Aconite
February 23rd, 2007 by admin
Aconite
Aconitum napellus
Aconite
Monkshood
Cuckoo’s Cap
Friar’s Cap
Soldier’s Cap
Blue Rocket
Jacob’s Chariot
Auld Wife’s Huid
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.
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.
Other medical uses – Tension headache.
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 AND 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.
Posted in A Herbs, B Herbs, F Herbs, J Herbs, M HErbs, S Herbs | No Comments »
