Aconitum Napellus

Name: Mann Homeopathy Clinic Rajkot
Price range: $

You are here:

The Aconitum Napellus:

Memory Tips for Mental Symptoms

Hi Friends Let’s memorize guiding symptoms of Aconite Napellus through name of Medicine ‘ACONITUM’.

Anxiety of mind and Anxiety of body

The anxiety of Aconite pt.is due to the internal turmoil and hence the pt. is
This anxiousness of the mind is evidenced by her intellectual tension which is reflected as great acuteness of all her senses.
In the mental sphere this hyperactivity is specially evidenced as she gets vexed at trifles.
In the physical sphere it is evidenced as slight bearable pain to her becomes unbearable she jumps in agony, a state of hyperesthesia. Dr. Hering said due to this mental anxiety he is agonized and tossing about.
Note: Fear of future and forebodings also characterizes this anxiety. [1]

Calmness contraindicates Aconite

Guernsey said, ‘Mental calmness contraindicates Aconite. (Chamo. -indicates, Puls.).
Thus, whenever Aconite will be the drug of choice, there must be the mental uneasiness, mental restlessness, worry, anxiety and great fear, otherwise it is contraindicated. [1]

Overwhelming fear:

It is one of our leading remedies having different characteristic types of fear.
It has got not that type of fear viz., fear of poverty like Bryonia. fear of thunder like Phos.; fear of dogs like Bell: fear of approach like Arnica. fear of being alone like Ars. Arg Nit.; but it has got that characteristic fear, that is fear of death with prediction of day and time of death.
Tyler said, fear of death may be so great, that people have actually killed themselves for fear of dying.
Hence Aconite. has got fear of death (Ars.’, Calc. Carb.’, Cimicifuga, Gels.’, Lac Can.’, Nit. Ac.’, Phos., Platina¹) (Ref. Kent’s Repertory) but the characteristic is pt. predicts the day: even the time of death, i. e., the clairvoyance.
Master Kent said, many times the pt. actually predicts the moment or hour of death; if a clock is in the pt.’s room, she may say, that when the hour hand reaches a certain point, she will be a corpse. Dr. Tyler said, it is Aconite pt. who calls her friends around her and takes leave of them. Fear of death is such an important feature. Dr. Farrington said that prediction of hour of the death esp. in childbed is also found in it and can be bracketed with Argentum Nit. and Coffea.

Besides this:

(a) fear of darkness (Can. Ind^.1, Stramo¹, Acon ²., Calc. C ²., Camph^.2, Carb. An², Carb. Veg², Caust², Cup², Lyco ^2,Phos ², Puls ².)
(b) fear of bed (Acon ², Ars ², Caust², Cup ², Lach ²)
(c) fear of ghost (Acon², Ars ², C.V², Caust ², Lyco ², Phos², Puls², Sulph ².)
(d) fear of going out, fear of crowd (Acon. ¹, Arg. N ², Lyco ^2, Nat. Mur ², Nux Vom ², Puls ²).

Note:

Dr. Nash said, ‘fear to go into society- Anthropophobia.

(e) fear of death in pregnancy (Acon.³).
(f) fear of approaching death (Arg. Nit., Ars., Cimic., Nit. Ac. Secale Cor.) (Ref. Cowperthwaite).
(g) fears the loss of reason-leading to mental prostration with weakness of memory, cannot remember dates. (Ref.Dr. Talcott’s Mental diseases). [1]

Nash’s trio of restless and Nash’s trio of pain- killers.

Aconite is one of the Nash’s trios of restless medicines.
Aconite is mentally restless, whereas Rhus Tox. Is physically restless and Arsenic is restless both mentally and physically thus the trio: Acon., Ars. Alb., and Rhus Tox.
E. B. Nash said, fear, as much as the pain that makes the pt. so full of that agonized restlessness.
N. M. Chowdhury said, the impatience and anxiety makes the pt. restless. She throws herself about and cons tantly changes the position. The true reason of this restless ness is to be found in a state of internal turmoil and anxiety and agony. She moans and laments, screams and shouts, not knowing what to do and how to find consolation.
In such a case of mental restlessness, Aconite will be the drug of choice-give her drug-it will cure. [1]

Ignatia like hysterical

Aconite patient is also inclined to be hysterical. (Caust¹, Gels 1, Ign ¹, Lach ^1,Nat Mur ¹, Nit. Ac ¹, Nux Vom’, Puls.’, Sep., Sil¹).
N. M. Chowdhury said, great variation of mood and temperament. She is cheerful this minute, weeps the next. She is sad and taciturn now but gay and loquacious the next moment.
Master Kent said, sometimes Aconite pt. loses all her affection, which leads to a state of indifference-this state is also characterized by hysterical mood.
Talcott said pt. moves from dry anguish to exuberant tears. [1]

Tension is the key-note

Dr. Huge said, tension is the key note of Aconite pt.(-Congestion is the keynote of Bell.).

