Embedded Files
Toxicity
Toxicity
Symptoms
Symptoms
Symptoms: Abnormalities of blood pressure, bradycardia, burning of abdomen, burning of mouth, cardiac arrest, cardiac dysrhythmia, chest pain, circulatory collapse, coma, convulsions, darkened vision, diarrhea, dizziness, frothing of mouth, headache, hypotension, increased salivation, muscular weakness, nausea, numbness, palpitations, paralysis, restlessness, shock, shortness of breath, stiffening of body, tingling skin, vomiting.
Duration of Symptoms: With treatment, 24 hours.
Rate of Poison: Hours
Causes Death: Yes, through asphyxia or cardiovascular problems. Stops the heart.
Treatment: Anti-arrhythmic drugs, atropine, DC shock, digitalis, emetic, fluid replacement, inhaling ammonia, camphor, or sulfuric ether, hyperdermic injections of atropine or digitalin, respiratory support, strophanthin.
Back in the 19th century, monkshood was often mistaken for horseradish, whose roots are similar looking to that of monkshood. Even just ingesting a small amount could cause people to become sickened, or even die from the poison. Its main toxin, aconotine, was even used in Nazi Germany as poisonous bullets.
Photo: Danny S. - Wikimedia Commons
License: Public Domain
Main Toxin
Main Toxin
Molecular structure of aconitine (ChemDraw).
Aconitine
Aconitine
Aconitine is a diterpene alkaloid that targets the sodium channel activators by stabilizing voltage-dependent sodium ion channels. These channels have an impact on the neurons and the cardiovascular system. By keeping the sodium channels open, an increase in the concentration of sodium ions causes constant depolarization of the heart, preventing the repolarization of the heart. This means that the heart will have improper beating patterns. Aconitine impacts heart muscle cells (cardiomyocytes) by targeting numerous pathways and causing cell death (apoptosis) of these cells. This is done by activating two pathways, NLRP3 and TNF-α. Apoptosis may also occur due to the fluctuation of calcium ion concentration, which increases the rate of apoptosis in cardiomyocytes. In addition, aconitine can also disrupt the neural transmission pathways. This causes abnormalities with movement and degeneration of neurons. As a result, toxicity with the heart and neurons are extremely common upon ingestion of plant. Eventually, this will cause the heart to eventually stop beating.
In other words: Aconitine is a toxin that affects the heart and nervous system. It keeps sodium channels in cells open, causing an increase in sodium ions. This leads to constant depolarization of the heart, preventing it from beating properly. Aconitine also causes heart muscle cells to die by activating certain pathways and disrupting calcium ion levels. Additionally, it affects neural transmission, leading to movement issues and neuron damage. Ingesting aconitine can cause severe heart and nerve toxicity, eventually stopping the heart.
Other Toxins and Chemical Components
Other Toxins and Chemical Components
Hypaconitine
Hypaconitine
Hypaconitine is an alkaloid that targets the HepG2 cell line by inhibiting the growth. If swallowed or inhaled, it could cause acute toxicity. Hypaconitine has impacted the nervous system and the cardiovascular system. It can also cause neuromuscular blocking effect. It is possible that this could be due to the blockage of acetylcholine receptors. It is possible that Hypaconitine blocks the sodium ion channels to cause muscle paralysis.
In other words: Hypaconitine is a compound that can stop the growth of certain liver cells. If ingested or inhaled, it can be highly toxic. It affects the nervous and cardiovascular systems and can cause muscle paralysis by blocking sodium ion channels and possibly acetylcholine receptors
Jesaconitine
Jesaconitine
Jesaconitine is an alkaloid that is a neurotoxin and a cardiotoxin. It acts on the sodium ion channels and causes hyperpolarization of the cells in the cardiovascular system. This results in arrythmia, which turns into ventricular fibrillation and eventually cardiac arrest.
In other words: Jesaconitine is a toxic compound that affects the nervous system and heart. It disrupts sodium channels in heart cells, leading to abnormal heart rhythms, which can escalate to severe heart problems and cardiac arrest.
Mesaconitine
Mesaconitine
Mesaconitine is a diterpene alkaloid that targets the HepG2 cell line by inhibiting the growth. Mesaconitine binds to voltage-dependent sodium channels causing the channels to remain open. This causes a delay with depolarization and early repolarization, causing problems with heartbeats. Other effects of mesaconitine are similar to aconitine, but less potent.
