2 to 5 minims for adults, three times a day.
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