Monkshood (Aconitum ferox), is known to be the strongest poisonous plant of the Himalayas, having said that, Monkshood, is part of some Ayurvedic medicines and preparations as Mahamrutynjaya rasa, contain Aconitum ferox, Piper nibrum and Piper longum, containing aconitine and piperine [3].
Most of the Ayurvedic formulations containing Vatsanabha (Aconitum ferox), were traditionally prescribed as analgesic, anti-rheumatic, appetizer and digestive [2]. The active constituent giving Monkshood this poisonous properties is Pseudaconitine, an alkaloid discovered in 1878 by Wright and Luff [8] also known as nepaline (C36H51NO12) that is found in high quantities in the roots of Aconitum ferox also known as wolfsbane and it is "extremely poisonous" [8]. Image: Monkshood and Monkey flower by Zabet O'Casey under Creative Commons License (CC BY 2.0).
Most of the Ayurvedic formulations containing Vatsanabha (Aconitum ferox), were traditionally prescribed as analgesic, anti-rheumatic, appetizer and digestive [2]. The active constituent giving Monkshood this poisonous properties is Pseudaconitine, an alkaloid discovered in 1878 by Wright and Luff [8] also known as nepaline (C36H51NO12) that is found in high quantities in the roots of Aconitum ferox also known as wolfsbane and it is "extremely poisonous" [8]. Image: Monkshood and Monkey flower by Zabet O'Casey under Creative Commons License (CC BY 2.0).
PLANT DESCRIPTION
A biennial herb grows up to 90 cm in height. Leaves scattered with slender petiole, palmately compound, with fleshy leaf blades. Flowers blue, in long recemes. Fruits oblong, seeds obovoid to pyramidal shaped, Root tubers are dark brown and is extremely poisonous.
MEDICINAL PROPERTIES
Plant pacifies vitiated vata, pitta, fever, cough, asthma, bronchitis, hypotension, colic, flatulence, dyspepsia, amenorrhea, skin diseases, low back pain, arthritis, hepatitis and cardiac debility. The root powder in large dose is narcotic to lethal.
Useful part : Root tuber.
Properties and Uses: It initially has stimulating effect on both sensory and motor nerves but in later stages depresses their activities. Due to this action it induces salivation when used in medicinal doses hence restores taste in mouth and has digestive and carminative properties. It has some stimulating effect on respiratory center in medicinal doses therefore used in respiratory disorders. It induces sweating and has diuretic properties therefore is popularly used medicine for fevers especially fevers associated with inflammatory conditions. In medicinal doses it has nourishing effect on heart. Its external application is beneficial in painful and inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, sciatica.
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