This tension is mentally evidence by intense restlessness, inconsolable anxiety, acute imagination and fears. [1]

Uncommon peculiar sensations

It has got some peculiar sensations. viz.,

a) All the intellectual functions are going on in the region of the stomach.
b) Some parts of the body are deformed e.g., a limb is displaced, lips are too thick. (Ref. Farrington). [1]

Music makes her sad

Music is unbearable for Aconite pt.; it makes her sad (Acon ², Graph ², Dig ², Kreos ², Nat.C ², Thuja ²)
(-music > Aurum ¹, Tarent. ¹).

Note. 1:

Countenance:

Master Kent has pointed to note the countenance of Aconite, which is expressive of fear. Fear is depicted upon her countenance.

Note. 2:

Kent reported that every mental condition is marked by intensity. If it is a delirium, thence it is intense; – thus
Dr. Farrington said the intensity of these symptoms denotes overexcitement of brain, common enough to intense patients.

Note. 3:

Master Kent said, this type of mental picture is always present in pneumonia, inflammatory conditions of any part, or kidney, liver, bowels etc.

Note. 4:

In case of female’s amenorrhoea in plethoric young girls after fright is a marked feature.

Note. 5:

Our immortal Master Hahnemann said ‘whenever Aconite is chosen homeopathically, you must above all, observe the moral symptoms, and be careful that it closely resembles them; the anguish of mind and body: the restlessness: the disquiet not to be allayed’.

Note. 6:

Master Kent said even congestion of parts as a result of fear. A turmoil affecting the whole sensorium. [1]

Memory Tips for Guiding Symptoms

Hi Friends Let’s memorize mental symptoms of Aconite Napellus through name of Medicine ‘Friday Saturday ‘.

Fear

Great fear and anxiety of mind with great nervous excitability is the characteristic of Acon. patient.
Afraid to go out, to go into a crowd where there is any excitement of many people.
It has got fear of death in acute disease, fear of darkness (Caust.), fear of ghost, fear to cross the street (Arg. Nit.), fear to cross a bridge, fear of death in pregnancy. Fear of future. Fear of the fright remains (Op. Stramo.).
Life is rendered miserable for Acon. patient due to fear.
He is sure his disease will prove fatal, predicts the day and moment of death. [1]

Restlessness:

patient is restless, anxious, does everything in a great haste, must change position often, everything startles him.
It is one of the Nash’s trios of restless medicines (others being Arsenic & Rhus tox).
is restless mentally
(-Rhus Tox. is restless physically. Arsenic is restless both physically & mentally).
patient is impatient and his impatience makes him restless (Ref. Dr. N. M. Chowdhury).
Aconite pains are intolerable. It is also one of the Nash’s trio of greatest pain remedy (others are Chamomilla and Coffea).
They drive him reckless, patient becomes restless at night, due to this pain, with agony and mental anxiety. Our immortal Master Hahnemann says, “Whenever Aconite is chosen homeopathically you must, above all, observe the moral symptoms, and be careful that it closely resembles them, the anguish of mind and body, the rest less ness, the disquiet not to be allayed.”

Note:

It is interesting to note that Master Kent in his Repertory classed Acon. in first grade, under sub-rubric, aversion to motion (Acon.’, Ars.’, Bell.’, Bry.’, Calc.¹, Lach. ¹, Nux Vom.’, Ruta.’, Sil.’, Sulph.’, Baryta ², CarboVeg ², China ² Gels ², Graph ², Lyco², Nat. Mur ², Thuja.²). [1]

I

Intensity of action:

is indicated in the first stage of any acute disease which starts suddenly and violently like a storm.
Kent says that the patient seems to be threatened with a sudden and violent death, but recovery is quick. So, as was observed by Dr. Dunhum, it is like a great storm. Dunham’s discussion of this remedy in his Materia Media is very poetical. It has got no periodicity, nor any wave (Ref. Tyler).

Note 1 : Acon. is the acute of Sulphur and both precedes and follows it in acute inflammatory conditions.
Note 2: Acon. is the drug for the congestive stage of inflammation before localization takes place (Ref. Nash). [1]

D

Dry and hot Skin

Dry and hot skin with rare sweat (Nash).
There is drenching sweat, especially on parts laid on. (Master Kent in his Repertory classed, ‘perspiration on the affected parts. Ambra.’, Ant. T ¹, Merc.’, Rhus Tox. ¹). which relieves (Boericke) (Nat.Mur, Psor.), (Master Kent in his Repertory said, symptoms ameliorate while sweating. Bry., Cup.’, Gels.’, Nat. Mur ¹, Rhus Tox ¹, Acon ², Ars ², Chamo ², Graph ², Lach ², Hep ², Thuja², Verat ²).

Note: Cold sweat, icy coldness of face may be observed in Acon. patient. It is mostly found in febrile condition. [1]

A

Aggravation & Amelioration

<in the evening.
<at night.
<in the warm room
>by uncovering
>in the open air. (Alum., Mag.C., Puls., Sab.). [1]

Y

Yielding ailments

Acon. diseases caused by exposure to dry cold air (Ars. Chamo., Camph., Caust., Rumex., Sil., Hepar., Psor., China.), dry north or west wind or exposure to draught of cold air, bad effects of checked perspiration (Bellis., Dulc., Rhus Tox., Baryta Carb.), fear, fright, shock, heat of the sun, excitement, injury, surgical operation etc. [1]

Note. 1: Paralysis from exposure to dry cold wind (acute effect) (-chronic effect, Caust.).

