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Hellebor 3 e

The Helleborus family, known for its poisonous nature, has a rich history in medicine and magic, dating back to ancient Greece where it was prescribed by Hippocrates. The plant contains toxins such as Helleborin and Helleborcin, which can cause severe poisoning symptoms including tinnitus, vertigo, and cardiac arrest. Additionally, contact with the plant can irritate the skin and eyes, highlighting its dangerous properties.

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16 views1 page

Hellebor 3 e

The Helleborus family, known for its poisonous nature, has a rich history in medicine and magic, dating back to ancient Greece where it was prescribed by Hippocrates. The plant contains toxins such as Helleborin and Helleborcin, which can cause severe poisoning symptoms including tinnitus, vertigo, and cardiac arrest. Additionally, contact with the plant can irritate the skin and eyes, highlighting its dangerous properties.

Uploaded by

Bogi Bertók
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Noble Ruler of Poison Plants, King Hellebore

The Helleborus family has many varieties and hybrid species, and like the other
infamous herbs of the Poison Path it has an extensive history in medicine and
magic. Mention of this plant goes all the way back to ancient Greece, and was said
to have been a common prescription of Hippocrates for insanity and mania. In the
Greek language its name refers directly to its poisonous nature. (helein-“to kill”
and bora “food”) It is also mentioned by Pliny the Elder, Cornelius Agrippa and
found in Faustian rituals of exorcism and the coercion of spirits.

It is a member of the Ranunculaceae family, the Buttercups, which are all generally
poisonous to one degree or another. The toxins within the plant are Helleborin,
which gives the plant its burning-acrid taste. The horrible taste makes it
difficult for one to unintentionally consume enough of the plant to be lethal,
usually resulting in it being spit out before its intense purgative effects set in.
Helleborcin, is another toxin within the plant that has a sweet sort of taste,
acting similar the highly active cardiac poisons found in Digitalis (Foxglove).

Poisoning by this plant causes tinnitus, vertigo, stupor, and thirst. It also
includes a feeling of suffocation, swelling of the tongue and throat, followed by
violent emesis (vomiting) and a slowing of the heart rate until it causes death by
cardiac arrest. It will also burn the eyes and irritate the skin when in direct
content with the juice of the plant, including contact with bruised leaves.
Chemically it is related to the venom found in certain toad skin.

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