More than 50 species of aconite grow in Russia (out of 300 known), among them is Djungarian aconite. People gave this perennial herbaceous plant many other names: prykrysh - grass, wolf root, wrestler - root, Issyk-Kul root, wolf-killer, tsar - grass, tsar - potion, black potion, black root, iron helmet, goat death, helmet, skull cap, horse, hood, blue buttercup, slipper, lumbago - grass, blue eye.

What does aconite look like?

The medicinal plant Djungarian aconite belongs to the Ranunculaceae family. The stem of the plant is densely leafy, straight, up to 1.8 meters in height. The leaves of aconite are round in outline, alternate, petiolate, dark green, repeatedly and deeply lobed - five-dissected.

The inflorescence at the top is a brush of irregular large flowers, which, depending on the species, have a variety of colors: purple, blue, yellow, lilac, white or cream. The sepals are corolla-shaped and five-leaved.

The fruit of the plant is a three-lobed dry leaflet. Aconite tubers are elongated - conical in shape, longitudinally wrinkled on the surface and with buds on the tops of the tubers. The thickness of the tubers is from 0.5 to 2 cm along the entire length, their length is from 3 to 8 cm. The color of the tuber inside is yellowish, outside is black and brown. Djungarian aconite blooms from mid-summer.

Djungarian aconite photo.

Where does aconite grow?

Since aconites are pollinated by bumblebees, the geographic distribution areas of the plant on earth coincide with the geographic distribution areas of bumblebees. Djungarian aconite grows along roadsides and in damp places along river banks, in mountain meadows and in humus-rich soils. It is often cultivated in gardens, and housewives sometimes do not even know what it is. beautiful plant decorates their front garden.

Preparation.

Dried leaves and tubers of wild plants are used as medicinal raw materials. Why wild, because there is unconfirmed information that cultivated aconite loses its toxicity after a few years. Since wild aconite contains poisonous compounds in its tubers and stems, the plant is harvested by wearing mittens or gloves. And this is done not out of a desire to play it safe, but because the poison, upon contact with the plant, enters the body through the skin. When working with the plant, do not touch your eyes, and then immediately wash your hands with soap.

The tuber roots of the plant are most poisonous, and most strongly in the fall, after the tops wither, when they are harvested (from August 15 to October 1). They are dug up, the ground is cleared, washed only with cold water, and quickly dried with good ventilation in a dryer at 60 ° C.

The plant's grass is especially poisonous during flowering and before flowering. It is at this time that the leaves are collected, then they are dried in the sun and then dried under a canopy. Properly dried raw materials remain dark green.

The raw materials of the medicinal plant Djungarian aconite should be stored separately from non-poisonous herbs in an airtight container labeled “Poison!” The shelf life of raw materials is up to 24 months.

Chemical composition.

The chemical composition of Djungarian aconite is still poorly understood, but it is known that all parts of the medicinal plant contain an alkaloid (akonitine). Mesoaconitin, aconitine, gstaakonitin, hypoacoitin, benzoilaconin, sasaakonitin, napellin, neopellin, traces of ephedrine, sparteine, saponins, flavones, starch, resins and coumarins were found in tuber roots.

Palmitic, myristic, oleic, stearic and linoleic acids were detected.

In addition to the alkaloid aconitine, the stems and leaves of Djungarian aconite contain tannins, inositol, flavonoids, ascorbic acid and more than 20 trace elements.

Pharmacological properties.

Djungarian aconite has antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antitumor, narcotic, antispasmodic and analgesic effects.
Aconite and preparations from the tubers of the plant are prescribed as an analgesic for severe pain (colds, rheumatic pain in joints and muscles, trigeminal neuralgia).

Application in medicine.

Traditional medicine does not use Dzhengar aconite due to its toxicity. Traditional medicine, on the contrary, has found its use for: dislocations and fractures of bones, arthritis, bruises (externally), gout, articular rheumatism, osteochondrosis, radiculitis, cancer of various localizations, sciatica (externally), melanoma, bone tumors, convulsions, epilepsy, insanity, mental illness, melancholy, nervous disorders, fear, depression, hysteria, severe tearfulness, neuralgia, overexcitation of the nervous system, neuritis of the auditory nerve, especially with trigeminal neuralgia (locally and internally), migraines, severe headaches, nervous headaches, dizziness, Parkinson's disease, paralysis, paralysis of the tongue and bladder, beri-beri disease, anemia, pneumonia, pulmonary tuberculosis, bronchial asthma, pleurisy, colds, bronchitis, tonsillitis, acute respiratory infections, to improve hearing and vision, senile decline, goiter, diabetes mellitus, persistent uterine bleeding, uterine fibroids, stomach pain, impotence, gastritis, stomach ulcers, hepatic and intestinal colic, constipation, flatulence, jaundice, as an anthelmintic, dropsy as a diuretic, cystitis, angina pectoris, hypertension, as an antidote for poisoning and bites poisonous snakes or insects, scarlet fever, infectious diseases, anthrax, diphtheria, venereal diseases, malaria, leprosy (topically and internally), psoriasis, ulcers (externally), erysipelas, lice (externally), scabies.