Note. 2: Master Kent said, complaints come on suddenly from the very cold weather of winter or from the intense hot weather of summer.

S

Sanguine temperament with sedentary life

It is generally indicated in acute or recent cases occurring in young persons, especially girls of a full, plethoric habit who lead a sedentary life; persons easily affected by atmospheric changes, dark hair and eyes, rigid muscular fibre and of sanguine temperament (quick in action and perception). [1]

A

Active hemorrhage

It has got active hemorrhage from any part of the body both internal and external; uterus or other places in stout plethoric patients.
The character of the blood is pure, and bright red, accompanied by fear of death and nervous excitability. [1]
(Master Kent classed Acon. under second grade, in the rubric, hemorrhage under generalities, Acon ², Bell ¹, Calc¹, Carbo Veg ¹, China¹, Crot¹, Fer ¹, Ham¹, Ipec ¹, Lach¹, Merc Cor ¹, Mill ¹, Nat. Mu ¹., Nit. Ac ¹, Nux Vom ¹, Phos¹, Puls ¹, Sabina 1, Sec¹, Sulph¹, Apis ², Arg. N², Bry², Chamo ², Dulc², Graph ², Psor ², Rhus Tox ², Sil², Tril ²).

T

Tension

Huge says “Tension” is the key-note of Aconite patient (-key-note of Belladonna is congestion).
Due to irritation of mind and affection of circulation, tension always prevails in Acon. patient.
N. B. Aconite causes turmoil in circulation, Belladonna causes turmoil in brain and Chamomilla cause turmoil in temperament. These three are the Dr. CLARKE’S A.B.C. of nurseries.

U

Unquenchable thirst

Unquenchable thirst for large quantity of cold water is the characteristic symptom of Acon.
Everything tastes bitter except water (Kent) (Stan.).
N.B. Desire for bitter things (Dig., Nat.M., Tereb.) (Ref. Lippe). [1]

R

Red face becomes pale

The face of Aconite is red or red and pale alternately anxious & frightened expression.
Sensation of face growing or swelling on rising from a recumbent position, the red face becomes deathly pale or he becomes faint or giddy and falls, and he fears to rise again, often accompanied by vanishing of sight and unconsciousness. It is mostly found in febrile condition. (1)

Introduction

Aconite Napellus Introduction

Hi Friends, Now we describing Drug picture of Aconite.

Common name :

Monk Hood
Wolf’s Bane

Synonyms :

Latin: Aconitum, Angustifolium

English: Friar’s Cap, Helmet flower

Family / Group / Class / Order :

Ranunculaceae family
Vegetable Kingdom

Habit and habitat / Description :

Europe
It is usually known by its characteristics, benumbing taste, due to its alkaloid ACONITINE; this is, however, less noticeable in the tincture prepared from the fresh green plant than in that prepared from the dried root. (2)

Name of prover :

Samuel Hahnemann (1805)

Introduction and history :

The name Aconitum is derived from a Greek word, which means ‘without soil’ as the plant grows on stony hard rock.
Napellus is a Latin word, which means a little turnip (the shape of root).
It is also called Monk’s hood because of the shape of its flowers, which turn over and give the appearance of a hood thrown over the head.
The name is also said to originate from Aconis, a city of Bithynia (in Asia Minor) and Napus means a turnip, from the shape of its roots.
In 1762, Baron Stoerck, a Viennese physician introduced Aconite to medicine.
In 1805, Dr. Hahnemann introduced it to homeopathy. This remedy belongs to the cardiac irritant group.
It is a very acute, short acting remedy.
All complaints come suddenly and violently and go away in the same manner.
It is the first remedy to be thought of in inflammation.
Dr Clarke mentioned ‘If Cinchona was the Newton’s apple of homeopathic discovery, Aconite is the remedy by which Dr Hahnemann was able to meet most of the conditions which, in his days were treated by bloodletting.
This deadly poisonous drug affects every system as well as the organs of the body, so also the heart.
This drug causes functional disturbance and the key word which stands to describe this drug is tension.
This drug covers most of the acute as well as chronic complaints relating to the cardiovascular system.(5)

Doctrine of signature :

Aconite has several indications for its use, but the one that relates to the Doctrine of Signatures is ‘ailments from cold wind’.
It is a go-to remedy at the first sign of any inflammation, but if the symptom picture arose as a result of exposure to a cold wind, you can almost rest assured that Aconite is your remedy.
Take a look at a picture of Monkshood flower and observe how the purple ‘hood’ of the petals surround and look as if they are protecting the center of the flower.
Imagine yourself (or yourself as a monk dressed in purple robes) outside on a cold night, with wind whipping about your head.
This is the Doctrine of Signatures – Mother Nature literally ‘shows’ us, with her beautiful, awe-inspiring design, the medicinal purpose for several of the members of her floral pharmacy.
Now, regardless of the fact that I do own a purple jacket with a hood, the next time the winter winds up in Boulder Heights are clocking 100mph, as they did last week, I will be reaching for my hood, and my dear friend Aconitum Napellus. (6)

Parts used :

Fresh root, flowers and leaves.

