Steinmetz:Helleborus

Helleborus foetidus

Also known as (or relevant to) Helleborus foetidus Family Ranunculaceae English Names Stinking Hellebore Setterwort Natural Habitat Central and Southern Europe Part(s) Used Radix Hellebori foetidi

Constituent(s) helleborein helleborin Action vermifuge emmenagogue cardiac toxic

Helleborus niger

Also known as (or relevant to) Helleborus niger Family Ranunculaceae English Names Black Christmas-Rose Black Hellebore Natural Habitat Central and Southern Europe (in the mountains) India Part(s) Used Rhizoma Hellebori nigri

Constituent(s) helleborin helleborein essential oil fatty oil acids saponin resin colouring matter Action powerful cathartic diuretic emmenagogue cardiac nervine hydragogue anthelmintic; in large doses an acro-narcotic poison

Links

• Information in Von Esenbeck's book

Helleborus viridis

Also known as (or relevant to) Helleborus viridis Family Ranunculaceae English Names Green Hellebore Natural Habitat Central Europe (mainly in the Alps and in the woods) North America Part(s) Used Rhizoma Hellebori viridis

Constituent(s) essential oil saponin helleborein helleborin celliamin sprinrillamin sprintillin sprintillamin resin fat colouring matter Action emmenagogue nervine cardiac diuretic sternutatory toxic