Indian aconite

Aconitum ferox

Physical Characteristics

Aconitum ferox is a PERENNIAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6. It is in flower from August to September. The flowers are pollinated by Bees. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and can grow in heavy clay soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

Distribution

E. Asia - Himalayas.

Habitats

Woodland Garden Dappled Shade;

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal Uses

Alterative Anaesthetic Antiarthritic Cholera Deobstruent Diaphoretic Diuretic Leprosy Sedative Stimulant The dried root is alterative, anaesthetic, antiarthritic, deobstruent, diaphoretic, diuretic, sedative, stimulant[178]. It is best harvested in the autumn as soon as the plant dies down. This is a very poisonous plant and should only be used with extreme caution and under the supervision of a qualified practitioner. It has been used in India and Nepal in the treatment of neuralgia, leprosy, fevers, cholera and rheumatism[240, 272]. When the roots are soaked in cow's urine, they become soft and lose their depressant action on the heart, becoming a stimulant instead[240].

Known Hazards

The whole plant is highly toxic - simple skin contact has caused numbness in some people[1, 51, 200].