Aconitum heterophyllum or Atis root: Devil's helmet kills malarial parasites

By Syed Akbar

Aconitum heterophyllum or Devil's helmet lives in the footsteps of the Himalayas. It is a poisonous herb but Ayurveda doctors have been using it for almost 2000 years, of course after detoxifying it. Susrutha
had listed Aconitum in his medical herbarium and praised it for its unique herbal curative properties.
Ayurveda doctors recognise Aconitum as Vatsnabh Kul or Atis root. Extreme caution has to be taken while using Aconitum at home. It is highly recommended that "detoxified" Aconitum formulations be
purchased from a reputed herbal stores for safety and quick healing results.
The tuberous root of Aconitum is used in Ayurvedic formulations. Its underground stem and leaves are also used in certain preparations. Aconitum has been hailed as one of the best natural treatments for malarial fevers. It is also useful in improving digestion, fighting nausea, controlling vomiting and diarrhoea, purifying blood, reducing swellings and bringing down body temperature (fever).
Aconitum is also often prescribed for reducing body weight (obesity), treating piles, intestinal problems and as a natural birth control agent. It has been hailed as a divine herb, but it is unpalatable in taste. It should
be taken in extremely small quantity as large quantities could produce undesired results.
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Home Remedies
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Aconitum can be used both externally and internally. In case of external application, it is considered good in fighting tonsillitis. Take a little quantity of Aconitum seeds, crush them into fine powder. Mix the powder with honey. Apply the paste externally on the throat. Only detoxified seeds should be used.
In case of nasal and bronchial congestion, root powder mixed with milk can be consumed twice a day. The daily intake should never cross three grams of dry root powder.
Root powder in small quantities is recommended for malarial fevers. Root decoction can be used for relief from urinary tract infections.
It is an excellent tonic to boost immunity and general health while recovering from sickness. Root powder formulation can be had as general health tonic from a herbal store.
There have been recorded cases of Aconitum being used as an antidote for insect poisons. In this case it is used externally on the affected portion of the skin.