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Black hellebore

Black hellebore ( black hel lebore ) is a plant whose leaves, root and root stem are used to make medicine. Despite serious safety concerns, black hellebore is used for nausea, worms, kidney infections, colds and constipation. Women use black hellebore to regulate their menstrual periods and induce abortion.

How does black hellebore work?

There is not enough information to say how black hellebore might work for any disease.

How effective is black hellebore?

There is not enough scientific data to say how effective black hellebore is for treating nausea, worms, kidney infections, colds, constipation, irregular menstrual periods and inducing abortion. Further scientific research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of black hellebore in these applications.

Safety and side effects

Black hellebore is not safe or harmless; it contains chemicals that can cause a dangerous irregular heartbeat.

Precautions and warnings

Although black hellebore is not safe for anyone, some people are particularly sensitive to its harmful effects. One should be especially careful when using black hellebore if any of the points below apply.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding: The use of black hellebore is not safe for pregnant or breastfeeding women. Black hellebore can cause a dangerous irregular heartbeat and miscarriages. Stomach and digestive tract disorders: Black hellebore is not safe to use if you suffer from a disease or disorder that affects the digestive system.

Heart disease: The use of black hellebore is not safe and harmless if you suffer from heart disease, as black hellebore can aggravate heart disease.

Interactions

Care should be taken when combining black hellebore with the following medications:

Antibiotics (macrolide antibiotics)

Black hellebore can affect the heart. Some antibiotics may increase the amount of hellebore absorbed by the body. Taking black hel lebore in combination with some of these antibiotics could increase the effects and side effects of black hellebore.

Antibiotics (tetracyline antibiotics)

Taking certain antibiotics in combination with black hellebore could increase the risk of black hellebore side effects. Some antibiotics that interact with black hellebore include demeclocycline, minocycline and tetracycline.

Quinine

Black hellebore can affect the heart. Quinine can also affect the heart. Taking quinine in combination with black hellebore could cause serious heart problems.

Stimulating laxatives

Black hellebore can affect the heart. The heart uses potassium. Laxatives, known as stimulant laxatives, can lower potassium levels in the body. Low potassium levels can increase the risk of serious side effects from black hellebore.

Dehydrating agents (diuretics)

Black hellebore can affect the heart. Diuretics can lower potassium levels in the body. Low potassium levels can also affect the heart and increase the risk of black hellebore side effects.

Dosage

An appropriate dosage of black hellebore depends on various factors such as age, health status and others. At the present time, there is insufficient scientific data to make a statement about appropriate dosage ranges for black hellebore. For this reason, you should follow the dosage instructions on the label and/or consult a doctor or pharmacist before use.

References

  1. Burnham TH, ed. Drug Facts and Comparisons, Updated Monthly. Facts and Comparisons, St. Louis, MO.
  2. Foster S, Tyler VE. Tyler's Honest Herbal, 4th ed, Binghamton, NY: Haworth Herbal Press, 1999.