Aconite small (Aconite nanum); aconite low
Beware POISON!
A perennial herbaceous plant of the family of sedum. The roots are thickened like a turnip. The stem is erect, hairy in the upper part, 30-40 cm high. The leaves are ovate-rounded, 5-7-lobed, the lobes of the segments are narrow-lanceolate or linear, their lobes are narrow-linear. The flowers are zygomorphic, purple or blue, in a simple or slightly branched inflorescence – a short apical few-flowered tassel. The fruit is collective, from naked leaves. Blooms in July – August.
Spread. Occurs in the Carpathians on mountain meadows and rocky slopes.
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 roots 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. Small 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, small Aconite is used as a pain reliever for rheumatism, neuralgia, migraine, toothache and other diseases. In folk medicine, small Aconite 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. Small Aconite 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 small (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
Deadly poisonous plant!