Yellow Monkshood Toxic?

Updated 2026-03-06| 3 min read| 2,152 found this helpful

Aconitum anthora L.

Classified as extremely severe toxicity, containing aconitine which is one of the strongest known plant toxins

All plant parts are toxic, with highest toxin levels in roots, seeds, and pre-flowering above-ground tissue

Poisoning onset is rapid (minutes after ingestion), with common fatal outcomes from heart arrest or respiratory paralysis without treatment

FAQ

Is Yellow Monkshood toxic to Humans?

Oral burning and paresthesia, salivation, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, thirst, colic, restlessness, anxiety, paresthesia, ataxia, weakness, convulsions, potential coma, low blood pressure, slow heart rate, tachyarrhythmia, ventricular fibrillation, dilated pupils, vision loss up to blindness, hypothermia, breathing difficulty, cyanosis, death from respiratory paralysis or cardiac arrest (Severe)

Is Yellow Monkshood toxic to Cats?

Consistent with general aconitine poisoning: oral irritation, excessive salivation, vomiting, diarrhea, ataxia, irregular heartbeat, respiratory distress, and potential fatal organ failure (Severe)

Is Yellow Monkshood toxic to Dogs?

Consistent with general aconitine poisoning: oral irritation, excessive salivation, vomiting, diarrhea, ataxia, irregular heartbeat, respiratory distress, and potential fatal organ failure (Severe)

Is Yellow Monkshood toxic to Horses?

Consistent with general aconitine poisoning: oral irritation, excessive salivation, colic, diarrhea, ataxia, cardiac arrhythmia, respiratory distress, and high risk of fatal outcome due to higher toxin sensitivity (Severe)

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Toxicity Details

Humans

Severe

Cats

Severe

Consistent with general aconitine poisoning: oral irritation, excessive salivation, vomiting, diarrhea, ataxia, irregular heartbeat, respiratory distress, and potential fatal organ failure

Dogs

Severe

Consistent with general aconitine poisoning: oral irritation, excessive salivation, vomiting, diarrhea, ataxia, irregular heartbeat, respiratory distress, and potential fatal organ failure

Horses

Severe

Toxicity Snapshot

Toxic PartsEntire plant, especially roots and seeds; also flower water. Above-ground parts have highest toxicity before flowering; dried plant material has slightly reduced toxicity

Exposure RoutePrimary route is accidental ingestion; skin/mucous membrane contact with plant sap may also cause local irritation and systemic toxicity in high exposure cases

Toxic CompoundsAconitine; Mesaconitine; Hypaconitine; N-Desethylaconitine; Oxoaconitine; 14-Acetylneolin; Aconosin; Hokbusin A; Senbusin C; Magnoflorin

First Aid & Prevention

First 30 Minutes

• Induce vomiting immediately if the exposed individual/animal is conscious and alert to remove unabsorbed plant material
• Rinse mouth thoroughly with clean water to reduce residual alkaloid exposure
• Keep the affected party calm and immobile to slow toxin circulation through the body

Contact Vet Immediately

Prevention

• Do not grow this plant in areas accessible to children, pets, or livestock
• Never confuse its roots with edible root vegetables including horseradish and celery root
• Wear impermeable protective gloves when handling the plant to avoid skin contact with sap

Treatment & Prognosis

• Perform decontamination: administer activated charcoal, perform gastric lavage if exposure occurred within 1 hour
• Provide symptomatic supportive care: continuous cardiac monitoring, antiarrhythmic medication, and respiratory support as required
• Avoid administration of contraindicated substances: Digitalis, Strophanthin

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Professional Toxicology

Scientific NameAconitum anthora L.

AliasesAnthora、Healing wolfsbane

Toxicity Grade

HumansSevere

CatsSevere

DogsSevere

HorsesSevere

Target Organs

HeartNervous systemRespiratory tractGastrointestinal tractVisual system

Mechanism of Action

• Aconitine alkaloids bind to sodium channels in nerve and muscle cells, disrupting normal electrical signaling

• Toxins impair cardiac function leading to life-threatening arrhythmias and reduced cardiac output

• Depresses respiratory center function, leading to progressive respiratory paralysis and failure

Other Species Risk (CliniTox)

Information from CliniTox veterinary text.

Donkey, Goat: High sensitivity to aconitine toxins, similar to horses, with low ingested doses leading to fatal poisoning

Sheep: Relatively higher toxin tolerance compared to equines and goats, but ingestion still poses significant poisoning risk

Confusion Risk

The following plants look similar and may be confused:

Other Aconitum species Aconitum spp.

All Aconitum species share highly similar morphology and are extremely toxic, with no reliable visual differentiation of toxicity levels possible in wild settings

Larkspur Delphinium spp.

Closely related to Aconitum, shares similar flower structure, and is also classified as extremely toxic

Wild celery Apium graveolens

Root tubers are visually nearly identical to Aconitum anthora roots; wild celery has pinnate alternate leaves and white umbel flowers, and is non-toxic

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Related Toxic Plants

Common monkshood

Aconitum napellus

Severe

Common larkspur

Delphinium consolida

High

Poison buttercup

Ranunculus sceleratus

Moderate

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Data Sources

1. CliniTox (Universität Zürich)

This information is for reference only and does not constitute medical advice. If ingestion or poisoning is suspected, seek medical or veterinary attention immediately.

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