MONEYWORT MONKSHOOD ACONITUM NAPELLUS

MONEYWORT (Lysimachia nummularia L.) +

Activities (Moneywort) :
Antacid (f; EFS); Antibacterial (f; PH2); Antipyretic (f; EFS); Antiseptic (1; HHB); Antisialagogue (f; PH2); Astringent (f; EFS; PH2); Expectorant (f; PH2); Hemolytic (1; MAD); Vulnerary (f; EFS; PH2).

Indications (Moneywort) :
Arthrosis (f; HHB); Asthma (f; MAD); Bacteria (f; PH2); Bleeding (f; MAD); Cough (f; MAD; PH2); Dermatosis (f; PH2); Diarrhea (f; HHB; PH2); Dysentery (f; HHB; MAD); Eczema (f; PH2); Fever (f; EFS); Gout (f; HHB; MAD); Halitosis (f; MAD); Hemoptysis (f; MAD); Infection (1; HHB; PH2); Myalgia (f; MAD); Pain (f; HHB); Pulmonosis (f; MAD); Rheumatism (f; HHB); Scrofula (f; MAD); Sore (f; HHB; MAD); Tuberculosis (f; MAD); Ulcer (f; MAD); Varicosis (f; MAD); Wound (f; HHB).

Dosages (Moneywort) :
2 tsp herb/250 ml water, take 1 cup 2–3 ×/day (PH2).

Contraindications, Interactions, and Side Effects (Moneywort) :
Not covered (AHP). “Hazards and/or side effects not known for proper therapeutic dosages” (PH2).


MONKSHOOD (Aconitum napellus L.) X

There are 300 species in the poisonous monkshood genus, many containing the alkaloid aconitine, which imparts its activities to the herb. Aconite was long used in TAM, e.g., A. ferox; and TCM, e.g., A. carmichaelii, appearing later as a medicine in the Western world. Moerman mentions six species in North America, all used as poisons. Only Chinese A. carmichaelii was covered by AHP (1997).

Activities (Monkshood) :
Analgesic (1; FNF; PH2); Anesthetic (1; FNF; PH2); Antiinflammatory (1; FNF; PH2); Antineuralgic (1; BRU); Antipyretic (1; EFS; FNF); Antiseptic (f; PH2); Arrhythmigenic (1; FNF; PH2); Bradycardic (1; FNF; PH2); Cardiotonic (1; FNF; PH2); Cardiotoxic (1; FNF); Diaphoretic (1; EFS; FNF); Diuretic (f; EFS); Emetic (1; FNF); Hypotensive (1; FNF; PH2); Immunomodulator (f; FNF); Insecticide (1; FNF); Mydriatic (1; FNF); Narcotic (f; EFS); Paralytic (1; PH2); Pediculicide (f; FNF); Poison (1; PH2); Positive Inotropic (1; FNF; PH2); Sialagogue (f; FNF); Toxic (1; EFS).

Indications (Monkshood) :
Adenopathy (f; JLH); Anxiety (f; PH2); Arthrosis (f; PH2); Cancer (f; JLH); Cough (f; BRU); Dermatosis (f; PH2); Fever (1; EFS; FNF); Gastrosis (1; FNF); Gout (f; PH2); Headache (1; FNF; PH2); High Blood Pressure (1; FNF; PH2); Inflammation (1; FNF; PH2); Migraine (f; PH2); Mucososis (f; PH2); Myalgia (f; PH2); Neuralgia (1; FNF; PH2); Neurosis (f; PH2); Pain (1; FNF; PH2); Paralysis (f; PH2); Pericardosis (f; PH2); Respirosis (f; BRU); Rheumatism (f; PH2); Water Retention (f; EFS); Wound (f; PH2).

Dosages (Monkshood) :
0.1 g = average daily dose; 0.6 g = maximum daily dose (PH2).

Contraindications, Interactions, and Side Effects (Monkshood) :
Not covered (AHP; KOM). Commission E reports the herb and tuber are not permitted for therapeutic use. Usefulness is not documented adequately for most advocated uses (AEH). Use of the drug is risky and not recommended (PH2). Extremely toxic; can cause irregular heart beats, heart attack, and even death. Dangerous, even topically. To be avoided, especially by pregnant or nursing women. On Commission E list of unapproved herbs. “This means that it is not recommended for use because it has not been proven to be safe or effective” (ACS). Contains the toxic alkaloid aconitine (AEH). Aconitine first excites, then paralyzes peripheral nerve endings and the brain stem. It slows respiration and extinguishes atrial impulses within the A- V node. It parallels other neurotoxins (batrachotoxin, grayanotoxin), which act on the sodium channels and hinder repolarization. Between 1980 and 1984, there were 25 reported aconite murders in Sichuan China alone.