Djungarian aconite leaves are applied temporarily to old ulcers and abscesses. The medicinal plant can act as a diaphoretic. Aconite is useful for urinary retention, urinary stones, nosebleeds, asthma, jaundice, promotes hair growth.

If it is not possible to be treated by a doctor, the Djungarian aconite plant can be used for self-medication in severe cases:
- for prostate adenoma, uterine fibroids, goiter and other tumors;
- for parkinsonism, paralysis, epilepsy;
- for oncological diseases. However, it is correct when the patient is treated in an oncology clinic, and treatment with aconite complements the main treatment.

How to use aconite?

Tincture for cancer.

1 tsp. crushed roots of the Djungarian aconite plant (dry or fresh), pour 0.5 liters of vodka, keep in the dark for 2 weeks, shake every day. Filter the tincture through 2 layers of gauze.

Course of treatment.

Every day, half an hour before meals, 3 times a day, take 50 ml of water with 1 drop of tincture. Every next day, add 1 drop for each dose and reach 10 drops three times a day. Take this dosage for 10 days in a row and then reduce the dose, reducing each day by 1 drop at each dose, reaching a dose of 1 drop 3 times a day.

If treatment is carried out only with Djungarian aconite, then take a break for 30 days (in other cases - for 6 months). Then repeat the treatment regimen again. A total of 7 courses of treatment are needed. But treating children with aconite is contraindicated!

Tincture as an analgesic for migraines, neuralgia, toothache and rheumatism.

Pour 20 grams of root tubers into 0.5 liters of vodka, leave for a week, waiting until the tincture acquires the same color as brewed tea. For rheumatism, rub the tincture overnight, wrapping it in a flannel cloth. For migraines and neuralgia, use 1 tsp in the first days, gradually increasing the dose to 1 tbsp. l. The course of treatment is 3 - 4 weeks. For toothache, drop 1 drop of tincture and 1 tbsp into the hollow of the tooth. l. Rub into the cheek over the sore tooth.

Contraindications.

Djungarian aconite is a very poisonous medicinal plant. It must be handled with great care! Do not exceed dosages! Keep preparations containing aconite out of the reach of children! Label the containers with medicines based on aconite - “Poison (Aconite Djungarian plant).” Large plantings of this plant should be located as far as possible from the hives so that the bees do not collect poisonous honey for you.

Aconite, or otherwise a fighter, is a perennial plant. This flower did not get its name by chance. Translated from Greek, Aconae means “rock, cliff”, and Acontion means “arrows”. In appearance, the plant resembles an arrow shape - straight stems with alternating palm-shaped leaves. Fighter is a poisonous herb that is part of the same family together with buttercup.

Interesting: there is a legend that during the twelfth labor of Hercules, the three-headed guard of Hades, having climbed to the surface, began to emit poisonous saliva onto the ground, from which a poisonous plant began to sprout. It was named after the city near which these actions took place - Akoni.

Due to its properties, aconite is actively used in decoration. It can develop well in the shade, while not being picky about soil, and the plant is also frost-resistant. The most popular type of planting is group planting; it can be planted either along the edge or to create a combination in the garden or in parks.

In the title photo is Aconitum variegatum.

Species

It is known that there are about 330 species in the genus of this flower, which are most often found in the Northern Hemisphere. In Russia there are only 75 species.

Main types of aconite, and description of the herb:

The appearance of each member of the genus is influenced by several factors: the area where the flower grows; its heyday; the soil in which it grows; and the presence of sunlight.

Aconite, having a flower, the photo of which was provided, is pleasing to the eye. But do not forget about its toxicity.

Where does it grow in Russia

Aconite can most often be observed in the European part of Russia. Especially the most common types of wild fighter.

Dubravny wrestler. Prefers a strip where the soil is chernozem. It is found on steppe slopes, on the edges of deciduous forests, and among shrubs. Appearance: pale yellow flowers, pinnately dissected leaves.

Northern aconite. It can be found almost throughout European Russia, but is most common in the northern part. Grows among bushes and forests. Appearance: dirty purple flowers, extremely rarely white, the flower helmet has a conical-cylindrical shape.

