What is Helleborus foetidus?
Helleborus foetidus , plant origin from Europe, is a member of the buttercup family, ranunculayae , and is more often known as Hellebor, committing Hellebor and Bear's Foot. The plant is toxic and if large quantities are consumed, it is necessary to look for professional care. He got the name of the stinking Hellebor, because if the leaves are crushed, they issue a smell that is similar to the scent of crumbling meat. Although toxic, it is used in some recipes and can be beneficial as laxative and for cardiac conditions. These leaves are usually glossy and strong. Its green bell flowers tend to appear at the end of winter. Flowers flowers bloom on stems that rise high above foliage and have no smell. As an ornamental plant, the Helleborus foetidus is popular because it is evergreen and its color tends to deepen and intensify during the winter months.
Every part of the Helleborus foetidus is toxic. The plant contains toxic glycosides that can cause deLirium, excessive saliva, abdominal cramps and vomiting when ingested in large doses. It can also cause skin irritation.
Helleborus foetidus likes to grow in shady areas and is common to find them in the areas of Scrubland and Woodland. It tends to be a resistant plant and is resistant to drought. Slims can be a problem because they tend to eat their leaves. Ants are often found around the plant and have not only been designed to help the plant by distributing its seeds, but they are elaiosome coating on the seeds. Elaiosomes are fleshy structures that cover seeds and are rich in proteins and lipids.
While the plant is usually considered too dangerous for ingestion, Helleborus foetidus has been part of medical pharmacopeia for centuries. Dioscorides, author of the Greek herbal encyclopedia de Materia Medica , recommended HELLORE for skin diseases and to reduce flegmatt conditions.
This plant contains heart glycosides. They can be used as cardiac stimulants and are similar to digitalis in plant foxglove or digitalis purpurae . Digitalis is a heart glycoside used to increase heart contraction in patients suffering from congestive heart failure.
As a herbal remedy, Helleborus foetidus is also cleansing and diuretic. It has been described as violently narcotic, which means it causes sleep and puts patients on a scale. Its narcotic properties are the reason why they were traditionally used to treat nerve disorders and cases of hysteria. Hysteria is best described as an extreme emotional state of mind, which is characterized by extreme anxiety, nervousness and fear.