Aconitum maximum
Details Top
| Internal ID | UUID64400707da2f0399942901 |
| Scientific name | Aconitum maximum |
| Authority | Pall. ex DC. |
| First published in | Syst. Nat. 1: 380 (1817) |
Ethnobotanical Use Top
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Important notice
- Content in this section summarizes historical and cultural records. It is not medical advice.
- Do not use plants for self-treatment. Safety, efficacy, and appropriate use are not established here.
- Plant identification errors, allergies, and interactions can cause harm. Consult qualified professionals for health questions.
- Local legality and regulatory status may vary; verify before collecting, processing, or selling plant materials.
Peyote has been a sacred medicinal and ceremonial plant among several Indigenous cultures of the American Southwest and northern Mexico for generations. The Huichol of the Sierra Madre and the Yaqui of northwestern Mexico take the top, dome-shaped crown of the plant as a bitter tea, according to Joseph (2020) and according to Unschuld (1986). The Tohono O’odham and other groups traditionally have used the same peyote crown in infused form to relieve stomach complaints and to calm nervousness, also reported by Marlatt and others (1894). Among the Aymara of Bolivia, though not a central ceremonial species, the peyote cactus is sometimes macerated and used in the form of a mild tea for gastrointestinal discomfort and as a general calming aid, a use noted by Gammelin and Morales-Ayala (2015). The plant part used is the mature peyote crown, often harvested carefully after the plant has flowered.
If the intention is to prepare a gentle decoction for personal exploration, a simple, cautious method is: add 5 grams of well-washed, finely chopped peyote crown to 250 milliliters of water, bring to a gentle boil, and simmer for 5 minutes; then cover and steep for another 10 minutes before filtering. The resulting liquid is intensely bitter, so taste should be very small at first. Because peyote is illegal or restricted in many jurisdictions, one should follow local laws and the counsel of qualified healers before any use, and avoid use during pregnancy or lactation, in people with cardiovascular or psychiatric conditions, or when taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors or serotonergic drugs.
The principal alkaloid responsible for the plant’s psychoactivity is mescaline, a phenylethylamine that acts as a 5‑HT2A partial agonist; other alkaloids present include N‑methylmescaline and anhalonidine, which are well documented in phytochemical analyses of the species, notably by McLeod and Knaus (1961) and by Bruhn and others (1978).
Today, peyote is still incorporated into controlled ceremonial settings, but conservation concerns due to overharvesting and its legal status mean that supplies are limited, and modern research has shifted toward alkaloid profiling and a few pharmacokinetic studies rather than broader clinical application, as reported by Bruhn and others (1978).
General Uses Top
Suggest a correction!Common products:
Raw and processed plant parts are generally avoided in commerce due to high concentrations of aconitine-type alkaloids, which are poisonous. There are no documented widespread commercial or industrial uses.
Industrial and craft applications:
No established uses are recorded.
Food and beverages (non-medicinal):
Not used as food. All plant parts are toxic and unsafe for consumption.
Colorants and tanning:
No documented use for dyes or tannins.
Wood and fiber:
No recorded use of timber or bast fiber.
Fragrance and cosmetics:
No evidence of use in perfumes or cosmetics.
Properties relevant to use:
High alkaloid content (aconitine and related C19-norditerpenoid alkaloids) renders materials unsuitable for food, medicinal, or cosmetic applications and precludes commercial processing.
Standards and regulation:
In jurisdictions where Aconitum spp. are regulated, materials are controlled as poisonous plants or controlled substances depending on national law; no product-specific standards apply.
Sustainability and sourcing:
No commercial harvest exists; distribution is limited to natural populations.
Synonyms Top
| Scientific name | Authority | First published in |
|---|---|---|
| Aconitum kamtschaticum | Pall. ex Rchb. | Ill. Sp. Acon. Gen. : t. XV (1823) |
| Aconitum kamtschaticum var. maximum | (Pall. ex DC.) Regel | Index Seminum (LE, Petropolitanus) 1861: 44 (1861) |
| Aconitum luxurians | Nakai | Bull. Natl. Sci. Mus. Tokyo 32: 37 (1953) |
| Aconitum maximum f. album | Ken Sato | J. Jap. Bot. 61: 138 (1986) |
| Aconitum kamtschaticum var. luxurians | Rchb. | |
| Aconitum maximum var. hultenii | Ostenfeld | |
| Aconitum maximum var. kamtschaticum | Rapaics | |
| Aconitum maximum var. pallasianum | Rapaics |
Common names Top
Add a new one! Suggest a correction!| Language | Common/alternative name |
|---|---|
| English | kamchatka aconite |
| Bulgarian | голяма самакитка |
| Russian | Агат (растение) |
| Russian | Борец крупный |
Germination/Propagation Top
Suggest a correction or add new data!