Active principles :

This drug contains acotinine, neopelline, aconine, ephedrine, aconitic and succinic acid.
The main alkaloid is ‘aconitine’.
The properties of aconite are mainly those of aconitine – extremely poisonous and narcotic.
It also contains calcium and plenty of starch,
Hypaconitine, mesaconitine and neoline.

Preparation :

Mother tincture from the entire plant except the root, and dilutions. U.S.P., Extractum Aconiti. Fluid extractum Aconiti.(5)

Constitution

Constitution of Aconite

Physical make up :

It is a short acting remedy; suits people leading a sedentary life.
Suits persons who are strong, robust, plethoric, sanguine, have dark hair and eyes and are with rigid muscular fibre.(5)

Temperament :

Sanguine Temperament (5), Nervous, Choleric (9)

Diathesis :

Scrofulous diathesis (5)

Relation with heat & cold :

Neither chilly nor hot, but seems to be hot (5)

Miasm :

Psoric (5)

Clinical

Clinical Features of Aconite

Clinical conditions

In Homeopathy Aconite Napellus medicine use by Homeopathic Doctors in treatment of following Disease Conditions

Angina pectoris, Anxiety disorders, Bell’s palsy, Cerebral accidents, Colds, Conjunctivitis, Cystitis, Facial neuralgia, Gastritis, Influenza, Injury, Labour, Myocardial infarction, Orchitis, Otitis media, Panic disorders, Pneumonia, Shock, Tonsillitis, Toothache, Urinary retention or hemorrhage.
Aconite is the acute of Sulphur – both precedes, follows it well in acute inflammatory conditions. (4)

Sites of action / Pharmacodynamics

Mind, brain, cerebrospinal nervous system, mucous and serous membranes, heart, cardiovascular system and blood. (5)

Causation (Causes / Ailments from)

A/F; Cause: Fear, fright, shock, Chill, dry cold weather, -Heat especially of sun, Injury, surgical shock, Draught of cold air, Checked perspiration, very hot weather (G.I.T.)(4)

Physiological action

i)Heart: a) Inhibitory paralysis, b) Blood pressure lessened.

ii) Circulation: Vaso-motor paralysis.

iii) Temperature: Depressed with diaphoresis.

iv) C. N. S.: Motor paralysis.

v) Mucous Membranes: Asthenic inflammation.

vi) Stomach: a) Emesis. b) Congestion, c) Neuralgia

vii) Lungs: a) Centric vagi paralysis, b) Congestion, c) Inflammation.

viii) Tendons and fibrous tissues: Rheumatoid inflammation.

ix) Serous membranes: Plastic inflammation.(4)

Patho-physiological changes / Pathogenesis:

It is an antipyretic, diaphoretic and diuretic.
The principal action of this drug takes place through the cerebrospinal nervous system.
The drug produces inhibitory paralysis of the heart resulting in reduction of blood pressure.
The arterioles are contracted.
Aconite is depressant to the heart and cerebrospinal nervous system when taken in higher physiological doses.
It on the cardiovascular system.
Pulse becomes very slow and death may occur due to respiratory failure. Heart’s action initially slows down, but later it becomes rapid and weak.
It acts on the nerves and skin. At first it causes a burning and tingling sensation on the entire body along with a feeling of coldness, as if ice water circulated instead of blood.
It causes vasomotor paralysis, lowers the temperature of the body and causes diaphoresis.
It acts on the cerebrospinal nervous system, producing sensations of numbness and complete motor paralysis.
Due to the paralysis of capillaries, it leads to congestion and tension which culminates into inflammation. (5)

Mental symptoms

Characteristic mental symptoms (psychology) of Aconite

GREAT FEAR, ANXIETY, and worry accompany every ailment, however trivial.
Delirium is characterized by unhappiness, worry, fear, raving, rarely unconsciousness.
FOREBODINGS AND FEARS. FEARS DEATH but believes that he will soon die; predicts the day. FEARS THE FUTURE, a crowd, crossing the street.
RESTLESSNESS, tossing about.
Tendency to start.
Imagination acute, clairvoyance.
Pains are intolerable; they drive him reckless.
Music is unbearable; makes her sad. [Ambra.]
Thinks his thoughts come from the stomach that parts of his body are abnormally thick. Feels as if what had just been done was a dream. (4)

Guiding Symptoms

Guiding Symptoms of Aconite

A-Anguish of mind, Anguish of body (Ref. Master Hahnemann).

C-Calmness contra-indicates Aconite.

O-Onset is sudden and violent.

N-Nash’s trio of restless medicines, Nash’s trio of pain killers.

I-Inter-action of Anxiety, Worry, Fear (Those accompanies the most trivial ailments.)

T-Thirst for large quantities of cold water.

E-Exposure to dry cold air.

Exposure to dry north or west winds.

