Aconitum napellus Aconite (Ranunculaceae)

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Aconitum napellus
Aconite
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The Aconitum napellus plant species is found in Britain. It is a member of the Ranunculaceae family. Common gardeners may know the plant as Aconite.

Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

Latin Name:  Aconitum napellus
Common Name:  Aconite
Family:  Ranunculaceae
Author:  L.

Known Hazards:  The whole plant is highly toxic, acting especially on the nerve centres. At first it stimulatesthe central and peripheral nervous system and then paralyzes it. Other symptoms of poisoning include a burning sensation on the tongue, vomitting, tomach pain and diarrhoea. Simple skin contact with the plant has caused numbness in some people[4, 7, 9, 10, 14, 19, 65, 76, 244]. The root contains 90% more poison than the leaves[232].

Mature Height:  1.5   Mature Width:  0.3

Habitat:  Damp shady places and moist rich meadows in southern Wales and southwestern England[7, 13, 31, 165, 176]. It is usually found in calcareous soils[9].

Medicinal Information: Aconite has been used since ancient times, especially as an antidote to poisoning[244]. Since the entire plant is itself very toxic, however, any use should be under the guidance of a skilled practitioner[4]. All parts of the plant are used medicinally. The root is the most important and this is harvested as soon as the plant dies down in the autumn and is dried before use[4]. The other parts of the plant are less important and are used fresh, being harvested when the plant is coming into flower[4]. The root is analgesic, anodyne, antirheumatic, diaphoretic, diuretic, irritant and sedative[4, 7, 9, 165, 200]. Due to its poisonous nature, it is not normally used internally though it has been used in the treatment of fevers[200]. Externally, it is applied to unbroken skin in the treatment of rheumatism, painful bruises, neuralgia etc[200, 254]. All parts of the plant, except the root, are harvested when the plant is in flower and used to make a homeopathic medicine[232]. This is analgesic and sedative and is used especially in the treatment of fevers, inflammation, bronchitis, neuralgia etc[9, 232].

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Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

The information above has been supplied solely via the hard work and dedication of the team at 'Plants for a Future'.
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