The roots yield 0.79% of total alkaloids, of which atisin is 0.4%. Atisine is much less toxic than aconitine and
Aconitum violaceum Jacq. ex Stapf. 15
pseudoaconitine. (The inert character of the plant is well known to the hill people, who often use it as a vegetable.) The plant possesses potent immunostimulant properties.
Dosage Root—0.6—2.08 g. (API Vol. I.)
Aconitum laciniatum
(Bruhi) Stapf.
Family Ran unculaceae.
Habitat The sub-alpine and alpine Himalayas of Sikkim between
altitudes of 3,330 m and 4,200 m.
Ayurvedic Vatsanaabha (related
sp.).
Folk Kaalo Bikhmo.
Action Poisonous. (Found mixed with the roots of A. ferox and A. spicatum of commerce.)
Aconitum luridum
Hook. f. and Thoms.
Family Ranunculaceae.
Habitat The Himalayas from eastern Nepal to Chumbi at altitudes of 3,600 to 4,200 m.
Ayurvedic Vatsanaabha (related sp.).
Action As potent as Aconitumferox.
Aconitum palmatum D. Don.
Synonym A. bisma (Buch.-Ham.) Rap aics.
Family Ranunculaceae.
Habitat The alpine Himalayas of Sikkim, Nepal, the adjoining parts of southern Tibet, between altitudes of 3,000 m and 4,800 m.
Ayurvedic Prativishaa, Shyaamkandaa, Patis.
Folk Bikhamaa.
Action Root—antiemetic, antidiarrhoeal, antirheumatic, antiperiodic.
The root contains diterpenoid aLkaloids and a nitrogenous non-alkaloid compound, benzamide. Alkaloids include vakognavine, palmatisine, vakatisine, vakatisinine and vakatidine.
The root is intensely bitter, like quinine, is used with Piper longum for diarrhoea and vomiting; used