In other words: Mesaconitine is a compound that stops the growth of certain liver cells. It binds to sodium channels, keeping them open and causing heart problems. Its effects are similar to aconitine but less potent.
Anisine
Deoxyaconitine
Ignarine
N-desethyl Aconitine
Oxonitine
Telatisine
Atidine
Heteratisine
Kobushine
Neoline
Pseudokobusine
Benzoylaconine
Higenamine
Lappaconitine
Neopelline
Songorine
Coryneine
Hysognavine
Napelline
Oxoaconitine
Talatisamine
General Information
General Information
Parts of Plant: All parts, especially leaves and roots.
Contact Hazard: Poison may be transferred via contact with leaves.
Animals Affected: Cattle, goats, horses, rats, sheep
Notes: Roots may be mistaken for horseradish roots.
Medicinal Value
Medicinal Value
General Information
General Information
Parts of Plant: All parts
Properties: Analgesic, anesthetic, anodyne, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antitumor, diaphoretic, diuretic, febrifuge, immunomodulatory, sedative.
Components: Aconite, Lappaconitine
Antidote: Used to treat cancer
Preparation: Over-the-counter medicine
Historical Uses
Historical Uses
Current Uses
Current Uses
Treatments
Treatments
Appendicitis: Plant mixed with coix and patrinia.
Colds
Diarrhea
Gastroenteritis
Joint Pain
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Location
Location
Ayruveda: Plant used to treat colds.
China: Root stocks used in traditional medicine. Plant undergoes hours of decoction before use.
Greece
India: Root stocks used in traditional medicine.
Japan: Root stocks used in traditional medicine.
Jingui Yaolue: Plant was used to treat appendicitis.
Rome
Claimed Treatments
Claimed Treatments
Arthritis
Asthma
Bronchitis
Cancer: Prevention/treatment of various cancers; breast, cervical, liver, lung, melanoma, ovarian, pancreatic.
Colds: Over-the-counter medicine
Colic
Cough
Croup
Debility
Diabetes
Dizziness
Fever: Aconitum napellus.
Flatulence
Gout: Aconitum napellus
Heart Disease
Heart palpitations: Used as sedative
Hepatopathy
Indigestion
Laryngitis
Leprosy
Low Blood Pressure
Measles: Aconitum napellus.
Menses Scanty
Neuralgia
Pain: Aconitum napellus used for pain from arthritis, neuralgia, and sciatica.
Paralysis
Pericarditis: Used as sedative
Pleurisy
Pneumonia
Psoriasis
Rheumatoid Arthritis: Aconitum napellus.
Sciatica
Sinusitis
Skin Diseases
Slow Heart Rate: Tincture applied to skin.
Spermatorrhea
Strangury
Tonsillitis
Urethritis
Urine Retention
Whooping Cough
Yellow Fever
Location
Location
China: Lappaconitine, from the Aconitum Sinomontanum, is used as an anesthetic
North America: Aconitum napellus may be used for fever, gout, measles, pain, and rheumatoid arthritis. ONLY IN SMALL DOSES>
Edibility
Edibility
Parts of Plant: None known
Nutrients:
Minerals: Calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium
Vitamins: Vitamin B3, vitamin C, vitamin K
Taste: Sweet
WARNING: !DO NOT CONSUME!
Historical Uses
Historical Uses
Current Uses
Current Uses
Preparation Methods
Preparation Methods
None known
Preparation Methods
Preparation Methods
None known
General Facts
General Facts
Plant Facts
Plant Facts
Illustration of Monkshood by D. A. Wilkerson
Family: Ranunculaceae (Buttercup Family)
Genus: Aconitum
Other Names: Aconite, Blue Rocket, Conite, Devil's Helmet, Friar's Cap, Helmet Flower, Leopard's Bane, Soldier's Cap, Trainling Monkshood, Wild Monkshood, Wolfsbane, Women's Bane
Synonyms: A. ampliflorum, A. anglicum, A. confertum, A. fornicatum, A. funckii, A. grandiflorum, A. halleri, A. microstachyum, A. neubergense, A. occidentale var. splendens, A. spicatum, A. venustum, A. willdenowii, A. napellus var. paniculatum.
