 |
| Helleborus niger |
Hell.
Borage and hellebore fill two scenes,
Sovereign plants to purge the veins
Of melancholy, and cheer the heart
Of those black fumes which make it smart.
[Burton, Anatomy of Melancholy]
Signs
Helleborus niger. Christmas Rose. Black Hellebore. N.O. Ranunculaceae.
CLASSIFICATION Helleborus is included in the Ranunculaceae or Buttercup family. Comprising over 1800 species in about 50 genera, the family is centred in temperate and cold regions of the northern and southern hemispheres. It contains a number of very poisonous plants, such as Helleborus and Aconitum, and a number of well-known garden ornamentals. The plants are mostly herbs, rarely woody climbers, such as Clematis. Certain members of the Ranunculaceae are very early blooming, particularly the Hellebores, which brave winter’s cold and bear shade with a tolerance shown by few other plants. As a result of modern hybridization there are countless new Helleborus varieties in a wide range of flower colours.
SUBFAMILIES The family is divided up into two subfamilies and five tribes. The subfamily Helleboroideae comprises the tribes Helleboreae [flowers regular] and Delphinieae [flowers irregular]. The latter contains such genera as Aconitum and Delphinium; this, in homoeopathy, makes remedies like Aconitum and Staphisagria indirectly related to Helleborus. From a botanical point of view, Helleborus should therefore be first differentiated with the other members of the Helleboreae, which include Actaea [Cimicifuga], Aquilegia, Caltha, Eranthis, Nigella, Trollius, and Xanthorrhiza.
GENUS The genus contains 15-20 species of rhizomatous herbs with compound, typically leathery leaves, and regular bisexual flowers that bear five showy sepals, many funnel-shaped nectaries and numerous stamens. Their foliage is usually evergreen, each leaf deeply cut into segments which are occasionally spiny and the blooms persist for months. Helleborus species have an oil-containing swelling on the raphe which attracts ants which then disperse the seeds. The various species in this genus hybridize freely.
NIGER Helleborus niger, the Christmas Rose, is a native of central and south Europe, but is also found in the northern United States and Canada, where it blooms from late fall through early spring, often in the snow. It has deep green leaves divided into oval segments – its groups of leaflets resemble fingers on a hand – and stems up to 30 centimetres high, carrying large white, saucer-shaped flowers filled with bright golden stamens. At first white, the flowers change to a pale red and finally a dusky purple. The plant is found in woods and thickets, mainly in mountains, on calcareous soils; sometimes also found in grassland. It likes lime and needs well-drained soil in partial shade. Plants resent root disturbance and are slow to re-establish when divided [in the garden]. Horticulturists consider Helleborus niger a “greedy plant” because it inhibits the growth of nearby plants, especially legumes, by producing numerous fibres that descend deep into the soil.
 |
| Helleborus niger |
NAME The black hellebore acquires its specific name from the black colour of its roots. Its Latin name derives from helleboros, the Greek name for Helleborus orientale. The Greek word helleboros, however, may also refer to other related as well as unrelated plants, such as Helleborus foetidus [stinking hellebore], Helleborus viridis [green hellebore], Eranthis hyemalis [winter hellebore; same subfamily as Helleborus], Adonis autumnale [false hellebore], Veratrum album [white hellebore; belongs to the lily family!], and Veratrum viride [American green hellebore]. The name Christmas Rose alludes to its usually producing its rose-like flowers during the winter. Gerard suggests that it so called because it ‘bloweth about the birth of Our Lord Jesus Christ’. In the Christian tradition, a medieval nativity play tells of the origin of the plant. “It is said that a young country girl who accompanied the shepherds when they visited Jesus in the stable wept because she had no gift to offer the baby. An angel, seeing her sorrow, led her from the stable, and on touching the cold earth a Christmas rose appeared. With joy, the girl was able to offer that flower as her token, and it has become an emblem of the Nativity. The flower is also dedicated to St Agnes, patron saint of young virgins, and in some parts of the UK is known as St Agnes flower.”1
CONSTITUENTS All parts of the plant contain the cardiac glycosides helleborin and hellebrin, and further ecdysone, saponins, and protoanemonin. The ash contains significant amounts of calcium phosphate. Helleborin is a potent narcotic, while hellebrin is listed as a digitalic, narcotic and said to possess anticarcinomic properties. In its role as a digitalic it also can function as a purgative. In the 20th century, the cardiac glycosides in the leaves was tried as heart stimulant for the elderly, but these attempts were soon given up again.
