Aconite hairy (Aconite paniculatum); aconite paniculata
Beware POISON!
A perennial herbaceous plant of the family of sedum. The roots are thickened. The stem is glandular-pubescent above, 50-170 cm tall. The leaves are alternate, the petiole is 5-7-parted. The flowers are zygomorphic, blue or dark blue, collected in a simple or branched panicle. The fruit is collective, from leaves. Blooms in July – August.
Spread. Occurs in the Carpathians and Prykarpattia in forests and on forest edges.
Procurement and storage. Root tubers (Tuber Asoniti) collected in autumn are used. From 4 kg of raw root tubers, 1 kg of dry ones are obtained. In folk medicine, in addition to this, grass (Herba Aconiti) harvested before the plant blooms is used. Raw materials are dried in the shade: in attics or under tents. Store in well-ventilated areas.
The plant is unofficial .
Chemical composition. Aconite tubers contain alkaloids (1.2-3.4%), organic acids, coumarins (0.3%), starch. Alkaloids include aconitine (0.6%), aconifine, acetylzongorin, acetylzonhoramine, acetylnapeline, zongorin, zongoramine, isoboldine, caracolin, caracolidine, neoline, norzongorin, napelin, phenyl-B-naphthylamine. Alkaloids, flavonoids, ascorbic acid, etc. have been found in aerial organs.
Pharmacological properties and use. Aconite has a pronounced pain-relieving effect. Antimicrobial and antitumor properties of the plant have also been revealed. Externally in the form of an ointment or internally in the form of a tincture, Aconite is used as a pain reliever for rheumatism, neuralgia, migraine, toothache and other diseases. In folk medicine, Aconite panicle is also used for pulmonary tuberculosis, colds and sciatica. It is also known to be used for malignant neoplasms (internally and externally).
Medicinal forms and applications. Aconite panicle is applied in the form of a tincture under the supervision of a doctor and under his personal responsibility. According to Bulgarian scientists, the therapeutic dose of aconitine, as the most toxic alkaloid, is 0.02-0.03 mg 2-3 times a day. When collecting, storing and using Aconite panicle (as well as other aconites), you should remember that this is a deadly poisonous plant! At the first signs of poisoning (feeling of numbness of the tongue, face and whole body, burning in the chest and abdomen, nausea, vomiting), it is necessary to immediately call an ambulance and provide first aid to the victim