Aconitum spp.
Aconitum spp. Information
Aconitum is the botanical name of the genus of plants commonly known as aconite, monkshood, or wolfsbane. The Aconitum genus belongs to the Ranunculaceae (commonly called buttercup) family of flowering plants. There are over 250 species of Aconitum.
Different Aconitum species (and their varieties) can be found in most parts of globe. All Aconitum plants contain poisonous alkaloids that can, in sufficient quantity, be deadly. Recreational use is discouraged.
Man has used Aconitum as a medicine and poison for thousands of years. Outside Europe it was widely used for its medical properties. Chinese folk medicines use the roots for treating headaches, paralysis (hemiplegia), rheumatism, arthritis, contusions, bruises, broken bones and overheating of the body. (reference 1)
In the Himalayas, a species of Aconitum called Himalayan monkshood (Aconitum ferox) is used in many ways. Very small doses are given to people that lack motivation or suffer from permanent fatigue.
The dried leaves of Himalayan monkshood are burned as incense, the seeds are sometimes used in rituals, and the entire plant is considered to be an agent of protection.
A tea (prepared from the flowers and/or leaves) is used to enter a trance and to have visions. Five to ten minutes after drinking it, the feeling of flying is said to come upon the user. (reference 2)
Aconitum was often employed as an ingredient in the psychoactive drugs prepared by the descendants of Hecate (the Greek goddess of sorcery and witchcraft).
It was also used in European witchcraft ointments. Although Aconitum does not seem to have genuine psychoactive properties, it can have marked physiological effects (such as reducing the rate of the heartbeat) and may thus have contributed to the overall effects of such ointments.
It is also reported to cause the unusual feeling of having fur or feathers, which may well have been a highly desirable effect to witches seeking magical transformations into mammals and birds.
This curious form of tactile hallucination may have been used in shamanic cultures who were aware of the various properties of Aconitum intoxication.
It also features as one of the ingredients of a Taoist preparation called 'five mineral powder', developed by one He Yan, who stated that: 'When a person takes the five mineral powder, not only are illnesses healed, but the mind is also aroused and opened to clarity.' (reference 3)
As a hunting poison, Aconitum has been used in areas of Africa, Asia, Europe and the Americas. In places as far apart as Greece, Germany, India, Alaska and Japan.
Aconitum was venerated by the ancient Germanic peoples, who called it Thor's hat. Its fearsome reputation as a poison made it sacred to Hecate, the Greek goddess of sorcery and witchcraft.
Aconitum napellus, commonly known as wolfsbane, friar's hat and monkshood, was used as a poison in Roman times and its cultivation was restricted for this very reason.
References
reference 1 - the encyclopedia of psychoactive plants
reference 2 - shamanism and tantra in the himalayas
reference 3 - the encyclopaedia of psychoactive substances
Related Books Shamanism And Tantra In The Himalayas
Primarily about shamanism and various plants used for spiritual and medical purposes in the countries (Bhutan, China, India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Tibet) that surround the Himalayan mountain range in Asia. Not a lot of info about tantra.
Easy to understand text with hundreds of color photos. Several dozen black and white illustrations. Besides pictures of the plants and people being discussed, the book includes some full page (color) images of Hindu and Buddhist artwork. Beautiful book over 300 pages. Contains a half page of text about Aconitum ferox (a species of Aconitum) and several references to Aconitum.
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Very nice book and considering the subject matter, it's easy to understand. The botany, history, distribution, cultivation, preparation and dosage of more than 400 psychoactive plants. Over 900 pages with hundreds of black and white illustrations and full color photographs.
Information about almost every plant that has been used for medical, spiritual, or recreational purposes. Includes all the common and most of the less common plant drugs. This is the most thorough plant drug encyclopedia available at the present time. Contains eight pages of Aconitum info with several color and black and white images.
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Gives up the goods on well over 100 drugs, plants, and animals capable of altering mood and thought. Did you know there are species of hallucinogenic fish? That ants have been used in vision quests? That barbiturates were named for St. Barbara?
Not technical enough to bore the average reader, the book pulls together little-known facts from a variety of literature and produces cohesive, well-documented entries equally well suited to the student and the regular person interested in the subject. Contains information about Aconitum.
The Encyclopaedia of Psychoactive Substances