Medicinal uses Adonis vernalis contains cardiac glycosides that improve the cardiac efficiency by increasing its output and reducing heart rate. These glycosides also have a sedative effect and are often prescribed to patients whose hearts are beating irregularly or at an increased rate. Tinctures of Adonis vernalis are also used by homeopathic physicians in patients that are suffering from congestive cardiac failure and its action is very similar to digitalis (another drug that stimulates the heart muscle). Aqueous extracts of Adonis vernalis were found to have cardiac stimulant effects on isolated heart preparations and it also showed that production of excessive and high potassium concentrations protects against heart failure. The plant also contains some flavones with pharmacological activities, including antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, neuro and cardioprotective, and anti-allergic properties. See also List of poisonous plants References External links Adonis vernalis in Topwalks vernalis Plants described in 1753 Taxa named by Carl Linnaeus