Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 1

Hellebore refers to several species in the genera Helleborus and Veratrum, both of which have been historically used in European and Greek traditional medicine. The use of hellebore for treating heart “weakness” or related cardiac conditions originated in antiquity, particularly in the writings of Hippocrates and Dioscorides. Black hellebore (Helleborus niger) and white hellebore (Veratrum album) were both described as potent medicinal plants, though their main traditional uses were as purgatives and for treating mental illness and dropsy (edema), the latter of which is sometimes a symptom of heart failure. These uses persisted into medieval and early modern herbal texts. However, hellebore is highly toxic, and both genera contain cardiac glycosides and alkaloids that can cause bradycardia, arrhythmias, and even death. Modern scientific studies have not validated the use of hellebore for strengthening the heart or treating cardiac weakness; instead, the plant’s toxicity is well documented, and it is not recommended in modern medical practice. Thus, any use to “support” the heart is based on traditional practices rather than scientific evidence, and the clear risks outweigh any unproven benefits.

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