Wrestler Flerova listed in the Red Book. You can meet it only in the Vladimir region in the Sherna River basin. It grows in the valleys of small rivers among gray alder forests. It can also be found in marshy floodplain meadows and low-lying swamps. Appearance: purple flower, domed helmet.

Wolfsbane aconite. It is found in all European regions of Russia, with the exception of the Urals. Grows in forests and woodlands. Appearance: Yellow or pale yellow flower, narrow helmet.

To create your own unique composition, you should take into account the flowering period of the flower. If you plant aconite in groups, then thanks to its shape, interesting color and beautifully cut leaves, a pleasant atmosphere is created, imbued with elegance.

Wrestler flowering periods:

1. Tall aconite - flowers bloom at the end of May.
2. Woolly-mouthed wrestler. Flowering period is May.
3. White-mouthed wrestler - blooms in June.
4. Oak aconite - blooms in July.
5. Garden fighter. Flowering period – July.
6. Fischer's aconite - flowers bloom in August.
7. In August, it blooms throughout the entire month - the hooded fighter, or blue.

To design flower beds in autumn period, Carmichel aconite is preferred. Its appearance is strikingly beautiful. Majestic inflorescences, which have a deep blue color, and carved bright greenery, create their own unique composition.

In the spring, it is good to use aconite and wolfsbane for decoration. These species are not tall, so they look great in flower beds.

Interesting: aconite goes well with other plants. For example, black cohosh and Japanese anemone are suitable for Kramichel aconite. Thanks to the friendly neighborhood of the fighter with representatives of other genera, it is possible to create much more complex and beautiful compositions.

Planting and care

In order to grow aconite in open ground, significant effort is not required. Anyone can do this, even a novice summer resident. But when landing, you should consider the following:

• Location. The wrestler loves shade, so preference should be given to shady places. For example, under trees, in a shaded area, or under tall and dense bushes.
• Soil. Aconite is not picky about the soil, but on rocky soil the plant will develop poorly. To improve the growth process, you need to plant the wrestler in well-breathable soil and pre-fertilize it top layer peat and organic, mineral fertilizers.

Caring for aconite is as follows:

• Regular watering. The plant does not tolerate drought.
• Weeding and destruction of weeds. Although the fighter fights weeds well, they pose a threat to young seedlings.
• Weeding and loosening the soil. This is done in order to saturate the soil with oxygen.

Application in landscape design

The active use of aconite in landscape design is due to the fact that the plant feels great in open ground. The flower is very beautiful and spectacular, so it is suitable for group planting and creating compositions, and for single planting. Goes well with yellow flowering plants, for example.

Wolfsbane and Solidago in the garden of Cawdor Castle, Scotland

The wrestler, thanks to its tall stature, can serve as a background for flowers that are lower than it. And also, given that the growth of a plant of this genus varies, you can create interesting gradients from aconite.

Climbing types of flowers are used to decorate the walls of gazebos or houses. Aconite, due to its growth, can easily disguise any detail that does not fit into the landscape design.

If you manage to take advantage of the rich and bright color of aconite flowers, then the photos of the plots will look breathtaking. And taking into account that the wrestler is a perennial flower, it will delight you with its beauty for a long time.

Use in folk medicine

Application in folk medicine aconite is quite extensive. It is used in the fight against mental illness, depression and nervous disorders. It also helps with dislocations and fractures of bones, arthritis, and rheumatism. Prevents paralytic relaxation of the tongue and bladder, as well as anemia, asthma, and pleurisy. Wrestler is used to improve vision and hearing. Helps in the fight against stomach ulcers, liver and intestinal colic. Used against lice and scabies, psoriasis. Used as a wound-healing, diuretic, anthelmintic agent.

Attention! Aconite is a poisonous plant; under no circumstances should you work with the wrestler without rubber gloves, because the poison can enter through the skin. The flower must be handled with extreme caution.

Conclusion

• Aconite is a perennial herbaceous plant.
• There are many species of fighter in the genus, which are considered both wild and garden. Among them there are those that are listed in the Red Book.
• In Russia you can find this plant mainly in the European part.
• Everyone can admire aconite in their own garden, as the flower is perfect for organizing a summer cottage.
• The wrestler is not picky about the ground. And if you follow all the stages of planting and caring for it, the plant will show off for many years.
• Due to the fact that aconite develops well in open ground, it is actively used to create landscape design.
• This plant can be used in the fight against many ailments and diseases.
• Despite its beauty, aconite can be dangerous, as it is very poisonous.

The most poisonous plant in the world

Aconite is the leader in “toxicity” among all plants on the planet. About his leadership qualities in a video from the channel Most in the World - PROsamoe.

Aconite is a plant from the genus of herbaceous poisonous perennial plants Ranunculaceae family. It has palm-shaped alternating leaves and straight stems.