EFFECTS Black hellebore is a drastic cathartic, and is reputed to possess emmenagogue powers, but the latter is probably due to its purgative effects. In smaller doses it is a cardiac stimulant, and diuretic and anthelmintic properties are also ascribed to it. In large doses, it is a powerful poison, causing gastrointestinal inflammation, dizziness, painful spasms, severe emesis, catharsis, heart failure, dilatation of the pupils, thirst with abdominal heat, cold sweats, convulsions, and even death. Death occurs from spasms and exhaustion. The fresh root produces rubefaction, and sometimes blisters, when held in contact with the skin. 2 The latter effect is due to the protoanemonin content of the plant, a compound also found in ‘blister beetles’ [Cantharis].
HISTORY Helleborus niger was a known abortifacient and emmenagogue. Dioscorides mentioned it as a component of abortion wine. Hellebore is one of the four classic poisons. Attalus III, who was the last King of Pergamos and who died in 134 BC, was reputed to have made use of three of them: henbane [Hyoscyamus], hemlock [Conium], and hellebore for the removal of his ‘friends’. [The fourth of ‘his plants hardly admitted within the walls of Paradise’ was aconite.] Pliny [AD 23-79] claimed that black hellebore was used to treat mental conditions as early as 1400 BC. The plant was believed to expel black bile, which, according to the Theory of the Four Humours, causes insanity. Greek philosophers reportedly drank an infusion of the herb before they commenced the work of intensive mental labour. The ancient Romans employed the drug for epilepsy and melancholy. Paracelsus claimed “rejuvenating effects” in people who took the herb in increasing doses after their 60th birthday. He also recommended its use for epilepsy, podagra, cerebral haemorrhage, and dropsy. In medieval folk medicine an infusion of the root was used for treating hysteria, epilepsy, melancholy, menstrual disorders, constipation, hepatic disorders, jaundice, dropsy, gout and rheumatism.
MYTHOLOGY The ancient Greeks ascribed to Helleborus substantial curative effects for mental disorders, e.g. insanity. As a cure for the insane it was called melampode, after Melampus, a famous soothsayer and physician of Greek legend. Melampus [literally: black foot] saved the young of some snakes killed by his servants, looking after them until they were fully grown. Because of his kindness, the snakes licked his ears one night as he slept, thus giving him the art of divination. After this he could understand the language of birds and animals, so could learn the future from them and foretell it to men. With the milk of a goat, that had eaten hellebore leaves, Melampus cured the daughters of Proetus, king of Argos. Afflicted with madness, the daughters roamed over the country in a wild and unseemly fashion, divesting themselves of their clothes. 3 Heracles as well was cured of a fit of frenzy by melampode.
FOLKLORE “Hellebores have a romantic history and for centuries were thought to cure madness and counteract witchcraft. Pieces of root were inserted in a hole cut through the ear or dewlap of a sick animal with the idea of warding off the evil spells. On its removal twenty-four hours later the trouble was supposed to be cured. It is certainly a highly poisonous plant with various medicinal applications including that of a heart stimulant. Collectors in ancient times adopted stringent precautions, first circling the plant with a sword and then lifting the roots while chanting prayers to Apollo. At the same time they kept a wary eye open for eagles for, should one of these birds come near, the gatherer would die within the year. Christmas Roses are still planted near cottage doors, a link with the past when they were often set near the threshold to prevent evil spirits from entering.”4 Medieval superstition has it that toads obtained their toxicity from the plant Christmas Rose because they were frequently found under it. Interestingly, the chemical substance hellebrin isolated from the plant is chemically identical to bufadienolide isolated from the toad. Another legend tells that one will be invisible when scattering powdered black hellebore before one’s feet when walking.
SIGNATURE “For many decades now, and perhaps even longer, Helleborus niger has been a plant almost forgotten by medicine. … Emil Schlegel tries to regain a new understanding for the black hellebore, and sums up his thoughts as follows: ‘How then can we get a picture of the protective strength of Helleborus as a remedy? No doubt it has a kind of diminished toxic effect. The remedy directs its attacks or stimuli at all regions of the body, and thus evokes the response of the organism. It organizes, so to speak, in later age the home guards of self-defence, and its energies correspond more to the faint disorders of the ageing organism than to the stormy attacks of the affections and inflammations typical of the time of youth. A slowing down, a wearing out of the functions is characteristic of Helleborus … ‘ … The special characteristic of the Christmas rose is seen in its peculiar mode of life. It is not an herb which takes part in the annual rhythm of dying and becoming; on the contrary, it tries to create a rhythm of its own which is expressed by the fact that it blooms in winter. … After fertilization, which usually occurs by self-pollination, the flowers do not wither away, but turn green and thus reveal their true nature; they were not really petals, but sepals. … The development and completion of the leaves in a single plant takes many years; they gradually increase in size and at the same time divide more and more into separate fingers. Only when this process of development is completed do the flowers open. … Anyone able to watch a large number of Christmas roses through the years cannot fail to observe the strange individuality of each plant. … In this way the Christmas rose not only shows a kind of individualistic tendency towards the rhythm of the year, but also tries to be a ‘self’ among the members of its own species.”5
PROVINGS •• [1] Hahnemann – 9 provers; method: unknown.