Exposure to draughts of cold air, while in a perspiration.(8)

Generalities Aconite Napellus i.e.

Malaise, feebleness, muscular prostration.
Twitching and convulsions over whole body.
Heaviness as of lead all over body.

Head Aconite Napellus i.e.

Vertigo and confusion, with ringing in ears, falls almost immediately.
With giddiness, dimness of vision, and muscular weakness, Fullness in the head, with noises in the ears.
Head and face ache, often darting pains in face, sometimes accompanied by vomiting, (Hemicrania cured).
Weight about head, unable to hold it up.

Eye Aconite Napellus i.e.

Strained feeling in eyes.
Pupils dilated (both from internal and external use).
Complete blindness, accompanying dilatation of pupils, sight returning when pupils contract.
Vision hazy, with giddiness and nausea, Pupils insensible to light.

Ears of Aconite Napellus i.e.

Sense of pressure in ears, Roaring in ears.
Complete deafness.

Nose of Aconite Napellus i.e.

SMELL ACUTELY SENSITIVE.
PAIN AT ROOT OF NOSE.
Coryza; much sneezing; throbbing in nostrils Haemorrhages of bright red blood.
MUCOUS MEMBRANE DRY, NOSE STOPPED UP; DRY OR WITH BUT SCANTY WATERY CORYZA.

Face of Aconite Napellus i.e.

Fullness in cheeks and temples gradually changing to painful sense of tension, formication, and prickling. Face tense and swollen.
Creeping in face and forearms. Peculiar drawing, stretching, pressing sensation in cheeks, upper jaws, forehead, in short, through whole tract of trigeminus, increasing by degrees in intensity, alternating with actual pain, which, at first occasional and fugitive, finally became steady and severe Pain at temple and along course of supraorbital nerve.
Darting pains in face accompanied by vomiting Beginning in fingers, then in face, tonic contractions, trismus, after a while clonic convulsion over whole body Eyes closed, lips dry and fissured, tongue stiff, felt chilly and as if dying, breathing became rattling, moaning, quick. Facies Hippocratic.

Mouth of Aconite Napellus i.e.

Burning on tip of tongue and lips.
Burning, constricting, acrid, dry sensation in mouth and fauces. Tongue stiff.
Taste disagreeable and disgustingly bitter.
Taste completely lost. Taste impaired, teeth more sensitive when biting. Salivation.

Throat of Aconite Napellus i.e.

Burning anguish in throat.
Constriction and burning from mouth to stomach Every attempt to swallow followed by spasms like hydrophobia but not renewed by sight of water.
Difficulty of swallowing and a pain in back of neck and behind jaws in parotid region, so that in eating he had to press back of neck with hand.
Burning in gullet as if a hot coal were there.

Stomach of Aconite Napellus i.e.

Eructation immediately.
Severe vomiting, which recurred every two or three minutes and was performed by a sudden, jerking action of abdominal muscles accompanied by a loud shout.
Nausea induced by erect position.
Vomiting relieves all symptoms. Warmth most marked in region of stomach.

Abdomen of Aconite Napellus i.e.

Rumbling in bowels (immediately in one case, two hours after dose in another).
Sudden contraction of diaphragm. Liver and spleen greatly enlarged.

Rectum & Anus of Aconite Napellus i.e.

Pain with nightly itching and stitching in anus.
Choleraic discharge with collapse, anxiety and restlessness. Bleeding haemorrhoids. [Hamam]
Watery diarrhoea in children. They cry and complain much, are sleepless and restless.

Stool of Aconite Napellus i.e.

Frequent scanty stool, with tenesmus.
Green, watery stools, like chopped spinach. White stools, with dark red urine.

Urinary Organ of Aconite Napellus i.e.

Copious diuresis.
Difficulty in voiding urine.
Dysuria also occasionally retention with hypogastric pain.
Scanty, red, hot urine, without sediment.

Sexual Organ of Aconite Napellus i.e.

Male: Nocturnal pollutions (unusual to prover).
Female: Menses too profuse and too protracted, especially in young plethoric women. Suppression of the menses from fright or cold. Too scanty or suppressed lochia. Rigidity of the os uteri. Frenzy on the appearance of the menses. Ovaries congested also painful. Sharp shooting pains in womb.

Respiratory System of Aconite Napellus i.e.

Respiration difficult.
Oppressive anguish in precordial region. Sighing breathing.

Heart & Pulse of Aconite Napellus i.e.

Pulse at first, on entering a warm room, more frequent then sinks far below normal, small, weak, intermittent.
Sounds of heart only heard at apex.

Neck & Back of Aconite Napellus i.e.

Numb, stiff, painful. Crawling and tingling, as if bruised.
Stiffness in nape of neck. Bruised pain between scapulae.

Extremities of Aconite Napellus i.e.

Weakness, trembling, burning, creeping, tingling, numbness of limbs.

Skin of Aconite Napellus i.e.

General formication.

Sleep of Aconite Napellus i.e.

Sleep disturbed, Throws himself continually around in bed.
Somnolence.

Fever of Aconite Napellus i.e.

