Plants native to Asia and North America formerly listed as A. napellus are now regarded as separate species.

[3] Aconitum napellus is grown in gardens in temperate zones for its spiky inflorescences that are showy in mid-autumn, and its attractive foliage.

[4][5] Nine subspecies are accepted by the Flora Europaea:[6] Aconitum napellus is grown in gardens for its attractive spike-like inflorescences and showy blue flowers.

[16] Aconites have been used more recently in murder plots; they contain the chemical alkaloids aconitine, mesaconitine, hypaconitine and jesaconitine, which are highly toxic.

[21] In severe poisonings pronounced motor weakness occurs and cutaneous sensations of tingling and numbness spread to the limbs.

Other drugs used for ventricular arrhythmia include lidocaine, amiodarone, bretylium, flecainide, procainamide, and mexiletine.

[24] Poisoning may also occur following picking the leaves without wearing gloves; the aconitine toxin is absorbed easily through the skin.

Treatment is similar to poisoning caused by oral ingestion and even handling the plant without gloves has been reported to result in multi-organ failure and death.

[25][26] The plant's chief toxic component, aconitine, is a potent neurotoxin that opens tetrodotoxin sensitive sodium channels.