Medicinal Herbs: Aconite

Medicinal herbs: Aconite
Family Name: N.O. Ranunculaciae
Botanical Name(s): Aconitum napellus (LINN.)
Popular Name(s): Monkshood, Blue Rocket, Friar's Cap, Auld Wife's Huid

Parts Used: The complete herb
Habitat: Aconite is native to western and central Europe.
Description: Aconite is an herbaceous perennial plant with fleshy root which grows to a height of 1 m. Its leaves are round, 5-10 cm in diameter and are palmately divided into five to seven lobed
segments. The flowers are purple to bluish-purple in colour and are 1-2 cm in length. Aconite is extremely poisonous.

Uses: Aconite has anodyne, diuretic and diaphoretic properties. Its tincture and liniment are used in general purposes. Its preparations are used for outward application to the skin in neuralgia, lumbago and rheumatism. It is extremely poisonous.
Medicinal herbs..