The Latin name of this herb comes from Greek word Asopae - “cliff, rock.” The genus is close to plants of the genus Spur, or Larkspur.

Story

As mentioned above, aconite is a plant whose name comes from Akone, an ancient Greek city where these flowers could be seen in abundance.

According to one myth, the plant grew from the poisonous saliva of the hellish dog Cerberus, overwhelmed by horror, whom Hercules brought to earth from the underworld (the 11th labor of Hercules). The grass is also called “fighter”, which it owes to Scandinavian mythology: at the site of the death of the god Thor, who fought poisonous snake and who died from his bites, grew into a fighter.

Aconite - poisonous flower, its properties were known in ancient times: the Chinese and Greeks made poison for arrows from it, and they used it for poisoning in Nepal drinking water in case of enemy attack and bait for predators. The plant is extremely poisonous, even its smell. Plutarch said that the soldiers of Mark Antony, poisoned by aconite, lost their memory and also vomited bile. There is a legend that it was from this that the famous Khan Timur died - his skullcap was completely saturated with the juice of the plant. It is also called wolfsbane because it was used to bait wolves.

Another legend is associated with the poisonousness of the plant. According to him, when the Lord created flowers for the joy of people, which are therefore like invisible threads connecting earth with heaven, the devil tried to break this connection to spite man and God. Staring at the flowers, he tried to pour poison into them. But God noticed this and sent wind to the earth. Under its breath, the plants tilted their heads to the ground, Satan’s gaze did not touch them. Only a few did not want to obey the Lord out of pride, and Satan’s gaze struck them. These flowers became poisonous, and aconite was among them.

It is worth noting here that the toxicity of this plant is caused by the alkaloids contained in it. They affect the central nervous system and cause paralysis of the respiratory center and convulsions. Its toxicity depends on the climate and soil in which it grew, as well as on the age of the plant; for example, it is most toxic in southern latitudes, while in Norway it is used to feed livestock.

Growing on fertile garden soil, the grass aconite loses its poisonous properties after several generations. This plant has various medical uses: in Tibet it is considered the “king of medicine”, since it was used to treat pneumonia and anthrax; in domestic folk medicine it was used as an external pain reliever. At the moment, some of its species are included in the Red Book.

Description

Aconite is a plant up to 2.5 m high. It has dark green leaves, palmately divided, alternate, lobed or dissected. Monkshood has flowers irregular shape, large, purple, blue, sometimes yellow or white, collected in racemose apical inflorescences, similar in appearance with lupine. Plants bloom for a long time in the 2nd half of summer, for a month or more.

As mentioned above, this is a very poisonous plant. But it loses these properties after many years if grown on fertile garden soils.

Spreading

In the wild, it is found in the mountains throughout Central Europe, most often in high-mountain wet meadows where rich soils are found. In our country, it is quite often cultivated as an exclusively ornamental plant, and periodically runs wild. Its curtains are mainly found near roads, on the site of former villages, in landfills, and wastelands.

Landing

You need to think before planting aconite monkshood. Planting and care will not be difficult, but you need to understand that you can be poisoned by this plant. It is not recommended to plant it in places where there are pets and small children.

Wolfsbane is an unpretentious grass that does well in both shade and sunny areas. Although climbing varieties are still better planted under trees. In direct sunlight, the plant can get burned. Aconite does not like stagnant water, therefore, it does not need to be planted in lowlands.

Grass seeds are planted in autumn open ground. In this case, shoots will appear next spring. But when sowing in spring, only a year later the first shoots of aconite will appear.

When sowing seeds, stratification is used. The container with seeds is kept at 20 degrees for about a month, then transferred to the cold for about a month. Due to this, the seeds germinate simultaneously.

Soil for planting

Aconite is a plant that will grow well on all cultivated soils, excluding rocky or sandy ones. The soil must be breathable, drained, nutritious and moist.

Care

Throughout the summer, you need to periodically weed out weeds and loosen the soil. During the flowering period, organic and mineral fertilizers. In summer, it is necessary to mulch the soil 1-2 times with mown grass, humus or peat. Due to this, moisture in the soil can be preserved. In dry, hot weather, aconite (fighter) must be watered. To make the plant bushes look more decorative, you need to remove faded inflorescences, thereby stimulating new flowering.

If you need to get seeds, you need to choose the most beautiful inflorescence. After it fades, it needs to be tied in gauze. This way the seeds will not fall into the ground. For active flowering, the bush must be divided every 4 years.

The aconite plant, a photo of which can be seen in this article, is frost-resistant. In the fall, it must be cut short, and the rhizome should be covered with peat to a depth of 20 centimeters.

