Ranunculaceae: a long lived, dark green, almost hairless perennial to 1.5m, of damp woodland, often beside streams. Bluish violet flowers, helmeted, in upright spikes, appearing from May-August. Deeply divided into palmate lobes. Very local, manly in the south and south-west. Native range covers most of Europe, including Britain, east to North Western Asia and the Himalayas.

USES:

Aconite has been used since ancient times, especially as an antidote to poisoning, since the entire plant is itself very toxic, however, any use should be under the guidance of a skilled practitioner. All parts of the plant are used medicinally. The root is the most important and this is harvested as soon as the plant dies down in the autumn and is dried before use. The other parts of the plant are less important and are used fresh, being harvested when the plant is coming into flower. The root is analgesic, anodyne, antirheumatic, diaphoretic, diuretic, irritant and sedative. Due to its poisonous nature, it is not normally used internally though it has been used in the treatment of fevers. Externally, it is applied to unbroken skin in the treatment of rheumatism, painful bruises, and neuralgia.

GROWING INFORMATION:

Thrives in most soils, but prefers a moist calcareous soil in sun or semi-shade. Plants will only thrive in a sunny position if the soil remains moist throughout the growing season. Seed is best sown in the autumn, but the seed can be stratified and sown in spring but will then be slow to germinate. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a cold frame for their first winter.

NOTE: I have found that Aconitum seeds will not germinate until they are exposed to temperatures below -7 °C.

HARVESTED:

APPROX. 50 SEEDS