Aconitum Pollination

Pollination
For flower-visiting insects, it is not easy to get to the nectar of the monkshood plant. Only the garden bumble langrüsseligen succeeds thanks to a very long proboscis. The monkshood plants are therefore typical bumblebee flowers. The mutual adaptation of bumblebees and monkshood blossom is so complete that the distribution of Monkshood plants with the garden and especially the bumble Eisenhut Hummel (Bombus gerstaeckeri) coincide.

Herb / health risk
The monkshood species are the most poisonous plants in Europe. In most countries where Eisenhut occurs, even stories are handed down, indicating the toxicity of this plant. Thus, in the Chinese and Indian literature often mentions the use of aconite with poisoned arrows. Similar to the Blue Eisenhut in Europe knows the history of Chinese killings that were done with the help of monkshood plants. Asked that the wife of the General Huo Guang Chinese have tried to bring her daughter into the favorite role by the Empress poisoned with aconite extract. This tradition is not torn down until today. Between 1980 and 1984 was only in the Chinese province of Sichuan, 72 deaths were due to aconite. Of these 35 murders, 16 cases in persons Eisenhut used to commit suicide and 21 cases was traced back to unfortunate confusion. Similar evidence is from Hong Kong, where 1989-1993 35 poisoning cases reported and caused by dosing errors in the preparation of traditional Chinese medicine. In many countries where Eisenhut occurs, it is a traditional means of poisoning of wild animals such as wolves, bears and rodents.

The different Aconitum species contain toxic diterpene alkaloids that are found in all plant parts. In the native and cultivated species in Europe, mainly the alkaloids aconitine, Benzoylnaponin, Hypaconitin, Lycaconitin and Neopellin, and the amino alcohols Aconin, Napellin, Neolin Lycoctonin and are detectable. In addition, some species still included in isoquinoline alkaloids or catecholamines. The toxicity of a single plant is of site conditions and genetic factors.

The aconitine is absorbed by the intact skin and mucous membranes. In zarthäutigen people may even lead to nettle rash. In homeopathy are used principally the roots which have a very high potency. These are the basis of some medicines used to treat

* Heart Disorders (stenocardia), and for
* Flu-like infections,
* Particularly the trigeminal neuralgia, as well as
* Pericarditis.

In addition to the traditional Chinese medicine, homeopathy uses the Eisenhut. He is there as a remedy for colds and fevers, as well as anxiety and fear of death.
Source: http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aconitum

See Also: Sending Flowers, Online Florist