Surface cold, sweating, and quite pale.
Intense coldness, Head and face became suddenly warm, warmth extended over rest of body, was more intense in region of stomach, also was accompanied by sweat. (3)

Characteristics

Important characteristic features of Aconite

Our knowledge of this alkaloid is chiefly derived from cases of poisoning and over-dosing The numbness, tingling, prickling and heat of the Aconite proving are produced by the alkaloid, but with increased intensity.
On local application, first there is
Sensation of warmth, then of burning with sharp pains and itching, finally numbness also anesthesia.
The symptoms often proceed from below upwards: “A tingling, prickling sensation, running up leg to spine also head, and tingling of fingers.” “Ice- cold sensation creeps up from his feet.”
Fear of death, anguish, intense chilliness, feeling of sickness, constricting burning sensation, extending from mouth to stomach.
Twitching and spasms over whole body, especially in face.
All symptoms are better especially by vomiting.

Other Characteristic Symptoms of Aconite

In one poisoning case “vomiting recurred every two or three minutes, and was performed by a sudden jerking action of abdominal muscles, accompanied by a loud shout, probably dependent on a sudden contraction of the diaphragm. Every attempt to swallow was followed by the spasmodic contractions so characteristic of hydrophobia, but they were not renewed by the sight of water. The slightest touch renewed the spasms.”
Aconitine should be helpful in cases of hydrophobia, whether of the convulsive or the paralytic kind.
The senses are disordered or lost sight, hearing, smell.
In one poisoning case the blindness was coincident with sudden dilatation of the pupils, also sight partially returned as the pupils contracted.
A heavy feeling as of lead all over the body.
All parts except head also stomach feel as if filled with lead.
Neuralgia of 5th nerve.
Creeping on face with feeling of swelling also tension.
Pains in supraorbital nerve were especially prominent.
Post-mortem examinations show the spleen very much enlarged, posterior part of liver dark also almost black. Kidneys hyperemic. (3)

Therapeutic value

Therapeutic value of Aconite

Amenorrhoea,
Asthma
Cholera
Cough
Diarrhoea
Dysentery
Fear and fright
Inflammation
Headache
Menses
Pneumonia
Remittent fever
Vertigo, etc. (5)

Modality

Modality of Aconite

Aggravation:

At night, Atmospheric changes, North- West wind, Exposure to draft of air while in perspiration, when rising from bed, checked perspiration, Tobacco chewing, Light, Dentition, In warm room, Pressure, touch, During menses, Sleeping in the sun, Music, Inspiration.

Amelioration:

In open air, Perspiration, lying in bed and especially lying on the back, Wine, Sitting still. (4)

Relationship

Remedy Relationship Aconite

Complimentary

Arn, Coff, Sulph

Follows Well

Abrot, Arn, Ars, Bell, Bry, Cact, Calc, Cocc, Canth, Coff, Hep, Ipec, Kali-brom, Merc, Puls, Rhus, Sep, Spig, Spong, Sulph, Sil.

Antidoted By

Acet-ac, Cham, Cimic, Coff, Nux-v, Par, Petr, Sep, Sulph

It Antidotes

Arn, Aspin, Astac, Bell, Bry, Cact, Canth, Cham, Chel, Cit-v, Coff, Croc, Dol, Glon, Graph, Kalm, Kreos, Lyc, Merc-p, Mez, Morph, Nux-v, Petr, Sep, Sol, Spong, Stry, Sulph, Ther, Verat, Vib-p.

Comparison

Bell, Cann-i, Cham, Cocc, Con, Dulc. (4)

Dose

Posology (Dose) of Aconite

Potency

Sixth potency for sensory affections; first to third for congestive conditions and inflammatory fevers.
Must be repeated frequently in acute diseases. Acon is a rapid worker.
Sixth potency for neuralgias, 12 and 30 when there is nervous excitement and fear of death.(4)

Repetition

It must be repeated frequently in an acute condition.

Duration of action

1 Hour to Several Weeks.(4)(5)

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Qu. 1. What are the common names of Aconite?

Ans. i) Firstly, Monkshood,

ii) Secondly, Wolfs bane,

iii) Thirdly, Helmet flower.

Qu. 2. What are the A B C of Clarke’s nurseries?

Ans.

Firstly, A-Aconite.
Secondly, B-Belladonna.
Thirdly, C-Chamomilla.

Qu.3. What is the key-note of Aconite?

Ans. ‘Tension’ is the key-note of Aconite.

Qu.4. Name three medicines who lead ‘sedentary life’.

Ans. i) Firstly, Aconite.

ii) Secondly, Aloe soc

iii) Thirdly, Nux vom.

Qu.5. In which stage of disease Aconite is called for?

Ans. For the congestive stage of inflammation before localization takes place.

Qu. 6. Name three medicines for bad effect of checked perspiration.

Ans. i) Firstly, Aconite.

ii) Secondly, Bryonia.

iii) Thirdly, Dulcamara.

Qu.7. Name three medicines for acute conditions.

Ans. i) Firstly, Aconite nap.

ii) Secondly, Belladonna.

iii) Thirdly, Dulcamara.

Qu. 8. Name four medicines having plethoric habit.

