Today these plants grow in many parts of the world, including the United States, Canada, Asia, Africa and Europe.Īlthough some herbalists and practitioners of folklore medicine have long used this plant for its potentially healing properties, it’s also known to be highly poisonous. The flowers are a deep, dark purple or blue color and are described as “helmet-shaped.” Other names for this plant originated because of its historical use in bait used to kill wolves.Īre aconite and Aconitum Napellus the same? For the most part, yes.Īconite describes the larger genus, while Aconitum napellus is the species name for the plant most often used medicinally. Aconite has earned some of these nicknames due to the shape of its flowers, which look similar to the hoods that monks wear.

These plants are also referred to by several other names, including monkshood, wolf’s bane, friar’s cap and auld wife’s huid. It’s believed that there are more than 250 species of flowering aconite plants in existence, which belong to the plant family Ranunculaceae (also called the buttercup family). What Is Aconite?Īconite is the name for a group of plants that are native to Europe and used in homeopathic medicine.

One example is the plant called aconite, historically utilized to treat conditions such as colds and anxiety, but also to hunt and kill animals, and even prisoners, due to its highly toxic effects. Something that makes homeopathic medicine unusual is that certain plants can be utilized as both medicine and poison.

Wolfsbane poison antidote