botanical name(s): Aconitum napellus
synonyms: monk's hood, aconite, friar's cap, wolfbane
part(s) used: leaves, root
qualities: pungent, sweet, very hot
affinities:
actions: sedative, anti-inflammatory, synergist
dosage:
» tincture: 0.5 - 8 drops, up to three times daily
» root: 0.06 g
therapy: irritation of mucous membranes, facial neuralgia, fever and inflammation (especially with sudden onset), acute disease with restlessness
AHPA Botanical Safety Rating: 3
toxicity: 4; see full text below or alkaloid toxidrome
» potential skin irritant; picking the fresh plant can cause skin prickling (Levy and Primack, p. 120). Toxic amounts of alkaloids have been absorbed through the skin. (Duke, pp. 12-13)
» Internal use may result in immediate oral burning, tingling, numbness, and throat constriction; followed by salivation, gastritis, nausea and vomiting. Characteristic tingling may spread over the entire body surface. Dysarthria, ataxia, vertigo, blurred vision, paresthesias and general weakness can follow. Myotoxic effects include stimulation followed by depression of cardiac, smooth and skeletal muscle. Alkaloidal effects on CNS and peripheral nerves produce a curare-like paralysis with labored respirations spreading from upper extremities to lower. Death from cardiac arrhythmia and respiratory failure occurs within 1-8 hours. (A.M.A., p. 20; Dreisbach, p. 434; Levy and Primack, p. 120; Theines and Haley, p. 24)
»The odor has a narcotic effect and can lead to eye irritation and swelling (Tedeschi, Eckert, and Tedeschi, p. 1525).
» treatment for overdose: body warming (internally and externally), administration of atropine 0.05 mg/kg body weight, 2 - 3 mg total dose, and a potassium permanganate (1:1000) gastric lavage (Levy and Primack, p. 120; Theines and Haley, p. 24; Cooper, et al; Turnball)
constituents: alkaloids, chiefly aconitine
laboratory changes: hypocalcemia due to reduction in free Ca++ ions
drug interactions:
footnotes
Cooper, J.R., Bloom, F.E., Roth, R.H. 1986. The Biochemical Basis of Pharmacology, 5th ed. New York: Oxford University Press.
Dreisbach, R.H. 1980. Handbook of Poisoning: Prevention, Diagnosis, and Treatment, 10 ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Lange Medical Publications.
Duke, J.A. 1985. C.R.C. Handbook of Medicinal Herbs. Boca Raton, FL: The C.R.C. Press.
Levy, C.K.; and Primack, R.B. 1984. A Field Guide to Poisonous Plants and Mushrooms of North America. The Stephen Green Press.
Tedeschi, G.E., et al. 1977. Forensic Medicine: A Study in Trauma and Environmental Hazards. Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders Company.
Thienes, C.H., Haley, T.J. 1975. Clinical Toxicology. 5th ed. Philadelphia: Lea and Febiger.
Turnball, A. 1838. On the Medical Properties of the Natural Order Ranunculaceae. Philadelphia: Haswell, Barrington and Haswell.