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Tall aconite is a plant shrouded in many legends, one of which says that it owes its appearance to the three-headed Cerberus. After Hercules lured him out of the kingdom of Hades, purple saliva flowed from the three mouths of the monster. At the site where it fell, a plant appeared that had both toxic and medicinal properties.
Description of the species
Tall aconite (Aconitum septentrionale), or Fighter, is a perennial plant belonging to the Buttercup family. Its ribbed and slightly pubescent stem reaches a height of 65 to 250 cm. The leaves of tall aconite are heart-shaped, divided, deeply palmate, with pubescence. Their length is 15 cm, width is 25 cm.
The plant forms an inflorescence in the form of a loose brush with gray-violet petals, irregularly cylindrical in shape with a spout. Tall aconite has another name - helmet. It is associated with the shape of the buds, similar to a helmet. The tops of the petals are fused, and the lower ones are folded in the form of a visor. The inflorescences look very powerful and militant, which is supported by strong peduncles and shoots.
The roots of the plant are long, strongly branched, with fused lobes.
Flowering of tall aconite continues from June to August, after which the fruits ripen, consisting of three leaflets with a large number of trihedral seeds. They fall off in the fall and germinate in early spring.
Borets is a frost-resistant plant that can tolerate temperatures from -40 ⁰С
Where and how does it grow
Tall aconite prefers moist soils of meadows and forest edges. The plant can be found on river banks, in ravines and in subalpine mountain meadows.
The northern wrestler is widespread in the European part of the Russian Federation from the Karelian Territory to the Ural Mountains. In Western and Eastern Siberia it grows in the forest and forest-tundra zones up to the Lena River.
The plant is often grown as an ornamental plant that grows quickly. With improper agricultural practices, tall aconite can grow wild and spread throughout the territory on its own. It can often be seen on the site of old abandoned houses, uncultivated areas and along roads.
Medicinal properties
Aconite is considered a poisonous plant because its chemical composition contains the aconitine alkaloid. In addition to being toxic, it has a therapeutic effect due to the presence of beneficial substances in its composition:
- micro- and macroelements;
- vitamins;
- tannins;
- fatty acids;
- flavonoids;
- starchy compounds;
- resins;
- sugars
Based on high aconite, preparations with medicinal properties are created:
- antibacterial;
- antipyretic;
- anti-inflammatory;
- painkillers;
- hemostatic;
- astringent;
- diuretic;
- calming;
- antispasmodic.
In official medicine, preparations based on aconite have long been used only for external use.In 1989, the drug Allapinin, which contains an alkaloid from the plant, was approved for widespread clinical use. The drug is used to treat cardiac arrhythmias.
Use in folk medicine
Aconite is a poisonous plant, so traditional healers who prepare medicines based on it subject the raw material to complex and lengthy processing (they boil it for a long time, changing the water several times).
To treat rheumatism, use a tincture of aconite roots, which is prepared from 100 g of raw materials and 1 liter of vodka. After 3 days, as soon as it acquires the color of strong tea, you can begin to rub in the liquid, using no more than 1 tsp at a time. facilities. It is recommended to follow a sequence - rub only one arm or leg per day, then cover it with a warm cloth for 2 hours.
In folk medicine, aconite is used as an immunomodulatory agent.
Ointment from the roots of aconite is used for radiculitis. To prepare it, 5 g of crushed raw materials are poured into 200 ml of olive oil. After thorough mixing, the product is heated in a water bath for 30 minutes. The resulting ointment is rubbed into the diseased areas of the body with light circular movements.
In folk medicine, tincture of aconite is used in the treatment of cancer. Therapy is carried out in courses according to a strict scheme, starting with a minimum amount (1 drop per dose), gradually increasing to 10, and again reducing to a minimum. After the course, take a break for a month and repeat again.
Restrictions and contraindications
The high content of poison in the composition of high aconite requires caution in the use of products prepared on its basis.
Contraindications for use include:
- allergic reactions to the plant;
- pregnancy and lactation;
- hypertension;
- age up to 18 years.
To avoid unwanted reactions, you should not combine drugs based on aconite high with alcohol, caffeine, menthol, nicotine, citric acid or glucose.
Symptoms of poisoning
The effect of the poison, which is high in aconite, is determined by its dose and the degree of impact on the center of the vagus nerve and on conductivity in peripheral neurons. The first symptoms of poisoning appear 30-60 minutes after entering the body. Their duration of action is up to 24-30 hours.
Symptoms of plant damage by toxin:
- The appearance of a burning sensation in the mouth.
- Increased salivation and drooling.
- Rapid development of nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
- Cardiac dysfunction - hypotension, tachyarrhythmia, bradycardia.
- Decreased sensitivity, lips and limbs become numb.
- Deterioration of vision, seeing everything around in green.
- The appearance of a burning sensation, crawling, muscle weakness.
All parts of aconite are used as medicine
Taking 5-6 g of aconite root can lead to impaired consciousness, seizures, partial paralysis and epileptic seizures. A dose of 5-18 g of plant root can be fatal for an adult.
First aid
If signs of poisoning with high aconite appear, it is necessary to call an ambulance and provide first aid to the victim:
- Give him about 1 liter of water to drink and, pressing on the root of his tongue, induce vomiting.
- Repeat several times until the stomach is completely cleansed, to “clean water”.
- As a saline laxative, dissolve 30 g of magnesium sulfate in half a glass of water and drink.
- If there is no laxative, you can give an enema by dissolving a teaspoon of shavings from baby or laundry soap in 1 glass of warm water.
- Drink 20-30 g of activated carbon mixed in warm water.
- Take a diuretic (1 tablet of furosemide, veroshpiron).
- Offer the victim to drink strong tea or coffee.
- Cover him with a blanket and cover him with heating pads.
Before the ambulance arrives, you need to monitor the poisoned person, monitor his pulse, breathing and blood pressure. If necessary, begin resuscitation measures.
Northern aconite as a garden plant
The visually spectacular aconite is a frost-resistant perennial and is used by gardeners as an ornamental plant, despite its toxicity. It can be grown in shaded areas where the soil is moist but well drained.
Tall aconite is planted in early spring or autumn. The pit is made spacious for the roots of the wrestler, and complex mineral fertilizer is added there. The root collar should be buried 2 cm into the ground. Leave a distance of 30 cm between the bushes.
Caring for plants is simple - loosening, weeding, watering in dry weather.
Tall aconite can be propagated by seeds, for which they are stratified first in the heat (30 days) and then in the cold (three months).After the seedlings grow, they are picked and planted in a permanent place in the fall. The first flowering of the plant will occur after 3 years.
Tall aconite is placed in single and group plantings. Due to its long flowering and beautiful rugged foliage, it remains decorative for a long time and serves as a decoration for the garden.
The wrestler reproduces exclusively by seeds
Conclusion
With careful handling and proper dosage, aconite can be beneficial in the treatment of a number of diseases. It is necessary to exercise caution when handling the plant, take timely measures to provide assistance in case of poisoning, and prevent children from coming into contact with it.