Emerging difficulties

The toxicity of this plant does not save it from all kinds of pests. Aconite is easily affected by root-knot and leaf nematodes, aphids, rapeseed flower beetle, slugs and other unwanted “guests”.

Diseases are also the sworn enemies of this plant: ring mosaic (green, sometimes turning brown, stripes and spots on the leaves), powdery mildew (a coating appears on flowers and leaves white), greening of flowers, spotting. However, the plant is difficult to cure. To stop the spread of the virus, the only way out is to remove the diseased plant.

In winter, with poor drainage or low acidity, root rot may develop from stagnation of soil moisture, therefore, it is necessary to use coarse-grained substrates, and also water the plant with biological preparations at the root.

Usage

Many plant species that grow in the temperate zone are often cultivated by gardeners for decorative purposes. The grass has a very beautiful inflorescences blue, purple, sometimes white, it looks great in a variety of garden compositions. Climbing varieties of aconite are used for vertical gardening. Other species are suitable against the backdrop of a lawn or thickets for tapeworms, as cut flowers and for side-by-side plantings.

Almost all varieties, except for a few modern bred species, contain in their vegetative organs a stupefying toxic substance with a rather bright, burning taste, in fact, that’s why it is considered a poisonous plant. You need to understand that aconite poisoning often leads to death. Uninformed people often mistake the roots of the plant for the roots of lovage or vegetables.

In India, arrow poison is made from the plant by mixing its juice with Dillenia speciosa. Tamerlane, according to legend, was also poisoned by aconite juice. The ancient Gauls and Germans applied plant juice to arrowheads when hunting various predatory animals.

It appeared in medicine in the seventeenth century thanks to the physician of the Emperor of Austria. Currently, it is widely used in homeopathy and folk medicine. It has antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, antitumor and antispasmodic properties. Aconite is used for neuralgia, oncology, pneumonia, epilepsy, tuberculosis, peptic ulcer, diphtheria, lice and other diseases. In addition, anthelmintic and wound-healing medicines are made from this plant.

Djungarian aconite

This is a poisonous perennial herbaceous plant belonging to the Ranunculaceae family. It mainly grows in Kashmir, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan on rich, well-moistened soils of the northern slopes. You will never see it in open mountain meadows or along river banks. The Chinese have almost completely dug up the plants that grow on the territory of their state, since a black mass is made from their roots, which serves as medicine. Since the sixties of the last century in Kyrgyzstan, Djungarian aconite has been one of the main items of foreign exchange income.

Its rhizome consists of cone-shaped roots fused together, reaching 2.5 centimeters in length. The stem is up to 130 centimeters, simple, straight, periodically densely pubescent. In this case, the leaves are located on elongated petioles, rounded-heart-shaped, dark green, dissected into wedge-shaped segments. By the flowering period, the lower leaves completely die off.

Inflorescence - apical, terminal raceme. The flowers are large, purple or blue. There are quite a lot of stamens, they look more like threads with 2 denticles. Pistils are formed from carpels. This variety of aconite blooms in August. The fruit is a dry, compact three-leaflet. The seeds are brownish-brown, small, and begin to ripen in September.

Wolfsbane climbing

This is a herbaceous ornamental plant with very flexible stems reaching 2 meters in height. The homeland of this species is considered to be Korea and Siberia. The leaves are dark green, carved. The flowers are small, collected in loose large inflorescences, mostly white or deep purple.

Wolfsbane

A poisonous, perennial herbaceous plant that belongs to the Ranunculaceae family. This aconite is distributed throughout Europe. Often used as a garden ornamental plant.

Reaches 150 centimeters in height. Every year, this plant develops a new root tuber, while the old one dies. The leaves are divided into several lobes. At the top of the shoot they form dark blue flowers. The sepal shape very much resembles a bumblebee. By the way, this insect pollinates only aconite. Flowering time is the whole summer. Fruits with a huge number of seeds, follicular.

Fisher's aconite

It is a herbaceous plant reaching 1.6 meters in height. Most often found in nature in the Far East. Leaves of this variety divided into lobes, leathery. Flowers of a bright blue hue are collected in dense or sparse inflorescences. This blue aconite blooms from June to September.

Baikal aconite

This is a herbaceous plant that reaches a height of 1.2 m. It has a profusely drooping, straight stem. The flowers are purple, collected in loose large racemes. The leaves are dissected, the lower ones are located on long petioles, while the upper ones are sessile. Most often grows in Siberia and Mongolia.

Aconite arcuate

This is a non-poisonous, shade-tolerant, herbaceous plant that is used for ornamental purposes. The homeland is considered Far East. This plant blooms very profusely. Frost-resistant, unpretentious grass, not disease-prone and undemanding to soils.

