Aconitum vulparia or Aconitum lycoctonum
Also known as: Alpine aconite and variously spelled wolfbane, Wolf's bane
Description
Wolf's bane is perennial Alpine woodland wildflower and a member of the deadly aconite family. It grows to about 3 feet tall, spreads out in clumps and produces lovely spikes of ivory, green or bright yellow pitcher-shaped flowers from spring to midsummer. The bright green leaves are palmately shaped and deeply lobed and toothed.
A member of the aconite family, wolfsbane is highly toxic.
History and Folklore
Wolfsbane gets its name from the fact that it was once used to kills wolves. I have seen it reported that it was used to poison arrows when hunting wolves by the ancient Greeks and that it was used to poison meat left out by farmers.
In Greek myth, Medea attempted to poison Theseus by putting wolfsbane in his wine.
Growing Wolfsbane
Wolfsbane germinates in response to snow melt so it can be somewhat difficult for the backyard gardener to get it going. You could try planting it in the fall so that the seeds experience the winter freeze and thaw if you live in an area that experiences a good hard freeze in the winter with plenty of snow. Or you could soaking and freezing the seeds in a wet paper towel for a few weeks before soaking them for several days in cold water and then planting. You should be aware that its toxic compounds are also contained in its seeds, so use gloves when handling the seeds and disposing of water it has been soaked in.
It is much easier to propagate by division which is possible after a few years of growth due to its clumping habit.
Wolfsbane likes a moist, shady or partly shaded spot with rich soil full of organic material in a spot that will not be bothered by children or pets. It will grow best in USDA zones 5-8. Wolfsbane does not tend to suffer damage from wildlife, but aphids like it.
Bees enjoy wolfbane.
Healing with Wolfbane
Wolfsbane has been used historically as a treatment for lycanthropy (werewolf-ism) and as an antidote to other poisons. It is extremely toxic and should not be used for healing by the lay herbalist.
Wolfsbane in Magick
Wolfsbane has traditionally been used to protect homes from werewolves and can be used to prevent shape shifting.
Bundles of wolfsbane could be placed around barns and pastures to protect livestock from predators (taking care that the livestock have no access to it lest they be killed themselves).
Because of its baneful nature, it could be used in sympathetic magic to bring harm to another by creating "elf bolts" of sharpened flint dipped in wolfsbane juice and piercing a poppet for the victim with them.
Magickal Correspondences for Wolfsbane
Planet(s): Saturn, Mars
Element(s): Fire or Aether
Zodiac Sign(s):
Deities: Hecate
Wolfsbane Toxicity
Wolfsbane is baneful herb and ingesting even a small amount can kill you. It can be absorbed through the skin as well, causing numbness, tingling and dermatitis, so use gloves when handling wolfsbane. It should be planted in a part of the garden inaccessible to children, pets and livestock and clearly labeled. Once harvested, store it in a tightly sealed jar on a high shelf, once again, clearly labeled.
Some symptoms of wolfsbane poisoning include vomiting, sweating, frothing at the mouth, confusion, dizziness, numbness and tingling about the face, mouth and limbs, a burning sensation in the abdomen. Symptoms appear within an hour of exposure and death follows within 6 hours. In the case of accidental ingestion, activated charcoal given within one hour may slow the poison, but the patient must receive supportive care in the hospital as soon as possible. In the case of exposure through the skin and membranes, flush with water and seek supportive medical care as soon as possible.
See Also
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Do you have a question or something to add?
I love Witchipedia, and I'm hoping people can help me with a question. Does anyone know when and where aconitum became associated with anti-shapeshifting and werewolves? I've read this description many times, but so far the earliest reference I've been able to find associating it specifically with lycanthropy comes from 1940's Hollywood - is it just that it was used to kill wolves in ancient times that it's been given this reputation for anti-werewolfery (i.e. to 'kill the wolf within'??)? Aconitum is sacred to Hecate, yes? If so, it seems a bit contradictory that it would have an anti-shapeshifting qualities. I've been fortunate enough to have had it growing in my garden for years (one of my absolute favorite plants as it's very beautiful and it conveys a definite presence wherever it's found) but I'm not getting any sense that it's truly adverse to lycanthropy or shapeshifting. One myth I learned was that it was formed from the frothy spittle of Cerberus at the gates to the underworld. It definitely marks a boundary that you cannot cross lightly, but (at least to me) not repellent to shape shifting. Your thoughts?
The energy of Wolfsbane feels to me as something that defines boundaries and this corresponds quite well to its association with Hecate as Hecate is a guardian of boundaries, she is a liminal Goddess. Cerberus, who guards the gates of the underworld is similar, in that he is guardian of a boundary and a liminal creature. A werewolf is a liminal creature, neither fully man, nor fully beast and yet both. As a boundary-marking energy, it would be something that does not tolerate liminality, that would demand that a clear delineation- wolf or man. In other shape-shifting, this energy would be quite useful. For example, if you wish to transform yourself in a certain way, the energy of wolfsbane could be utilize to firm up this transformation to keep you from slipping back into your former "shape", if you will. This does not seem to me to be a conflict with Hecate's energy at all. While she moves through liminal space, she is one of the few Gods who are truly at liberty to do so at will- and she knows that, and appreciates that. While she moves freely through boundaries, she still marks them and she expects others to mark them.
But I agree with you about the Werewolf, Hollywood connection. That's just a bunch of hooey.