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Uses of Aconitum

Aconitum is a flowering plant that is also known as aconite, wolfsbane, monkshood, and Devil's helmet. There are more than 250 different species of aconitum and they are characterized by large, dark-purple flowers. The aconite plant is a perennial herb that is typically between 2 and 4 feet tall.

  1. Location

    • Aconitum is found predominantly in forests along mountain ranges in different parts of Europe. It is abundant along the Pyrenees and in Austria, Germany, Denmark, and the Scandinavian peninsula. According to henriettesherbal.com, aconitum is also found in the Alps, the Himalayas, and in many parts of Siberia.

    Function

    • When applied, aconitum causes numbness and impairment of sensory nerves. It is a poison that is results in depression of nervous energy. In great amounts, it can cause vomiting, gastric irritation, impaired vision, coldness of legs and feet, and delirium, according to henriettesherbal.com. Therapeutically, it is primarily used as a sedative for capillary circulation to moderate the force and frequency of the heart's actions.

    Nerve Pain

    • In low doses, aconitum can be used to treat nerve pain or neuralgia. It is also useful in treating rheumatism and sciatica. Sciatica or sciatic neuritis is pain, numbness, or weakness in the leg caused by compression of the sciatic nerve. Aconitum is also an ingredient in traditional homeopathic medicines for colds and flu, according to healthline.com.

    Sedative

    • Aconitum is used as a sedative in all affections in which there is an increase of muscular, vascular, and nervous activity. These include a variety of inflammatory diseases such as gastritis (inflammation of stomach lining), scarlatina (a form of scarlet fever), and peritonitis (inflammation of abdominal lining), according to henriettesherbal.com. Other uses include treatments of insomnia and mental perturbation originating from nervous tension.

    Mucus

    • Aconitum is also used to treat irritation of mucous membranes. These afflictions include acute catarrh (mucuous membrane swelling) and acute pharyngitis (inflammation of the pharynx). Historically, it was one of the first treatments for tonsillitis (inflammation of tonsils), spasmodic and mucous croup (strong cough). In particular, aconitum was used to alleviate the spasms associated with the croup and to lessen the duration of tonsillitis.

    Historical Uses

    • Because of its extreme toxicity, aconitum has been historically used as a poison. This includes arrow poison as well as poison for executions, suicide, and homicide. Aconitum also has been used by witches to simulate the sensation of flying, according to healthline.com.

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