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Table 3 Preparation of ethanolic extracts from the roots of Aconitum spp. and their medicinal use as reported by 7 informants who were somewhat uncertain in describing the preparation; they knew the ethanolic extract from the narration of their parents, grandparents, or acquaintances or they had observed the preparation as children
From: Rare tradition of the folk medicinal use of Aconitum spp. is kept alive in Solčavsko, Slovenia
| Informant | Preparation of the extract | Dosage | Use | Interesting features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
B (woman, interviewed in Luče, 88 years old) | 1 root was macerated in 250 ml of schnapps | Horses: 10 drops on bread | VET: hives and cold in horses | The informant’s husband prepared the extract for horses. |
|
C (man, 64 years old) | Roots were macerated in a large half-liter bottle |
Adults: 5–10 drops Children: not more than 3 drops | MED: fever and cough | The informant described the preparation after narration of a woman who was requesting aconite. |
|
K (woman, 78 years old) | 2 roots the size of a finger were soaked in 1 l of schnapps |
Adults: 3 drops Children: 2 drops | MED: fever | The informant did not prepare the extract by herself |
|
L (woman, 73 years old) | 3 cm of a root was soaked in 1 dl of schnapps and placed in a dark room for 3 weeks |
Adults: 5 to 7 drops Drops were placed in water. It was not good if drops were placed in tisane | MED: fever, for (physical) strength (chronic use) | The informant did not prepare the extract by herself. Her parents had it at their home. |
|
M (woman, 69 years old) | A root that was long as a little finger was macerated in a large half-liter bottle of schnapps |
Adults: 2 to 3 drops Children: a drop less than for adults |
MED: fever VET: indigestion in livestock and strength in livestock | In the informant’s childhood, her mother prepared the extract. |
|
N (woman, 75 years old) | 1 tablespoon of sliced roots was placed into 2 dl of schnapps | A few drops were placed in water and drunk |
MED: fever VET: for weakened animals | The informant did not prepare the extract; her mother advised her to prepare it. |
|
G (woman, 87 years old) | 2 dl of roots was placed into a large half-liter bottle of schnapps and left to soak for 14 days |
Adults: not more than 5 drops Children: just a small amount | MED: severe illnesses, fever, and inflammation | |
|
A (woman, 82 years old) | 3 sliced roots were placed into half a liter of schnapps |
Adults: 6 to 8 drops Children: half as much as for adults | MED: fever, various diseases | The last time the informant prepared the extract was in 1946. |
| E (woman, 83 years old) | 2 to 3 roots were placed into half a liter of schnapps; the roots filled almost half the bottle; the soaking time was short |
Adults: 9 drops Children: 3 drops Drops were placed in water and drunk | MED: prevention of diseases, fever, influenza, treatment of headache (lubrication of the forehead); “good for everything” | The last time the informant used the extract was 50 to 60 years ago; she prepared it herself. |
