What Is Aconitum?

Aconitum carmichaeli Debx. Is a plant of the family Ranunculaceae. The root is called aconite. Lateral roots (children's roots) are used as medicine, called aconite. It has the effects of returning to the sun, expelling cold, and removing rheumatism. Treatment of sweating and dying sun, limbs inversion, cholera tendons, kidney and kidney weakness, waist and knee cold pain, cold and cold, loss of energy, as well as rheumatism, beriberi and other symptoms. ^[1]

Tao Hongjing, a great medical scientist in the Liang Dynasty in the Northern and Southern Dynasties, has pointed out: "Aconite and aconite have the same roots. Aconite is harvested in August, ... Aconite is harvested in April."

Huangshan Aconitum (variant) scaring the tiger (Tianmushan, Zhejiang)

Differences from Aconitum: The leaf texture is thin, grassy, the top of the central full lobes is tapered or long, and the small lobes are narrow; the inflorescence axis is very short, so the inflorescences often resemble umbrellas.

Distributed in northeast Jiangxi, northwest Zhejiang, and southern Anhui (Huangshan). 1,000 meters above sea level.

The roots are used for medicinal purposes, to treat the symptoms of bruises, unknown swelling and poison, and can also be used as arrow poison (Zhejiang Tianmushan Medicinal Plant History). ^[2]

Aconitum carmichaeli (var.) Caowu (Zhejiang)

Difference from Aconitum: inflorescence axis and pedicel have spreading pilose. The central lobes of the leaves are rhombic, and the tips are acute.

Distributed in northern Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Shandong, and southern Liaoning. Health mountain grass slope, forest edge or thicket. Type specimens were collected from Qingdao, Shandong.

"Zhejiang Tianmu Mountain Medicinal Plant History" Volume 1, Figure 201 is a picture of aconite in Huangshan, for reference.

Aconitum trifoliata (var.) Dawuya (Yanmao, Gansu), Wuyao, Caowan (Shaanxi)

Difference from Aconitum: Stems and leaves are densely pubescent. The leaves of the central entire lobes are acute.

Produces southeast of Gansu and southwest of Shaanxi. Health mountain grass slope. ^[2]

Deep-splitting aconite (variant)

Difference from Aconitum: Palmately divided leaves do not reach the base, to 0.5-1.5 cm from the base. The leaves of the central entire lobes are acute.

Produced in Nanjing, Jiangsu and Jurong area. Health mountain grass slopes, pine forests or thickets. ^[2]