The Medicinal Properties and Toxicity of Snow Mountain Aconite

January 16, 2024

One of the medicinal plants in the Ranunculaceae family, the rhizome of Aconitum gymnandrum, commonly known as Snow Mountain Aconite, is a common Chinese herb with strong toxicity. It has the effects of dispelling wind and dampness, promoting blood circulation and relieving pain. It is often used to treat joint and bone pain caused by wind-cold-dampness, bruises and blood stasis caused by injuries, as well as insect and snake bites.
 


 

 【Pharmacological Effects of Snow Mountain Aconite】

Modern clinical studies in pharmacology have shown that Snow Mountain Aconite is warm in nature, bitter and pungent in taste. It is highly toxic. It has the ability to dispel wind and dampness, reduce inflammation and relieve pain. It is used to treat rheumatic pain, swelling and pain from falls and sprains, as well as toothache, with significant efficacy.

Snow Mountain Aconite is mostly used externally and should be used with caution internally. It is recommended to take it under the guidance or supervision of a physician. The general dosage for internal use is once a day, with a dose of 25-50mg and a maximum dose of 70mg.

Snow Mountain Aconite was officially included in the Yunnan Provincial Drug Standard in 1974 and the Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China in 1977.

Due to its strong toxicity, the therapeutic dose is close to the toxic dose. It is classified as a special management drug by the state. Aconitine, benzoylaconitine, mesaconitine, and hypaconitine all have analgesic effects. Total alkaloids of Aconitum gymnandrum have a strong local anesthetic effect. Snow Mountain Aconite has a similar effect to digitalis on frog hearts, and the resulting cardiac dysfunction can be antagonized by atropine.

Aconitine and benzoylaconitine have a similar effect to aconitine on the heart. Xuanwei Aconite has anti-tumor effects. Pseudoaconitine and aconitine have anti-fertility activity. Iron Club can cause arrhythmia and hypotension.
 


 

 【Contraindications of Snow Mountain Aconite】

⒈Snow Mountain Aconite is highly toxic and should be processed and dosed strictly for internal use. It should not be taken internally without processing.

⒉It should not be taken by pregnant women, the elderly, children, and patients with heart disease or ulcers.

⒊During medication, avoid eating raw and cold food, beans, beef, and mutton.

⒋The alcoholic preparation should not be taken internally.

⒌The main symptoms of poisoning

The vagus nerve is strongly excited, leading to excessive salivation, vomiting, abdominal pain, arrhythmia, hypotension, shock, difficulty breathing, convulsions, and coma. It can cause circulatory and respiratory failure and death.
 


 

 【First Aid for Poisoning】

Common first aid methods for Snow Mountain Aconite poisoning include the following:

(1) Inducing vomiting.

(2) Washing the stomach with a 1:5000 potassium permanganate solution.

(3) Using 50% sodium sulfate solution for oral purgation.

(4) For severe vomiting or diarrhea, after gastric lavage, there is no need to use a purgative. Magnesium oxide 10g, tannic acid 10g, medicinal charcoal 20g can be mixed with warm water and taken orally as a paste. If there is no bowel movement, a 2% saline solution can be used for high enema purgation.

(5) Administering a high dose of atropine to counteract the excitation of the vagus nerve. The specific dosage depends on the degree of poisoning. Mild cases can be given subcutaneously or intramuscularly, while severe cases can be given intravenously.

The general dosage is 0.5-1 mg every 2-4 hours. For severe poisoning, the dosage can be increased and the repeated administration time can be shortened.

(6) Administering 5% or 10% glucose solution to promote the excretion of toxins.

(7) If there is shock, arrhythmia, convulsions, metabolic acidosis, etc., symptomatic treatment can be given.

(8) Hemoperfusion can be performed for some severe cases to thoroughly remove toxins from the body.

(9) Hyperbaric oxygen therapy can be used for patients in the recovery period.

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