Useful properties

This plant is used in folk medicine due to its following beneficial properties:

• anti-inflammatory;
• antibacterial;
• pain reliever;
• antitumor;
• narcotic;
• anticonvulsant;
• sedative;
• antiallergic;
• hypolipidemic;
• sweatshop.

Application in homeopathy

Preparations prepared on the basis of aconite are used as an antipyretic in homeopathic medicine. They are used for otitis and neuritis, which are accompanied by tingling and severe pain. For radiculitis, it is prescribed as an anti-inflammatory and pain reliever. Active in the fight against hypertension. This drug is used for the following diseases: endocarditis, arrhythmia, angina pectoris, pericarditis, pneumonia, hepatitis, bronchial asthma. Helps with urinary retention, menopausal hot flashes, and conditions associated with fear. In addition, aconite is prescribed for furunculosis, goiter, and carbuncles.

Use in folk medicine

Preparations containing aconite root are used for colds, joint pain, and neuralgia. Tincture of the plant is used in the treatment of various cancer diseases. There is evidence that such drugs can improve hair growth. The herb is used for diseases of the mucous membranes, as well as for bleeding. Aconite is used in the form of tinctures, oil extracts, ointments, powders, rubs, and decoctions.

It also helps with the following pathologies:

• pinched sciatic nerve;
• arthritis;
• gout;
• soft tissue bruises;
• osteochondrosis;
• sciatica;
• epilepsy;
• osteochondrosis;
• nervous disorders;
• headaches;
• depressive states;
• toothaches;
• migraines;
• tuberculosis;
• benign neoplasms;
• paralysis;
• multiple sclerosis.

Due to their cytostatic effect, such drugs can slow down the growth of tumors and act as an immunomodulator. In cancer patients, aconite reduces pain. Of course, its use must be combined with primary anticancer therapy.

Due to its diaphoretic effect, the tincture is used for laryngitis, feverish conditions, tonsillitis, pneumonia, and bronchitis. Its use is justified in these diseases due to its antibiotic action, which allows it to cope with pathogenic microorganisms.

There are positive results in the treatment of breast fibroadenoma, nodular goiter and nodular mastopathy using aconite.

Tincture of aconite

Usually, for internal use, a 10% tincture of aconite is used (100 grams of the plant root is poured with 40% alcohol, then infused for 2 weeks and filtered).

It is taken according to a certain method, which depends on the degree of neglect of the disease and the person’s well-being. In the case of a gentle method, you need to drink it once a day, diluting it in half a glass of water: the first day 1 drop, the second - 2, etc. up to ten drops. Then we go to the reduction to the final one drop. This course of twenty days must be repeated at least 3 times if we want to see the result. In this case, there must be a break of at least one week between courses.

With the intensive method, this tincture is drunk according to the same scheme, only three times a day.

Treatment cannot be combined with treatment with other potent plant poisons, including such poisonous plants as princeling, hemlock, fly agaric, and wolf's bast. Together with the tincture, it is possible and necessary to use herbal teas, cleansing tinctures and herbs, as well as balms. Syrup goes well with aconite black elderberry(in the case of treatment of fibroadenoma of the mammary gland, mastopathy), aqueous infusion of common cinquefoil and cinquefoil (for nodular goiter), lungwort and Cetraria isladica (for pneumonia, lung cancer). External use of aconite ointment for tumors enhances the effect: the ointment is applied twice a day in a thin layer to the projection of the diseased organ (the area of ​​the mammary glands, thyroid gland, lungs from the back and chest, enlarged lymph nodes, as well as other neoplasms).

Ointments

Ointments with aconite, in addition standard use for pain, can be used by cancer patients to improve cytostatic therapy. The remedy for this is applied to enlarged lymph nodes, projections of diseased organs. Ointments from aconite extracts relieve pain from rheumatism and neuralgia, joint pain, and are also used for tumors. Excellent results were obtained in the treatment of nodular goiter, fibroadenoma of the mammary gland and nodular fibrocystic mastopathy.

Contraindications

In its fresh form, aconite is a very poisonous plant, despite the fact that the flowers of the fighter are incredibly beautiful. Self-medication is contraindicated for them! A specialist should work with him. This applies not only to the use of the plant as a medicine. In general, you need to be extremely careful when using poisonous plants for treatment. It is necessary to be extremely careful when planting aconite (plant) in the garden, and it is advisable to refrain from breaking off flower stalks that beckon with their beauty. If you can find such a plant in the wild in your city, be sure to inform your children about the danger. In case of short-term contact with it, you need to be extremely careful, wash your hands thoroughly and use protective equipment. Aconite contains aconitine (a highly toxic alkaloid), which is especially abundant in the roots of this plant.