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Bloom Colours: Yellow, Blue, Purple, Pink, White
Bloom Time: June - September
Type: Perennial
Height: 1 - 6 feet
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Habitat: Marshes, meadows, moist soils, open woods
Origin: Europe
States: IA, NY, OH, PE, VA, WV, WI
Provinces: ON
Related Species
Related Species
Aconitum alboviolaceum (White-Violet Monkshood)
Photo: Eugene Popov - Wikimedia Commons
License: CC 4.0
Aconitum anthora
(Yellow Monkshood)
Photo: Meneerke bloem - Wikimedia Commons
Aconitum cammarum
(Bicolor)
Photo: Danny S. - Wikimedia Commons
Aconitum columbianum (Western Monkshood)
Photo: J. Schmidt - Wikimedia Commons
Aconitum delphiniifolium (Alaskan Monkshood)
Photo: Zaereth - Wikimedia Commons
Aconitum henryi
(Sparks Variety)
Photo: Rob Hille - Wikimedia Commons
Aconitum heterophyllum
(Atis)
Photo: Vishnupersaud - Wikimedia Commons
Aconitum luridum
(Blue Hooded Flower)
Photo: Mary Loosemore - Flickr
Aconitum lycoctonum
(Alpine Wolfsbane)
Photo: Nicolas Weghaupt - Wikimedia Commons
Aconitum napellus
(Common Monkshood)
Photo: Patrice78500- Wikimedia Commons
Aconitum noveboracense (Northern Monkshood)
Photo: SEWilco - Wikimedia Commons
Aconitum uncinatum
(Southern Blue Monkshood)
Photo: Dr. Thomas G. Barnes - Wikimedia Commons
Aconitum vulparia
(Fox Monkshood)
Photo: Manuel Matas - Wikimedia Commons
Other Species
Other Species
Aconitum abietetorum
Aconitum acutiusculum
Aconitum ajanense
Aconitum alboflavidum
Aconitum alpino-nepalense
Family Connection
Family Connection
Sources
Sources
Toxicity Section
Toxicity Section
AACC. (n.d.). Monkshood. From https://www.aacc.org/science-and-research/toxin-library/monkshood
Blount County Extension Master Gardeners. (2016) Dangers in the Garden - Part 1. From https://bcmgtn.wildapricot.org/Dangers-in-the-Garden-Part-1
Chemical Book. (2024). Aconitine. From https://www.chemicalbook.com/ChemicalProductProperty_EN_CB1343300.htm
CSU. (n.d.) Guide to Poisonous Plants. From https://csuvth.colostate.edu/poisonous_plants/Plants/Details/1
D'Mello, J.F. (Ed). (1997). Handbook of Plant and Fungal Toxicants. CRC Press. (pp.261).
Hao, D. C., Gu, X. J., & Xiao, P. G. (2015). Chemical and biological studies of Aconitum pharmaceutical resources. Medicinal Plants; Elsevier: Amsterdam, The Netherlands. From https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/hypaconitine
KIMURA, M., MUROI, M., KIMURA, I., SAKAI, S. I., & KITAGAWA, I. (1988). Hypaconitine, the dominant constituent responsible for the neuromuscular blocking action of the Japanese-sino medicine “bushi”(aconite root). Japanese journal of pharmacology, 48(2), 290-293. From https://pdf.sciencedirectassets.com
Li, S., Yu, L., Shi, Q., Liu, Y., Zhang, Y., Wang, S., & Lai, X. (2022). An insight into current advances on pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, toxicity and detoxification of aconitine. Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy, 151, 113115. From https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0753332222005042?ref=cra_js_challenge&fr=RR-1
Li, X., Ou, X., Luo, G., Ou, X., Xie, Y., Ying, M., ... & Zhu, L. (2020). Mdr1a, Bcrp and Mrp2 regulate the efficacy and toxicity of mesaconitine and hypaconitine by altering their tissue accumulation and in vivo residence. Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology, 409, 115332. From https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0041008X20304543
Maharjan, S., Parajuli, S. R., & Dhungana, D. (2022). Aconite Poisoning: A Case Report. Annapurna Journal of Health Sciences, 2(2), 43-46.
Muenscher, W. C. (1975). Poisonous Plants of the United States. Macmillian Publishing Co., Inc. (pp. 79-81).
National Center for Biotechnology Information (2023). PubChem Compound Summary for CID 245005, Aconitine. From https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Aconitine.
