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Aconitum heterophyllum - Wall.

Common Name
Family Ranunculaceae
USDA hardiness 5-9
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].
Habitats Usually found on humus-rich soils in the alpine and subalpine zones, and in forests, 2300 - 2900 metres[145, 243].
Range E. Asia - W. Himalayas.
Edibility Rating    (1 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (2 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Aconitum heterophyllum


Aconitum heterophyllum

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
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.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant 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].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
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.

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Thrives in most soils and in the light shade of trees[1]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Prefers a moist soil in sun or semi-shade[200]. Prefers a calcareous soil. Grows well in open woodlands[1, 4]. The roots of this plant are extensively collected from the wild for medicinal use and the species is becoming much rarer in many areas of its range[272]. Members of this genus seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits and deer[233]. A greedy plant, inhibiting the growth of nearby species, especially legumes[54].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

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Plant Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[111]. The seed can be stratified and sown in spring but will then be slow to germinate[133]. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a cold frame for their first winter. Plant them out in late spring or early summer. Division - best done in spring but it can also be done in autumn[1, 111]. Another report says that division is best carried out in the autumn or late winter because the plants come into growth very early in the year[233].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

TROPICAL ASIA: India (Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh (north)), Nepal, Pakistan (northeast)

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Aconitum balfourii Perennial0.0 -  LMHSNM01 
Aconitum carmichaeliiJapanese Aconite, Carmichael's monkshoodPerennial1.5 3-7  LMHSNM02 
Aconitum chasmanthum Perennial0.5 -  LMHSNM01 
Aconitum chinense Perennial1.2 5-9  LMHSNM01 
Aconitum columbianumColumbian monkshoodPerennial0.2 0-0  LMHSNM011
Aconitum delphinifolium Perennial0.2 -  LMHFSM011
Aconitum dienorrhizum Perennial0.0 -  LMHSNM01 
Aconitum feroxIndian aconitePerennial1.0 5-9  LMHSNM01 
Aconitum fischeriFischer monkshoodPerennial0.0 0-0  LMHSNM01 
Aconitum gammiei Perennial0.6 -  LMHSNM01 
Aconitum hemsleyanum Perennial1.5 4-8  LMHSNM01 
Aconitum japonicum Perennial1.0 4-8  LMHSNM02 
Aconitum koreanumKorean Monk's HoodPerennial1.5 -  LMHSNM10 
Aconitum kusnezoffiiBei Wu TouPerennial1.5 5-9  LMHSNM01 
Aconitum lycoctonumWolfsbanePerennial1.0 3-7  LMHSNM11 
Aconitum lycoctonum vulpariaWolfbanePerennial1.0 3-7  LMHSNM11 
Aconitum maximumKamchatka aconitePerennial0.2 0-0  LMHSNM001
Aconitum mokchangense  0.0 -  LMHSNM10 
Aconitum multifidum Perennial1.0 5-9  LMHSNM10 
Aconitum napellusAconite, Venus' chariot, Wolfsbane Garden, Monk's Hood GardenPerennial1.5 3-8  LMHSNM12 
Aconitum orientale Perennial1.5 5-9  LMHSNM01 
Aconitum palmatum Perennial0.0 -  LMHSNM01 
Aconitum rotundifolium Perennial0.5 -  LMHSNM10 
Aconitum septentrionale Perennial0.0 -  LMHSNM10 
Aconitum uncinatumWild Monkshood, Southern blue monkshoodPerennial1.0 5-9  LMHSNM01 
Aconitum violaceum Perennial0.0 5-9  LMHSNM11 
Aconitum volubile Perennial Climber2.0 -  LMHSNM11 

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Author

Wall.

Botanical References

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Links / References

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Readers comment

Prabhat Kumar Mukhia   Fri May 20 04:41:27 2005

Thanks. It is good source of information from your invaluable site.

This plant is also found quite abundant in Bhutan's Spruce and Fir Forest zones. Regarding this species please contact Mr. Tshitila, Research Officer, RNRRC Yusipang, CORE MoA, Thimphu BHUTAN, E-mail: [email protected] Phone # 00975 2 321602 or 321603 Fax # 00975 2 321601

Link: pragya.org Development without Destruction Empowerment for Enabling Choices

Jitendra S. Butola   Sat Apr 8 2006

I was seeking information on Aconitum heterophyllum. It is known as panacea in Ayurveda. Thanks to your website I got all those informations which I need to write my thesis on this plant. Jitendra S. Butola, GB Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment and Development, Himalchal Unit, Mohal-Kullu, Himachal Pradesh, India

Dr. Kamalkant Shatree(Bambhania)   Wed Jan 10 2007

Dear Sir, As it is very useful plant in ayurveda medicine. There is a requirement of its systemic cultivation and farming for standerdized raw material. Can I have few addresses of its suppliers. Thanks Dr. Kamalkant

www.shreedevnarayan.com

   Thu Jan 29 2009

it is use in unani medicine

Ashish Nagar   Wed Apr 8 2009

Dear sir, I am Ashish Nagar, persuing Ph.D in Phytopharmaceuticals. I want to know the procedure of extraction of A. heterophyllum and want to about avability of marker compounds of Aconitum heterophyllum from alcoholic extract. Please send information as soon as possible. Thanks Contact e-mail : [email protected]

   Mon Nov 16 2009

Dear Sir, I am a farmer in the Himalyas and would be interested to know the commercial value of this plant as its growth is encouraged by our state government

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