Hell?bore noir
Related Terms
- Anemonic acid, anemonin, bear's-foot, cardioactive saponins, Christ Herbe, Christmas flower, Christmas herb, Christmas rose, Christmas rose plant, helleborein, helleborin, Helleborus niger, Helleborus nigra, melampode, protoanemoni, Ranunculin, ranunculosides, Ranunculaceae (family), saponins, sesquiterpene lactone glycosides, setter grass, setter wort, unsaturated lactone, winter rose.
Background
- Black hellebore (Helleborus niger, Helleborus nigra) is a perennial plant, native to Central and Southern Europe, Greece, and Asia Minor, and is cultivated largely in the United States as a garden plant. Black hellebore is not the same as false hellebore, American hellebore, white hellebore, or other Veratrum species.
- Black hellebore is a poisonous plant that is toxic when taken in even small-to-moderate doses and should not be used without the supervision of a medical professional. It was formerly used for palsy, insanity, dropsy, and epilepsy but is seldom currently used for these or any other uses.
Evidence Table
These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. |
GRADE * |
These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. |
GRADE * | * Key to grades
A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)
| * Key to grades
A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)
| Tradition / Theory
The below uses are based on tradition, scientific theories, or limited research. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. There may be other proposed uses that are not listed below.
Dosing
Adults (18 years and older)
- There is no proven safe or effective dose for black hellebore. Black hellebore has been taken by mouth as a fluid extract, solid extract, powdered root, or decoction. Black hellebore is known to be toxic when taken in even small-to-moderate doses and should not be used without the supervision of a medical professional.
Safety
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not strictly regulate herbs and supplements. There is no guarantee of strength, purity or safety of products, and effects may vary. You should always read product labels. If you have a medical condition, or are taking other drugs, herbs, or supplements, you should speak with a qualified healthcare provider before starting a new therapy. Consult a healthcare provider immediately if you experience side effects.
Interactions
Interactions with Drugs
- Black hellebore may have additive effects with heart stimulants (digoxin), heart depressants (quinine), diuretics, laxatives, drugs used for the stomach, or narcotics.
Attribution
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This information is based on a systematic review of scientific literature edited and peer-reviewed by contributors to the Natural Standard Research Collaboration (www.naturalstandard.com).
Bibliography
Schep, LJ, Schmierer, DM, and Fountain, JS. Veratrum poisoning. Toxicol Rev. 2006;25(2):73-78.