Nelson, L. S., Shih, R. D., Balick, M. J. (2007). Handbook of Poisonous and Injurious Plants (2nd ed.). Springer. (pp. 32,62-63)
Poison Control. (n.d.). Aconitum napellus (Monkshood): A Purple Poison. From https://www.poison.org/articles/why-is-monkshood-considered-a-poison--174
Senthilkumaran, S., Meenakshisundaram, R., & Thirumalaikolundusubramanian, P. (2015). Plant toxins and the heart. In Heart and toxins (pp. 151-174). Academic Press. From https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/pharmacology-toxicology-and-pharmaceutical-science/mesaconitine
Shoyama, Y., Nishioka, I., & Hatano, K. (1991). Aconitum spp.(Monkshood): Somatic embryogenesis, plant regeneration, and the production of aconitine and other alkaloids. In Medicinal and Aromatic Plants III (pp. 58-72). Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. From https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/978-3-642-84071-5.pdf
Stewart, A. (2009). Wicked Plants: The Weed That Killed Lincoln's Mother & Other Botanical Atrocities. Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill. (pp. 1-2).
Suzuki, O., Watanabe, K., Mizugaki, M., & Ito, K. (2005). Aconite toxins. Drugs and poisons in humans: a handbook of practical analysis, 455-467. From https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/3-540-27579-7_52
The Friends of the Wild Flower Garden, Inc. (2015). Monkshood. From https://www.friendsofthewildflowergarden.org/pages/plants/monkshood.html
Xiang, G., Guo, S., Qin, J., Gao, H., Zhang, Y., & Wang, S. (2024). Comprehensive insight into the pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, toxicity, detoxification and extraction of hypaconitine from Aconitum plants. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 321, 117505. From https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0378874123013752
Medicinal Value Section
Medicinal Value Section
AACC. (n.d.). Monkshood. From https://www.aacc.org/science-and-research/toxin-library/monkshood
Blount County Extension Master Gardeners. (2016) Dangers in the Garden - Part 1. From https://bcmgtn.wildapricot.org/Dangers-in-the-Garden-Part-1
D'Mello, J.F. (Ed). (1997). Handbook of Plant and Fungal Toxicants. CRC Press. (pp.261).
Herbpathy. (n.d.). Aconitum Herb Uses, Benefits, Cures, Side Effects, Nutrients. From https://herbpathy.com/Uses-and-Benefits-of-Aconitum-Napellus-Cid1498
Li, S., Yu, L., Shi, Q., Liu, Y., Zhang, Y., Wang, S., & Lai, X. (2022). An insight into current advances on pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, toxicity and detoxification of aconitine. Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy, 151, 113115. From https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0753332222005042?ref=cra_js_challenge&fr=RR-1
Lust, J. (1974). The Herb Book. Benedict Lust Publishings. (pp 281).
Poison Control. (n.d.). Aconitum napellus(Monkshood): A Purple Poison. From https://www.poison.org/articles/why-is-monkshood-considered-a-poison--174
The Friends of the Wild Flower Garden, Inc. (2015). Monkshood. From https://www.friendsofthewildflowergarden.org/pages/plants/monkshood.html
Edibility Section
Edibility Section
Herbpathy. (n.d.). Aconitum Herb Uses, Benefits, Cures, Side Effects, Nutrients. From https://herbpathy.com/Uses-and-Benefits-of-Aconitum-Napellus-Cid1498
General Facts Section
General Facts Section
Blount County Extension Master Gardeners. (2016) Dangers in the Garden - Part 1. From https://bcmgtn.wildapricot.org/Dangers-in-the-Garden-Part-1
D'Mello, J.F. (Ed). (1997). Handbook of Plant and Fungal Toxicants. CRC Press. (pp.261).
Nelson, L. S., Shih, R. D., Balick, M. J. (2007). Handbook of Poisonous and Injurious Plants (2nd ed.). Springer. (pp. 32,62-63)
Neveln, V. (2018). Monkshood. Better Homes & Gardens. From https://www.bhg.com/gardening/plant-dictionary/perennial/monkshood/
Stewart, A. (2009). Wicked Plants: The Weed That Killed Lincoln's Mother & Other Botanical Atrocities. Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill. (pp. 1-2).
The Friends of the Wild Flower Garden, Inc. (2015). Monkshood. From https://www.friendsofthewildflowergarden.org/pages/plants/monkshood.html
Date of page creation: September 13, 2022
Updated: June 2, 2023
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