Aconitum heterophyllum

Physical Characteristics

Aconitum heterophyllum is a PERENNIAL growing to 1.5 m (5ft). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6. It is in flower from August to September, and the seeds ripen from September to October. 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 - W. Himalayas.

Habitats

Woodland Garden Dappled Shade;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves Root Edible Uses: Leaves and root - cooked[177]. This report should be treated with great distrust due to the poisonous nature of the genus, but see the notes above on known hazards[K].

Medicinal Uses

Analgesic Antiinflammatory Antiperiodic Aphrodisiac Astringent Cholagogue Febrifuge Tonic The dried root is analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antiperiodic, aphrodisiac, astringent, cholagogue, febrifuge and tonic[4, 240]. It is used in India in the treatment of dyspepsia, diarrhoea and coughs[240, 243]. It is also used in Tibetan medicine, where it is said to have a bitter taste and a cooling potency[241]. It is used to treat poisoning from scorpion or snake bites, the fevers of contagious diseases and inflammation of the intestines[241]. The root is best harvested in the autumn as soon as the plant dies down and is dried for later use[4]. This is a very poisonous plant and should only be used with extreme caution and under the supervision of a qualified practitioner.

Known Hazards

The whole plant is highly toxic - simple skin contact has caused numbness in some people[1]. One report says that this plant does not contain the toxic alkaloid aconitine, and so is not poisonous[4]. It does, however, still contain an intensely bitter alkaloid[4].