Ans. i) Firstly, Aconite.

ii) Secondly, Belladonna.

iii) Thirdly, Calc. carb.

iv) Fourthly, Sulphur.

Qu. 9. Name three medicines those are easily affected by atmospheric changes.

Ans. i) Firstly, Aconite.

ii) Secondly, Sulphur.

iii) Thirdly, Hepar sulph.

Qu. 10. Name five medicines for amelioration in open air.

Ans. i) Firstly, Aconite.

ii) Secondly, Apis mel.

iii) Thirdly, Arg nit.

iv) Fourthly, Ant. crud.

v) Lastly, Pulsatilla.

Qu. 11. Who is the chronic of Aconite?

Ans. Sulphur.

Qu. 12. Name three medicines where complaints caused by exposure to dry cold air.

Ans. i) Firstly, Aconite.

ii) Secondly, Bryonia.

iii) Thirdly, Hepar sulph

Qu.13. Name three medicines for bad effects from having the hair-cut.

Ans. i) Firstly, Aconite.

ii) Secondly, Belladonna.

iii) Thirdly, Glonoinum.

Qu. 14. Name four medicines where tonsils become inflamed after riding in a cold wind.

Ans. i) Firstly, Aconite.

ii) Secondly, Belladonna.

iii) Thirdly, Hepar sulph.

iv) Fourthly, Rhus tox.

Qu. 15. Name three medicines where pleurisy or pneumonia occurs from sudden exposure while overheated.

Ans. i) Firstly, Aconite.

ii) Secondly, Arnica

iii) Thirdly, Ranunculus bulb.

Qu. 16. What are the mental symptoms of Aconite?

Ans.

i) Introduction i.e.-

Mental symptoms are characterized by acute onset.

ii) Fear i.e.–

Great fear of death; fear to go out; to go into a crowd; to go into where there are many people or excitement to cross the street: fear of death during pregnancy: fear of darkness; fear of ghost.

iii) Prediction i.e.-

Predicts the day & time of death.

iv) Restlessness i.e.–

Constant restlessness both physically and mentally. Must change position often; everything startles him.

v) Anxiety i.e.–

Great anxiety of mind; does everything in great haste.

vi) Agony i.e.–

Tosses about in agony with great nervous excitability.

vii) Over sensitiveness i.e.–

Mentally oversensitive.

viii) Relation with music i.e.–

Music is unbearable and makes her sad.

Qu. 17. Name three remedies where music is unbearable.

Ans. i) Firstly, Aconite-Music is unbearable -makes the patient sad.

ii) Secondly, Graphites-Music makes her weep.

iii) Thirdly, Thuja-Music makes her weep.

Qu. 18. Differentiate Aconite and Ars. alb. in fear of death.

Ans.

Aconite-Fear of death predicts the day even the time or moment of death. Patient thinks that unless proper medicine is taken, he would die, therefore wants the doctor to be called at once.

Arsenic alb.-Fear of death but never predicts the time of death. He thinks that his sease is incurable. Therefore, no use of taking medicine and doctor need not be called.

Qu. 19. What is the facial expression of an Aconite patient?

Ans. i) Firstly, The countinance is expressive of fear. The face represents the great fear and anxiety of mind.

ii) Secondly, On rising from a recumbent position, the red face becomes deathly pale.

Qu. 20. What are the constant concomitants of Aconite?

Ans. i) Firstly, Mental anxiety.

ii) Secondly, Worry

iii) Thirdly, Fear- these accompanies the most trivial ailment.

Qu. 21. Name four medicines for fear of death.

Ans. i) Firstly, Aconite.

ii) Secondly, Arsenic. alb.

iii) Thirdly, Arg. Nitricum.

iv) Fourthly, Gelsemium.

Qu. 22. Name the Nash’s trio of restless medicine and differentiate them.

Ans. Trio consisting of: i) Firstly, Aconite. ii) Secondly, Ars. alb. iii) Thirdly, Rhus tox.

Aconite-Aconite is mentally restless
alb.-Ars. alb. is restless both physically and mentally.
Rhus tox is physically restless.

Qu. 23. Name Nash’s trio of pain remedies.

Ans. i) Firstly, Aconite-Pains are intolerable and makes the patient restless esp. at night. Pain is often associated with numbness.

ii) Secondly, Chamomilla-Pain is accompanied by intense irritability.

iii) Thirdly, Coffea-Pain is accompanied by excitement.

Qu. 24. State the cough symptoms of Aconite.

Ans. a) Causation i.e.: – i) Firstly, Exposure to dry cold air,

ii) Secondly, Dry north or west winds.

iii) Thirdly, Exposure to draught of cold air,

iv) Fourthly, After checked perspiration.

b) Character of the cough i.e.:

It is croupy, dry, hoarse, suffocating, rough, loud, croaking, hard, ringing & whistling.

c) Modalities i.e.: -Agg. i) Firstly, On expiration, ii) Secondly, Towards evening & night.

Amel. i) In open air.

d) Concomitants i.e.: – i) Firstly, Constant mental & physical restlessness., ii) Secondly, Thirst for large quantities of cold water.

