Aconite Folklore: From the Underworld to the Poisoner’s Cabinet

Aconitum, referred to as ‘aconite’, is part of the Ranunculaceae family, or the buttercup family. 

The Aconitum genus contains around 100 species, each of which is poisonous. Records of its use date back 3000 years. 

The Anglo-Saxons apparently called it ‘thung’, which meant 'poison plant'. The plant also gained the nicknames 'helmet flower', 'friarscap', 'old wife's hood' and 'granny's nightcap'.

Given how horrifically poisonous the plant is, it has few medicinal or even magical uses. Yet it still appears in folklore and legend, so let’s explore some of the tales of aconite in this week's episode of Fabulous Folklore!

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