Journal de pharmacognosie et de produits naturels

Indian Aconites: Boon or Bane?

Abstract

Selvam ABD

Aconites were widely recognized as deadly poisonous plants since ancient times and are used in various traditional systems of medicine such as Chinese, Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani, Tibetan medicine, etc. after eliminating the toxic effect through traditional methods and are also used in modern Homoeopathic and Allopathic systems. Aconitum ferox is known as Indian aconitum, which is seven times more poisonous than the Aconitum nepellus, the European aconitum. Further, Aconitum ferox is also known as ‘the king of poisons’ due to the presence of highly poisonous alkaloids in its roots. This article highlights the botanical/medicinal importance of Indian Aconties and their legal status for trade/export.