PDR for Herbal Medicines

HERBAL MONOGRAPHS WHITE HELLEBORE/803

plasma volume expanders should be infused. Monitoring of

kidney function is necessary. Intubation and oxygen respira-

tion may also be required.

DOSAGE

Mode of Administration: Liquid preparations for internal and

external use.

Daily Dosage:

Drops — 4 drops, 3 times daily in water or with sugar

Inhalation — add a few drops to hot water; and inhale

several times daily

Lotion — rub into the affected parts

Storage: Keep sealed tightly and protected from light.

LITERATURE

Aronow WS, Starling L. Etienne F, D'Alba P, Edwards M. Lee

NH, Pamngao RF, Sales FF, Risk factors for atherothrombotic

brain infarction in persons over 62 years of age in a long-term

healthcare facility. J Am Geriatr Soc, 35:1-3, 1987 Jan.

Faure-Raynaud M, Determination of the chitinolytic activity of

'Abies alba Mill, litter microorganisms: bacteria and yeasts

(author's transl) Ann Microbiol (Paris), 132B:267-79. 1981 Sep-

Oct.

Faure-Raynaud M, Study of volatile oil from Abies alba Miller.

White Hellebore

Veratrum album

DESCRIPTION

Medicinal Parts: The medicinal parts are the rhizome and

root.

Flower and Fruit: The flowers are in racemes forming a 30
to 60 cm long panicle. The pedicles are much shorter than
the flowers. The yellowish-white flowers consist of 6 similar
tepals, which are oblong-lanceolate, acute, denticulate and
broadly splayed. There are 6 stamens, which are shorter than
the perigone, and 3 styles. The fruit is capsule-like.

Leaves, Stem and Root: The plant is roughly 60 to 120 cm

high. The rhizome is short, cylindrical and stunted. It has

numerous, long, thick and fleshy root fibers. The round,

cane-like, glabrous stem is almost completely surrounded by

the tight sheaths of the basal leaves. The basal leaves are

whorled, broad, elliptical to linear-lanceolate and heavily

ribbed.

Habitat: The plant is found from Lapland to Italy but not on

the British Isles.

Production: White Hellebore root-stock is the rhizome of

Veratrum album.

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS

Steroid alkaloids (mixture is referred to as veratrine, 0.8-

2.5%): C-nor-D-homo-sterane type-including protoverine,

protoveratrines A and B, germerine, jervine. protoverine,

veratroyl zygadenine

Solidane type-including isorubijervine, rubijerxine

EFFECTS

Internally, the drug reduces blood pressure and heart rate,

inhibits respiration in higher doses, and has an aconitine-like

effect on the conductor system. Externally, the drug causes

severe irritation to the skin, including numbing and poison-

ing through absorption.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Unproven Uses: Internally, White Hellebore is used for the

treatment of vomiting, cramps, diarrhea, cholera, bradycardia

and Graves' disease. Externally, the drug is used for

neuralgia, rheumatism, joint pain and gout pain.

Homeopathic Uses: White Hellebore is used for neuralgia,

infections, diarrhea, low blood pressure and as a stimulant.

PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS

The drug is severely toxic and has numerous severe side

effects, even at therapeutic dosages. It is no longer adminis-

tered in allopathic medicine for that reason. The veratrum

alkaloids severely irritate mucous membranes. By inhibiting

inactivation of sodium ion channels, the resorption of

alkaloids has a paralyzing effect on numerous excitable cells,

particularly those governing cardiac activity.

OVERDOSAGE

The first symptoms of poisoning are sneezing, lacrimation,

salivation, vomiting, diarrhea, a burning sensation in the

mouth and pharyngeal cavity, and inability to swallow. Then,

following resorption, paresthesia, vertigo, possible blindness,

paralysis of the limbs, mild convulsions, lowering of cardiac

frequency, cardiac arrhythmias and hypotension occur.

Death occurs either through systolic cardiac arrest or through

asphyxiation. The lethal dosage is between 10 and 20 mg of

I. Study of raw material Acta Pol Pharm, I32B:71-7. 1970.

Faure-Raynaud M. Study of volatile oil from sprigs of Abies

alba Miller. II. Study of monoterpene fractions of oil, Acta Pol

Pharm, 132B: 155-62, 1970.

Faure-Raynaud M, Study of volatile oil of fir branches Abies

alba Miller. 3. Study of non-monoterpene fraction and gas

chromatography of oil. Acta Pol Pharm, 132B:301-5, 1970.

Hansel R, Keller K, Rimpler H, Schneider G (Ed) Hagers

Handbuch der Pharmazeutischen Praxis. 5. AufL, Bde 4-6

(Drogen), Springer Verlag Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, 1992-

1994.