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Hellebore

Useful properties and applications of hellebore


Description hellebore

Hellebore is a perennial grass with high above-ground stem and the underground rhizome short. Has numerous plicate stem leaves and dark red or greenish flowers. On the ends of the stems are beautiful paniculate inflorescences. Currently, there are about 25 different species of hellebore, some of them are actively used in folk medicine.


Useful properties of hellebore

Hellebore was widely known during the Roman Empire. Then it was used mainly for the control of rodents, insects and to rid the animals from parasites. Over time, people discovered the healing properties of this herb, and it has been actively used in folk medicine. This medicinal plant contributed to the speedy cure of scabies, lice and other diseases. Folk healers advised the hellebore with the disease of pneumonia or typhus.

Hellebore contains in its composition of five steroidal alkaloids are, for the most part, in grass roots. Moreover, the concentration of alkaloids depends on the time of year. In addition, in various parts of the plant are tannins, amino acids, glycosides, vitamins, mineral salts, fatty oils, they have a lot of macro - and micronutrients. It should be noted that this plant was excluded from the official Pharmacopoeia due to the high toxicity, but in folk medicine, it continues to apply, albeit very carefully.


The use of hellebore

The hellebore has long proven itself as effective medicines. This medicinal plant can lower blood pressure as it dilates the blood vessels it improves muscle tone and stimulates nervous system. Grass also has antiparasitic, analgesic, antifungal, choleretic, diuretic and sedative.

Eastern medicine recommends the powder of this plant as an effective remedy for toothache.

Irritant and analgesic effect of the herb is useful for external treatment of gout, muscular pain, arthritis, neuralgia, diseases of the musculoskeletal system. Drugs hellebore not assigned inside because of their high toxicity.


Tincture of hellebore

Alcohol tincture of hellebore are an effective tool against painneuralgic, rheumatic, and local character. They can be used in eczema, herpes, dandruff, arthritis and head lice. In addition, they have diuretic, antifungal, sedative effect, exhibit bactericidal activity. When added to the tincture of hellebore vaseline to obtain an ointment for external rubbing, can help with rheumatism.

Recipe of tincture of hellebore. 1 g of crushed roots with rhizomes, pour 120 ml of vodka or coronarienne alcohol and infuse for two weeks. Use the tool exclusively externally.


The root of hellebore

The main medicinal part is its hellebore root with rhizomes. They are usually harvested in the fall, carefully digging out the rhizomes with roots and clearing them from earth. Always remember that when you are grinding raw materials necessary to wear a gauze bandage or other remedies, and upon completion of work wash hands thoroughly with soap and water. It is necessary for protection because the plant is very poisonous: in case of contact with eyes can cause severe irritation of the mucous or other unpredictable reactions.

After collecting and processing the material is left to dry in the dryer or laid out in a room with good ventilation. Folk medicine uses the rhizome of hellebore to prepare tinctures, decoctions and ointments, with various useful properties.

White hellebore

This hellebore is a perennial plant, reaching a height of over one meter. He has short fleshy rhizome, which depart from the multiple roots not exceeding 20 cm in length and 3 mm in width. The grass leaves alternate, sessile, with solid edges up to 30 cm in length. The flowers of the plant size does not exceed one centimeter, the inflorescence form a long many-flowered panicle. White hellebore inhabits mountainous areas, it can be found in the Jura and Alpine meadows.

This herb boasts high content of alkaloids and other beneficial compounds. Because of this it is often used in folk medicine and veterinary medicine in the form of alcoholic tinctures, decoctions and ointments, used externally only.


Hellebore Lobel

Hellebore Lobel – a perennial herb. In height it does not exceed two meters, has inconspicuous greenish flowers, large leaves and a strong stem.The fruits represent boxes with small seeds. All parts of this herb is very poisonous. It grows in mixed and coniferous forests. It can be found in the Caucasus, the far East, in Siberia and throughout Europe.

Hellebore Lobel contains in its composition of mineral salts, amino acids, vitamins, and beneficial to human body micro and macro elements. The plant has the ability to lower blood pressure.


Contraindications to the use of hellebore

Hellebore is a poisonous plant threat, so you should be exclusively externally. Dust of root of this plant in Airways causes a burning sensation in the mouth, sneezing, discomfort in the throat. Categorically prohibited the use of hellebore during pregnancy, lactation, and severe cardiovascular diseases. Before using this plant is important to consult a doctor.