•• [2] Lembke – self-experimentation; method: proving with powdered root made into pills with liquorice, each containing 1 grain, took first day 1, second day 2, third 3, fifth 3, sixth 5, eighth 6, tenth 7, fifteenth 8, twentieth 10, twenty-fifth 10, twenty-seventh 12, thirty-sixth 12 pills; afterward took extract with liquorice.
•• [3] Schroff – experiments on three healthy men, 1859; method: watery and alcoholic extracts in doses of 5 to 29 grains.
Allen includes, as sources 28, 29, 30 and 31, Schroff’s experiments on 4 mentally ill people – the first suffers from “insane melancholy, obstinate constipation, and diminished secretion”; the second suffers from “imbecility following puerperal melancholy”; the third has “disturbances of digestions, secretions and excretions”; and the fourth suffers from “religious melancholy.”
[1] Addison, The Illustrated Plantlore. [2] King’s American Dispensatory. [3] March, Dictionary of Classical Mythology. [4] Perry, Flowers of the World. [5] König, The Signature of the Christmas Rose [Helleborus niger]; BHJ, October 1959.
Affinity
MIND. BRAIN. Sensorium. Nerves; motor; sensory. Membranes [serous; mucous]. Kidneys. Muscles. Exudations. * Left side. Right side.
Modalities
Worse: Cold air. Puberty. Dentition. Suppressions. Exertion. Evening [4-8 p.m.]. Evening until morning. Uncovering.
Better: Strong attention; distraction. Open air.
Main symptoms
M STUPOR; INDIFFERENCE; involuntary sighing.
Apathetic silence.
• “This remedy intervenes at the deepest levels of depression, even the most severe depressive states, when all hope seems lost and the ill person is in a stupor, out of touch with the world, rocking back and forth in endless, rhythmic motions. Such is the case, for example, with certain children who suffer from hospitalism. Abandoned in an institution due to a physical or social disability, surrounded by a sterilized, mechanized world – a veritable emotional desert – the infant regresses, and remains lying in bed, rolling his head back and forth. These rhythmic movements probably approach the rhythms of the mother’s body [heartbeat, breathing, etc.] perceived by the child in utero. In addition, we observe grinding of the teeth, a putrid odour to the breath, hypersalivation, and the cri encéphalique.” [Grandgeorge]
Homesickness. Cheerful faces increase his woe.
• “On seeing a happy person he becomes melancholy and then only he feels very unhappy.” [Hahnemann]
M SLOW and FORGETFUL. DULL; sensation as if head is empty.
Inability to process information transmitted by sensory organs.
• “From various observations, I infer that stupor, obtuseness of the inner sensibility [sensorium commune], in which, though the sight is good, one sees only imperfectly and does not observe what one sees; though the auditory apparatus is good, one hears or comprehends nothing distinctly; though the gustatory organs are all right, one relishes nothing; is always or often without thought, remembers little or not at all what has quite recently occurred, has no pleasure in anything, slumbers but lightly, and does not sleep soundly or refreshingly, attempts to work but without giving attention or energy to it – are primary effects of hellebore.” [Hahnemann]
M Strong concentration >.
Thinking of complaints >.
Muscles refuse to obey the will when attention is turned away.
Staggering when walking inattentively; awkward, drops things.
Has to CONCENTRATE on EVERYTHING HE DOES.
M Feeling of HELPLESSNESS.
M Sadness and despair.
• “Sad disposition respecting his present position, everything seems to him so insipid and nothing interests him.” [Hahnemann]
• “Especially after debilitating illness such as typhoid fever or in amenorrhoea setting in after menstruation has just started. There is no wailing or wringing of hands, as with Aurum met., but the subject just sits in apathetic silence. Attempts at consolation are resented and only make matters worse.” [Gibson]
G Empty feeling in stomach and aversion to eat.
or
Full feeling in stomach and ravenous hunger.
G Food.
• “Loathing of green vegetables and sauerkraut, with good appetite for bread and meat [for more than a week].”