Symptoms of poisoning are as follows: numbness of the mouth and tongue, tingling, vomiting and nausea, irregular and weak pulse, difficulty breathing, paralysis, cold sweat. Just 2 mg of aconitine (5 ml tincture or 1 gram of plant) can lead to the death of a healthy adult in less than four hours.

If you are poisoned by aconite, you should immediately call an ambulance, since most likely, home remedies will not be enough. If symptoms of poisoning occur, you must drink a lot of salted water, then induce vomiting, then do an enema and drink activated carbon or saline laxative.

The aconite plant belongs to the buttercup family, in particular, to the genus of perennial poisonous herbaceous plants. The name of the plant comes from Aconae, a Greek word that means “rock, cliff.” Today, many varieties of this plant are known, among which the most common are: Aconite glomerulosa, Wolfsbane, poisonous Aconite, wrestler Aconite, Djungarian Aconite and many more different subspecies. In addition, there are other names - Issyk-Kul root, wolf root, king grass, king root, black root, blue eye, slipper, black potion.

In ancient times, Aconite flowers could be seen in great abundance in the ancient Greek city of Akone. Myths say that poisonous saliva of Cerberus- the hellish dog, which Hercules brought to earth from the underworld, became the conception of the plant. And the grass acquired the name “wrestler” according to Scandinavian mythology, which says that a wrestler grew up in the place where Thor defeated a poisonous snake, and then died from its bites.

The poisonous properties of the flower have been known since ancient times. The Greeks and Chinese used it to poison arrows, and in Nepal they used it to poison drinking water as bait for predators.

Even the smell of this plant is poisonous. According to Plutarch, the soldiers of Mark Antony, poisoned by aconite, lost their memory. According to the legend, this grass caused the death of Timur Khan, since his skullcap was completely saturated with juice.

The herb is also called wolfsbane because it was used to poison wolves.

The toxicity of the plant is caused by the alkaloids it contains. When acting on the central nervous system, they are capable of cause convulsions and paralysis of the respiratory center. The toxicity of the grass depends on the soil in which it grows, the climate and the age of the plant itself. For example, in Norway the grass is used as livestock feed, and in southern latitudes it is most poisonous.

When the grass grows on the fertile garden soil, then it loses its poisonous properties after a couple of generations. The medical uses of aconite are very diverse:

• It is considered the “king of medicine” in Tibet. There this herb was used for treatment anthrax and pneumonia;
• in national folk medicine, the herb was used as an external painkiller;
• V modern times some plant species are listed in the Red Book.

What kind of wolf root is he?

Aconite grows up to 2.5 meters in height, the stem is erect, bare, simple. Its leaves are dark green, alternate, palmately divided, dissected or lobed. The flowers of the plant are very similar in appearance to lupine, collected in apical racemose inflorescences of irregular shape, blue, purple, sometimes white or yellow. The roots of the plant are slightly thickened and resemble turnips in shape. The fruit of aconite is prefabricated and consists of leaflets. Plants bloom from June to September.

Habitat and distribution

Aconite grows on soils rich in humus, along roadsides, in mountain meadows, along the coast in damp places. In Central Europe, the plant can often be seen in mountainous areas, especially in high mountain meadows, where there is a large amount of nutrients. Most often it grows in the form of continuous thickets. In the Northern Hemisphere there are almost 300 different types plants, most of which are very poisonous, but there are also decorative ones. Aconite is often cultivated in gardens as ornamental plant, and with a completely different name.

Landing

Before planting this magical plant, you need to think carefully. There are no difficulties at all when landing and further care, but you should always remember that the plant is poisonous and can cause severe forms of poisoning. It is not advisable to grow the plant in places where pets, especially small children, live.

The grass itself is completely unpretentious and takes root both in sunny areas and in the shade. But varieties that climb are best planted under trees, because direct rays of the sun can cause burns to the plant. The only thing the plant doesn't like is stagnant water.

Seeds in open ground should be planted in autumn, then the first shoots will appear in the spring. If planted in the spring, the first plants will sprout only after a year.

Aconite takes root well on cultivated soils, which are characterized by drainage, moisture, nutrition and breathability.

How to care for a plant?

• loosening the soil and weeding must be done throughout the summer;
• when the flowering period begins, you should feed the grass with mineral and organic fertilizers;
• 1-2 times in summer is necessary mulch soil when using grass clippings and thus retain moisture;
• if it is hot enough, the plants will need to be watered;
• In order for the bushes to look decorative, inflorescences that have already faded must be removed. This way, new flowering is stimulated;
• to collect the seed, the most beautiful inflorescence should be chosen;
• periodically (every 4 years) the bush should be divided, then flowering will be more active;
• In autumn, the plant should be cut short and the rhizomes should be covered with peat about 20 centimeters deep.