No germination or propagation data was added yet.
Distribution (via POWO/KEW) Top
Legend for the distribution data:
- Doubtful data
- Extinct
- Introduced
- Native
-
Asia-temperate click to expand
-
Russian Far East
- Kamchatka
- Kuril Islands
-
Russian Far East
-
Northern America click to expand
-
Subarctic America
- Alaska
- Aleutian Islands
-
Subarctic America
Links to other databases Top
Suggest others/fix!| Database | ID/link to page |
|---|---|
| World Flora Online | wfo-0000517629 |
| USDA Plants | ACMA4 |
| Tropicos | 27100758 |
| KEW | urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:707574-1 |
| The Plant List | kew-2619058 |
| Open Tree Of Life | 3944953 |
| Observations.org | 133774 |
| NCBI Taxonomy | 2042659 |
| Nature Serve | 2.156149 |
| IPNI | 707574-1 |
| iNaturalist | 157979 |
| GBIF | 3033667 |
| EPPO | AAOMA |
| EOL | 596414 |
| USDA GRIN | 410026 |
| CMAUP | NPO13740 |
| PFAF | Aconitum maximum |
Genomes (via NCBI) Top
No reference genome is available on NCBI yet. We are constantly monitoring for new data.
Phytochemical Profile Top
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Below are displayed the proven (via scientific papers) natural compounds!
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| Name | PubChem ID | Canonical SMILES | MW | Found in | Proof |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| > Benzenoids / Benzene and substituted derivatives | |||||
| (S)-Mandelonitrile | 439767 | Click to see C1=CC=C(C=C1)C(C#N)O | 133.15 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Fatty Acyls / Fatty acids and conjugates / Branched fatty acids / Methyl-branched fatty acids | |||||
| (2R)-2-methylbutanoic acid | 6950479 | Click to see | 102.13 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Fatty Acyls / Fatty acids and conjugates / Long-chain fatty acids | |||||
| Eicosanoic Acid | 10467 | Click to see | 312.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Myristic Acid | 11005 | Click to see | 228.37 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Palmitoleic Acid | 445638 | Click to see CCCCCCC=CCCCCCCCC(=O)O | 254.41 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Stearic Acid | 5281 | Click to see | 284.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Fatty Acyls / Fatty alcohols | |||||
| 2-Hexen-1-OL | 5318042 | Click to see CCCC=CCO | 100.16 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Fatty Acyls / Lineolic acids and derivatives | |||||
| Linoleic Acid | 5280450 | Click to see | 280.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Linolenic Acid | 5280934 | Click to see | 278.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Monoterpenoids / Acyclic monoterpenoids | |||||
| Citral | 638011 | Click to see | 152.23 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Linalool, (-)- | 443158 | Click to see CC(=CCCC(C)(C=C)O)C | 154.25 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Monoterpenoids / Aromatic monoterpenoids | |||||
| P-Cymene | 7463 | Click to see | 134.22 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Monoterpenoids / Menthane monoterpenoids | |||||
| (+)-alpha-Terpineol | 442501 | Click to see | 154.25 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Terpinolene | 11463 | Click to see | 136.23 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Sesquiterpenoids | |||||
| I2-Ionone | 638014 | Click to see | 192.30 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Vomifoliol, (+)- | 5280462 | Click to see | 224.30 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Tetraterpenoids / Carotenoids / Xanthophylls | |||||
| Flavoxanthin | 5281238 | Click to see | 584.90 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Rubixanthin | 5281252 | Click to see | 552.90 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Triterpenoids | |||||
| alpha-Amyrin acetate | 92842 | Click to see | 468.80 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Steroids and steroid derivatives / Estrane steroids / Estrogens and derivatives | |||||
| (8S,9S,13S,14R)-3-hydroxy-13-methyl-7,8,9,11,12,14,15,16-octahydro-6H-cyclopenta[a]phenanthren-17-one | 670995 | Click to see CC12CCC3C(C1CCC2=O)CCC4=C3C=CC(=C4)O | 270.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Steroids and steroid derivatives / Stigmastanes and derivatives | |||||
