Hellebore roots

Eratz-kupfer, n. copper from waste, -messing, n. brass cuttings, -wurzel, /. white hellebore (root). 

Hellebore root has been the psychopharmaceutical agent par excellence at various times. It is a plant of the Ranunculaceae family, the roots of which, as we now know, contain several glycosides, some of them rather toxic. White hellebore was traditionally used as an emetic (Vomitivum) and black hellebore as a laxative (Purgativum) in both cases the guiding principle was that a mental illness has a physical cause that can be treated by physical effects,... 

Resveratrol has a long history. It was initially isolated from the roots of white hellebore in 1940. No one paid much attention. In 1963, it was isolated from a plant used for centuries in traditional Japanese and Chinese medicine. Again, this did not attract much attention. The story got a lot hotter in 1992 when the presence of resveratrol in red wine was suggested to be associated with the cardioprotective effects of red wine. 

Other plants known to contain psychoactive compounds include hellebore, which was used for centuries in Europe to treat mania, violent temper, mental retardation and epilepsy. However, a drug of major importance in modern psychopharmacology arose from the discovery by medicinal chemists of the alkaloids of Rauwolfia serpentina, a root which had been used in the Indian subcontinent for centuries, not only for the treatment of snake bite but also for alleviating "insanity". Understandably, the mechanism of action of reserpine, the alkaloid purified from Rauwolfia serpentina, helped to lay the basis to psychopharmacology by demonstrating how the depletion of central and peripheral stores of biogenic amines was correlated with a reduction in blood pressure and tranquillization. 

You can also prepare your own plant extract, as in the reference below. Use a plant species that herbivores avoid snch as spurges Euphorbia spp.) or false hellebore Veratrum viride). Separate plant parts such as leaves, stems, and roots. Grind plant parts separately with ethyl acetate in a blender. (In onr work, we extracted 60 g of roots of Euphorbia lathyris with 2(X)-ml ethyl acetate. For about 300 g plant tops we used 400-nil ethyl acetate.) Filter the extract, discard the plant tissue. 

The rhizome and root of Veratmm album (white hellebore) and the rhizome of Veratrum viride (green hellebore) contain many alkaloids, including hypotensive ester alkaloids and jervine. Veratrum califomicum contains the alkaloids cyclopamine, cycloposine, and jervine. 

Several species of false hellebore ( Vera-trum spp.) contain highly poisonous alkaloids with insecticidal properties. Harvested and dried, the powdered roots of these lily like plants yield an insecticide that poisons chewing insects. 

How to Use You can grow your own false hellebore and collect the roots for drying and grinding into powder, but be aware of its toxicity. To make a spray for controlling insect pests on garden plants, mix 1 ounce with 2 gallons of water. Or, mix the powder with flour or hydrated lime to make an insecticidal dust. Since it loses effectiveness quickly, repeated applications may be necessary. 

HELLEBORUS NIGER. Black hellebore. Helleborus niger. W. II. 1336. Radix. The root. 

Veratrum album. White hellebore. Veratrum album. W. IV. 895. Radix. The root. 

Common Names False Hellebore, Hellebore Poke Poison Jervine Dosage i/.4oz(iiG) Root, 7-io/.9oz(25G) Young Shoots... 

Resveratrol (82) is a polyphenolic antioxidant found in many plants, including grapes, nuts, and berries. First isolated in 1940 from the roots of white hellebore Veratrum grandiflorum), it has gained prominence through its association with the highly publicized French Paradox linked to the drinking of red wine. There is an extensive literature on the multiple health benefits attributed to resveratrol and interested readers are referred to several recent reviews that summarize the available data. ... 

Hellebore The dried rhizome and roots of any medicinal herb of the genus Helteborus. especially white hellebore, containing a number of alkaloids, as veretrlne, etc., which acts as a sedative end e depressant. Used ex-temally as a oarasiticids and Insecticide pokeroot pokeweed. 

Norwood s Tincture of Vera-truiu Viride (American Hellebore), Macerate 8 ounces of the recently dried, coarsely powdered root, in 16 ounces of alcohol for 14 days express and filter throngh paper. (Am. Dis.) ... 

Indian Remedy for Blieuxna tism. Macerate the following ingredients for a few days in 1 quart rye whiskey 1 onnee bark of waboo root, 1 ounce blood root, 2 ounces black cohosh root. 4 ounce swamp hellebore, 1 ounce prickly- asi. b rk, and 1 ounce poke root cut fine. Dose, 1 tea spoonful every 3 or 4 hours, increasing the dose os tho stomach will bear it. 

Veratrum viride. American hellebore green hellebore American veratrum Indian poke. Dried rhizome and roots of Veratrum viride Ait., Liliaceae. Habit. North America. Constit. The alkaloids jervine, pseudojervine, rubijervine, cevadine, germitrine. germidine, veratralbine, veratroidine. See Seiferle et ai.. J. Econ. E-stomol 35, 35 (1942) Fried el al. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 72, 4621 (1950). Review Kupchan, J. Pharm Sci 50, 273-287 (]961). 

Stilbenes are characterised by two benzene rings—one of which is usually phenolic—in a CgC2Cg arrangement (Waterman and Mole 1994). The compounds were first studied for their antifungal effects in eucalypt trees and the wood of grapevines. The compound of most interest is resveratrol, a hydroxystilbene first isolated from the roots of the white hellebore (Veratrum album var. grandiflorum). 

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