Possible difficulties and illnesses

Despite the fact that the plant is very poisonous, this does not save it from various pests. The plant is quite easily affected by rapeseed flower beetle, aphids, slugs, leaf and root-knot nematodes and other insects.

Diseases are also sworn enemies for the plant:

• powdery mildew when on leaves and flowers white coating appears;
• ring mosaic - spots and stripes on leaves green, in some places turning brown;
• spotting;
• greening of flowers.

With such diseases, the plant cannot be cured; it is preferable to remove it altogether in order to stop the spread of the virus.

IN winter period when it happens moisture stagnation, rotting of the roots may occur, so the plant must be watered at the root with biological products.

The Variety of Wolfgrass Abilities

Indeed, this wonderful plant is capable of many things:

• perfectly cures a variety of pain in joints, bones and muscles. In this case, not only the analgesic effect of the herb is obtained, but also antibacterial, hemostatic and anti-inflammatory;
• helps with a variety of febrile conditions, especially characteristic of the inhabitants of southeast and southern Asia. It is used there as a hot decoction, which causes sweating and warming;
• in people suffering from hypertension, it reduces blood pressure. Moreover, it not only lowers, but acts as a stabilizer when taking the tincture for 3-4 months;
• copes well with a variety of hepatitis, which are accompanied by yellowing of the sclera and skin;
• relieves sepsis, including those that are accompanied by DIC;
• helps with almost all diseases that are associated with the activity of the endocrine system;
• helps heal natural infectious diseases: enteritis and colitis, all kinds of infectious diseases, diseases of internal organs and the upper respiratory tract;
• has an opposing effect to systemic and autoimmune diseases, which affect several organs at the same time;
• activates and improves weakened immunity;
• copes well with a variety of poisonings, including alcoholic ones. Relieves hangover symptoms well;
• helps people with cancer of various locations. If taken in combination with other herbs, it is possible to bring a person to complete recovery.

The use of aconite in homeopathy and traditional medicine

1. In homeopathic medicine, preparations based on aconite are used mainly as antipyretics. It is also often used for neuritis and otitis, accompanied by pain and tingling. It is often used as an anesthetic for radiculitis. Active action occurs when hypertension diseases. The drug is also used for the following diseases: pneumonia, angina pectoris, arrhythmia, endocarditis, bronchial asthma, pericarditis. The drug helps with menopausal hot flashes. Medicines are also prescribed for goiter, furunculosis and carbuncles.
2. Traditional medicine uses compounds for neuralgia, joint pain and colds. Special tinctures are taken for cancer. There are opinions that this drug can improve hair growth. The herb is very useful for bleeding and is used as ointments, oil extracts, rubs, tinctures, powders and decoctions. The drug has known positive results in the treatment of nodular goiter, mammary gland and nostopathy. For many diseases, the use of the drug is quite justified, but in order to avoid troubles, it should be used in combination with proper medical therapy.

Contraindications and clinical picture

Although the grass fighter has incredibly attractive and beautiful flowers, but fresh aconite is a rather poisonous plant. Fully self-medication with herbs is contraindicated. And this applies not only to its use as medicine. Extreme caution is also required when landing and further cultivation aconite If suddenly this plant is spotted in the wild in the garden, then you should warn everyone, especially children, and resist the temptation to break off the flower stalks. During any contact, even short-term, you should wash your hands thoroughly using protective equipment.

Symptoms of poisoning by this plant can be varied:

• paleness and tingling sensation in different parts of the body;
• itchy skin;
• increasing weakness;
• paresthesia - a condition when you feel a crawling sensation;
• anesthesia replaces the feeling of itching when the plant gets on the mucous membranes;
• possible numbness of the tongue;
• diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, which are accompanied by pain and burning in the intestines and stomach;
• sweating and salivation;
• when the heat turns into instant cold - a very characteristic symptom;
• possible darkening of the eyes, dilation of the pupils;
• spasms of the limbs, which can turn into a feeling of pain;
• cardiac arrhythmia and heart pain;
• hearing loss;
• difficulty breathing.

In cases of aconite poisoning, you should immediately call an ambulance, because home treatment will not be enough. Before the doctors arrive, you must drink plenty of salt water and then try to induce vomiting. You can also drink a saline laxative, activated charcoal, and do an enema.

From the above it follows that, along with extraordinary healing abilities Wolfsbane, during any contact with aconite it is necessary to maintain extreme caution, especially when the plant is kept in the house or grown in the garden.