• “Loathing of fat meat [for more than a week], whereas bread and lean meat taste well.” [Hahnemann]
G CHILLINESS and coldness.
< COLD AIR. < Part of body becoming cold. • “Convulsions and extreme coldness of body, except head or occiput which may be hot.” [Mathur] G Aversion to drink alternating with THIRST. • “Greedily swallows cold water, but remains unconscious.” [Kent] G Sleepiness, dullness or stupor after brain surgery. G < 4 – 8 p. m, esp. dulness, fever. G < Room full of people. G Wandering pains. • “The pains in joints jump from one part to another. … Suddenly violent pressure in r. upper arm, and the head symptoms go off, but soon return when the pain in arm ceases, and then head symptoms alternate with pain in knee, in r. leg, in l. hand, and upper arm.” [Hughes] G Dark. • “A dark, dusky remedy: dark face, sooty nostrils, dark lips, hands, etc.” [Boger] P Brain troubles and dilated nostrils, wrinkled forehead and suppressed urine. P CONCUSSION of brain where after Arn. the stupefaction, dullness or sleepiness remain [from dropsy of brain]. Gradual general decline since head injury. [Due to this slow development the connection between the presenting state and the head injury can be easily missed.] Main remedy for chronic ill effects of head injuries in children. [Foubister] * Samant reports the case of a 32-year old male with gradually increasing mental depression. “At the age of ten he had fallen from the 4th floor of a building. He was hospitalised. He was unconscious for a month and was totally disfigured. He regained consciousness gradually. … Therefore I was looking for a drug related to head injury which also has a slow gradual pace. … [Prescription:] Helleborus niger M 2 doses, repeated every 15 days for 2 months. Thereafter Helleborus 10M 2 doses monthly. Recovery started immediately, but patient took 1 year to recover fully.”1 P Audible inspiration. • “At every inspiration a rattling in throat, as from there, not observed during expiration; it sounded like the opening and shutting of a ventilator. On inspiring, the respiratory passages seemed to be narrowed, and the act of inspiration, in place of being noiseless, was audible as after running when catarrh is present.” [Hughes] [1] Samant, A Case of Mental Depression; HL 1/95. Rubrics Mind Ailments from homesickness [1]. Anger, from interruption [2]. Answering, answers confusedly as though thinking of something else [2], reflecting long [3], repeats the question first [1], stupor returns quickly after answering [2]. Anxiety, > breathing deeply [1]. Aversion to being approached by persons [1]. Confusion, muscles refuse to obey when attention is turned away [2]. Sensation as if he could do great deeds [1]. Delusions, being doomed [1], everything is new [2]. he is doing something wrong [1]. Dulness, says nothing [2]. Envy, on seeing other people happy [1/1]. Indifference, to external impressions [2], to his family [1], to joy and suffering [1], to loved ones [3]. Sadness, on seeing others happy [1]. Thoughtless staring [3]. Thinking of complaints < [2], > [2].
Vertigo
Bending head forward > [1*]. Sitting with head bent forward > [1*].
Head
Brain in front seems too large, while occiput feels empty [1/1]. Heat, < thinking of it [1/1]. Heaviness, < thinking of it [2/1]. Pain, on thinking of pain [2]. Vision Everything looks too bright [1*]. Colours, black rings [1]. Lost, at night [1], while walking [1]. Nose Picking nose, in brain affections [2]. Face Wrinkled, forehead, in brain symptoms [2], in headache [1]. Stomach Nausea, on blowing nose [2], from pressure on stomach [1], > sitting with head bent forward [1*], sudden, while eating [2]. Pain, cramping, > straightening up [1; Dios.*].
Abdomen
Feeling of disagreeable relaxation of abdomen, after emission of flatus [1*], > pressure [1*].
Rectum
Constriction, feeling as if anus were completely closed [1*].
Bladder
Urging to urinate, when thinking of it [1].
Limbs
Awkwardness, hands, when diverted or talking [3].
Sleep
Sleepiness, when alone [2].
Generals
Convulsions, noise arrests the paroxysm [2/1]. Painlessness of complaints usually painful [2].
* Repertory additions [Hughes].
Food
Aversion: [3]: Apples. [2]: Alcohol; fruit; green vegetables. [1]: Fats and rich food; meat; meat, fat; sauerkraut; water.
Desire: [2]: Cold drinks. [1]: Alcohol; bread; bread and butter; meat, lean.
Worse: [2]: Fat; hot food; vegetables. [1]: Beans and peas; bread and butter; butter; cabbage; cold food; flatulent food; hot drinks; milk; sauerkraut; warm food.
Better: [1]: Cold food; hot food; vinegar.