Qu. 25. Name two medicines for complete aphonia after exposure to north-west wind.

Ans. i) Firstly, Aconite., ii) Secondly, Hepar sulph.

Qu. 26. State the indications of Aconite in cholera.

Ans. a) Causation i.e.: i) Firstly, From fear,

ii) Secondly, From fright, from shock excitement.

iii) Thirdly, From checked perspiration,

iv) Fourthly, From heat of the sun, etc.

b) Mode of onset i.e.: – Sudden and violent.

c) Ch. of stool i.e.: i) Firstly, Severe vomiting and purging in profuse quantity.

ii) Secondly, Rice watery stool, contains bright-red blood.

iii) Thirdly, Frequent desire for stool & vomiting.

d) Modalities i.e.: -Agg. in evening and towards night.

e) Concomitants i.e.:

Severe precordial pain
Great fear of death, even predicts the day and moment of death.
Intense nervousness and restlessness with great anxiety.
Thirst for large quantities of cold water.

Qu. 27. Discuss the paralytic symptoms of Aconite.

Ans: a) Causation i.e.: – i) Firstly, Due to exposure of cold air, ii) Secondly, Due to draught of north, west wind etc.

b) Onset i.e.: – Sudden and violent.

c) Ch. symptoms i.e.: i) Firstly, Paralysis accompanied by coldness, ii) Secondly, Numbness and tingling of the parts.

Qu. 28, State Aconite in convulsion.

Ans a) Adoptability i.e.: –

i) Firstly, Acon. is esp. suitable for rosy, chubby and plethoric baby.

ii) Secondly, Convulsion esp. of teething children.

b) Convulsive symptoms i.e.: –

i) Firstly, Jerks and twitches of single muscle with heat,

ii) Secondly, Child gnaws its fist.

iii) Thirdly, Frets and screams-restlessness,

iv) Fourthly, Skin dry and hot esp. with high fever.

Qu. 29. What is the other medicine in your course having convulsion of single muscle?

Ans. Ignati

Qu.30. Name three medicines for bad effects of fear which is still remaining.

Ans. i) Firstly, Aconite, ii) Secondly, Opium, iii) Thirdly, Hyoscyamus.

Qu. 31. What are the indications of Aconite in fever?

Ans.

a) Mode of onset i.e.:

Acute onset; sudden and violent like storm.

b) Causation i.e.: –

i) Firstly, From exposure to dry cold air,

ii) Secondly, From exposure to draught of cold air.

iii) Thirdly, From bad effect of checked perspiration, iv) From fear, fright, shock.

v) Fourthly, From heat of the sun.

c) Period of prodrome i.e.:

High rise of temperature, whole body burning hot

d) Period of progress i.e.:

High fever but of short and sharp attack.
Severe chill in the evening

e) Period of decline i.e.:

There is no periodicity, recovery is quick.

f) Physical symptoms i.e.:

i) Firstly, Skin i.e.: – Dry and hot.

ii) Secondly, Sweat i.e.: -Drenching sweat on the parts laid on, which ameliorates the complaints.

iii) Thirdly, Thirst i.e.: -Burning thirst for large quantity of cold water.

iv) Fourthly, Pulse i.e.: -Full, frequent, both tense and hard.

v) Lastly, Face: –

Face red or pale also red alternately
On rising from a recumbent position, the red face becomes deathly pale or he becomes faint or giddy and falls and he fears to rise again; often accompanied by vanishing of sight also unconsciousness.
The countenance is expressive of fear.

g) Mental symptoms i.e.:

i) Firstly, Fear-Great fear of death; predicts the day and moment of death.

ii) Secondly, Restlessness-Intense nervous restlessness; tossing about in agony.

iii) Thirdly, Anxiety-Anxiety with nervous excitability.

h) Modalities i.e.:

Agg.: In evening and towards night; in warm room.

Amel: In open air; by perspiration.

i) Cautions i.e.:

Acon, should never be given simply to control the fever, never alternated with other drugs for that purpose. If it be a case requiring Acon. no other medicine is needed; Acon. will cure the case.
Rarely indicated in eruptive fever.
Unless indicated by the exciting cause, is nearly always injurious in first stages of typhoid fever.

Qu. 32. What is the master’s warning regarding Aconite?

Ans. Master Hahnemann says: “Whenever Aconite is chosen homeopathically, you must. above all. observe the moral symptoms, also be careful that it closely resembles them: the anguish of mind also body: the restlessness; the disquiet not to be allayed.”

Qu. 33. Name six characteristic symptoms of Acon.

Ans. Arranged in grade/order i.e.:

Is generally indicated in acute or recent cases which starts suddenly also violently.
‘Tension’ is the key-note of Acon.
It is one of the members of the trios of ‘restless family’ of Dr. Nash. The anxiety also impatience make the patient mentally restless.
Great fear also anxiety of mind. Fear of death with prediction of day also moment of death.
It is one of the members of the ‘trios of pain remedy of Dr. Nash. Pains are intolerable also is often associated with numbness.
Either Unquenchable thirst or burning thirst for large quantities of cold water.(7)