The Poison Queen or Wolf’s Bane are nicknames for the Aconitum flower, which contains deadly toxins that can paralyze muscles, disrupt heart rhythms, and cause death in humans.
The Aconitum flower has many varieties, commonly Aconitum napellus and Aconitum fortunei. Among them, Aconitum napellus typically grows in the mountainous regions of Europe, while Aconitum fortunei can be found in the mountainous areas of Hà Giang and Lào Cai (Sa Pa) in Vietnam and many other locations.
Mature plants are about 1 meter tall, with leaves that are 5-10 cm in diameter divided into 5-7 parts, and flowers that are dark purple or slightly green, resembling a narrow, elongated helmet. Because of its flower shape, Aconitum is also called “the monk’s headscarf.”
The Aconitum flower contains a range of highly toxic chemicals such as aconitine, mesaconitine, hypaconitine, and jesaconitine. If leaves are harvested without gloves, aconitine can easily penetrate the skin.
The poison in the Aconitum plant is most concentrated in its fruits, and even the petals and nectar contain toxins. Exposure to Aconitum poison can cause numbness in the limbs, nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and arrhythmia; sufficient doses can be fatal.
Legend has it that during the ancient Greek period, shepherds used the poison from the Aconitum plant to coat their arrows to kill wolves. This is why this flower is also known as Wolf’s Bane.
During the ancient Roman Empire, the poison from the Aconitum plant was used to combat criminals and enemies. In Europe, this may be one of the most beautiful yet poisonous flowers, earning it the title “Poison Queen.”
As little as 20 – 40 ml of Aconitum poison can cause poisoning leading to death within 2 – 6 hours of exposure. Higher doses can cause immediate death. The poison from Aconitum has also been used by Eskimos to hunt whales. Even the Nazis used Aconitum poison to make toxic ammunition.
Despite containing deadly toxins, Aconitum is used as a medicinal herb in the preparation of medicines for heart treatment, anti-inflammatory purposes, and for massage during limb and joint aches.
Aconitum is an extremely toxic plant. Both humans and animals can suffer severe poisoning if they accidentally consume this plant. Besides its toxic properties, only experienced practitioners should use products derived from Aconitum, and only after proper preparation.
In traditional Chinese medicine, the root parts of the plant are commonly used for medicinal preparation. Aconitum has very high thermal properties, making it suitable for treating cold-related illnesses and digestive issues. Aconitum shares properties similar to some stimulants. Additionally, it is included in certain medicinal formulations such as: Aconite, Trắc tử, and Thiên hùng.
The fresh root is commonly referred to as Aconitum, while the processed root is called Fuzi.