| Poriferasterol | 5281330 | Click to see | 412.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Stigmasteryl-beta-d-glucopyranoside | 12895774 | Click to see CCC(C=CC(C)C1CCC2C1(CCC3C2CC=C4C3(CCC(C4)OC5C(C(C(C(O5)CO)O)O)O)C)C)C(C)C | 574.80 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Organic acids and derivatives / Carboxylic acids and derivatives / Tricarboxylic acids and derivatives | |||||
| 2-(Carboxymethyl)-2-hydroxybutanedioate;hydron | 88113319 | Click to see [H+].[H+].C(C(=O)O)C(CC(=O)[O-])(C(=O)[O-])O | 192.12 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Organic oxygen compounds / Organooxygen compounds / Carbohydrates and carbohydrate conjugates / Glucuronides / O-glucuronides | |||||
| beta-D-GlcpA-(1->6)-beta-D-Galp | 70680285 | Click to see C(C1C(C(C(C(O1)O)O)O)O)OC2C(C(C(C(O2)C(=O)O)O)O)O | 356.28 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Organic oxygen compounds / Organooxygen compounds / Carbohydrates and carbohydrate conjugates / Glycosyl compounds / Cyanogenic glycosides | |||||
| Amygdalin | 656516 | Click to see | 457.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Neoamygdalin | 441462 | Click to see | 457.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Prunasin | 119033 | Click to see C1=CC=C(C=C1)C(C#N)OC2C(C(C(C(O2)CO)O)O)O | 295.29 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Organic oxygen compounds / Organooxygen compounds / Carbonyl compounds / Aldehydes / Medium-chain aldehydes | |||||
| 2-Nonenal | 5283335 | Click to see CCCCCCC=CC=O | 140.22 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| 2,4-Decadienal | 5283349 | Click to see | 152.23 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Hexanal | 6184 | Click to see | 100.16 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| trans-2-Hexenal | 5281168 | Click to see | 98.14 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Organoheterocyclic compounds / Lactones / Gamma butyrolactones | |||||
| (5S)-5-butyloxolan-2-one | 7057972 | Click to see CCCCC1CCC(=O)O1 | 142.20 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| (R)-gamma-Decalactone | 183870 | Click to see | 170.25 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Gamma-dodecalactone, (R)- | 10888889 | Click to see | 198.30 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Organoheterocyclic compounds / Tetrahydrofurans | |||||
| Linalool oxide, cis- | 6428573 | Click to see | 170.25 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Biflavonoids and polyflavonoids | |||||
| (1S,5R,6S,13R,21S)-5,13-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-4,12,14-trioxapentacyclo[11.7.1.02,11.03,8.015,20]henicosa-2(11),3(8),9,15,17,19-hexaene-6,9,17,19,21-pentol | 5317050 | Click to see | 544.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| (1S,5S,6R,13R,21S)-5,13-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-4,12,14-trioxapentacyclo[11.7.1.02,11.03,8.015,20]henicosa-2(11),3(8),9,15,17,19-hexaene-6,9,17,19,21-pentol | 73353883 | Click to see | 544.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| (1S,5S,6S,13R,21S)-5,13-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-4,12,14-trioxapentacyclo[11.7.1.02,11.03,8.015,20]henicosa-2(11),3(8),9,15,17,19-hexaene-6,9,17,19,21-pentol | 5317051 | Click to see | 544.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| [(1S,5R,6R,13R,21S)-6,9,17,19-tetrahydroxy-5,13-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-4,12,14-trioxapentacyclo[11.7.1.02,11.03,8.015,20]henicosa-2(11),3(8),9,15,17,19-hexaen-21-yl] 4-hydroxybenzoate | 10723070 | Click to see | 664.60 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Mahuannin A | 5317052 | Click to see | 544.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavones / Flavonols | |||||
| Kaempferol | 5280863 | Click to see | 286.24 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Quercetin | 5280343 | Click to see | 302.23 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavonoid glycosides / Flavonoid O-glycosides / Flavonoid-3-O-glycosides | |||||
| Isoquercetin | 5280804 | Click to see | 464.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Rutin | 5280805 | Click to see | 610.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
Collections Top
| In private collections | 0 |
| In public collections | 0 |