Aconite napellus

Common Name: Monkshood or Wolfsbane (“purple poison”)

Family: Ranunculaceae (Buttercup family)

Parts used: Root

Constituents: Diterpenoid alkaloids (aconitine)

Taste/smell: Bitter and acrid

Actions

• Anodyne

• Antineuralgic

• Antipyretic

• Diaphoretic

• Sensory and Motor Depressant

• Antiseptic

• Antirheumatic

• Sedative (in large doses)

Uses

Anodyne:

• Pain (i.e. pain in ovarian cysts, sciatic pain, etc.)

Antineuralgic:

• Neuralgia

• Trigeminal neuralgia

History

• Used since ancient times as a poison used on spears and arrows for hunting and battle

• Called “wolfsbane” as it was believed to repel werewolves and real wolves

• Used in Ancient romans as a method of execution

Contraindications

• Pregnancy and lactation

• Toxic in high doses

Adverse Effects

• Nausea and vomiting

• Headaches

• Miosis (pinpoint pupils)

• Hypotension

• Chest pain

• Chills

• Pale

• Collapse

• Paresthesia

• Dyspnea (shortness of breath)

• Ventricular fibrillation

Toxicity

• Highly toxic when used internally. Narrow therapeutic window. Overdose is potentially lethal.

Interactions

• None known