Medicinal Properties of aconitine

Medicinal Properties of aconitine

Herbaceous, up to 1.5 m. Only grows in high mountain pastures. In cool, shaded, often rocky, and banks of streams or springs, also in mountain meadows. In Spain in the Pyrenees, Cantabrian Mountains and Sierra Nevada.


Greek mythology tells that it was brought from the underworld by Cerberus. Theophrastus commented that the tyrants had made much use of aconite "to dispatch as many as they pleased." Common use was bathing the tips of the arrows to make them more deadly.

The principle underlying asset, the aconitine, gives as an analgesic properties, the influence by changes in nerve endings. It is antipyretic, antitussive and decongestant (vasoconstrictor).

Poison powerful and fast action, so that practically not used internally, except in homeopathic doses. His oral prescription is exclusively reserved for faculty, drawn preparations assessment of its alkaloid content. Was used topically for the treatment of neuralgia, especially trigeminal and sciatic.


Contraindicated in pregnancy, lactation, children, combined with alcohol, sedatives, antihistamines, hypnotics, antidepressants, or spasmolytic.


Application is not recommended for internal road: very toxic plant for its alkaloids, in particular by aconitine. The lethal dose is 1-3 mg of aconitine (equivalent to 2-4 g of fresh root). Poisoning initially determines a state of general excitement, with numbness in the lips, tongue and throat block the trigeminal nerve. Later gastrointestinal disturbances occur: diarrhea, vomiting and drooling. In a second phase occurs hypothermia and paralysis of respiratory muscles and blocking of cardiorespiratory nerve centers, which can lead to death by suffocation within hours.

A. kusnezoffii is used in Chinese medicine to treat rheumatic pain, sciatica, hemiplegia, and as an anesthetic.