Interesting facts

The scientific name Aconitum was used in the ancient world by poets such as Ovid as collective name for strong poisons. The term napellus comes from the Latin nápus = turnip, alluding to the turnip-like tuber. The name Wolfsbane presumably derives from the idea that Monkshood would kill even wolves.

Greek mythology tells us why Monkshood is so highly poisonous. It is said to be the fault of Hercules, the only person apart from Orpheus who overcame Cerberus, the watchdog of the Underworld. The dog's anger at being overwhelmed by Hercules was passed on to the plant as Cereberus brushed against it. The Greek sorceress Medea used Monkshood to take revenge on her unfaithful husband Jason by trying to poison his son Theseus with it.

In antiquity Monkshood was used mainly for its poisonous properties. Arrows, spears and swords poisoned with it were deadly weapons. It was also used for rotting away flesh. In 117 A.D. planting Monkshood in gardens was forbidden as one of the first laws against the brewing of poison.
In the Middle Ages Monkshood was only recommended for killing lice. Otherwise it only attracted attention because of cases of poisoning. There are macabre reports of experiments in search of an antidote being performed, with the sanction of the Emperor and the Pope, on criminals sentenced to death.

A Russian legend relates that Lucifer hid under a Monkshood plant when he was driven from heaven. The archangel Gabriel is said to have found him there and struck the plant with a bolt of lightening, forcing Lucifer to flee.