Wolfsbane - Aconitum napellus
Even the smallest amounts of the Alpine flower can be fatal, which is what made it a dreaded witch's herb and a popular murder weapon in ancient times. In homeopathy, it is a widely used medicinal plant for colds today, but it is also used to treat anxiety and panic attacks.
healing toxic plant
Fields of application
The active ingredient in wolfsbane is aconitine, which has a paralysing effect on the nerves. Preparations made from blue wolfsbane have analgesic, paralysing, anaesthetic, neurotoxic and cardiotoxic properties. They are used in homeopathy and in anthroposophic medicines for the treatment of nerve pain (neuralgia), neuritis, fever, flu and colds. Wolfsbane is also traditionally used in Tibetan and Chinese medicine. It is available in various forms, such as globules, oils, drops, ear drops and ampoules. In potentised form, it relieves headaches and aching limbs associated with feverish colds.
Botanical characteristics
A blue monkshood plant is a summer-green, perennial, herbaceous plant that grows to a height of 50 to 200 centimetres. The tuberous root is harvested in January and processed for pharmaceutical purposes. Thanks to its bright blue flowers, it is an extremely popular ornamental plant and can be found in many private gardens. However, monkshood is also considered to be the most poisonous plant in Europe. Even in small quantities, it can be fatal to humans and animals.