Veratrum album
Latin Name: Veratrum album
Common name: American hellebore
Family: Liliaceae
Parts used: Root
Constituents: Alkaloids
Medicinal actions: Emetic, diaphoretic, sedative.
Medicinal use: Fevers, hypertension, topically for itching and pain.
Pharmacology:
- Alkaloids have hypertensive properties and seem to significantly influence arterial pressure responses, decrease mean aortic pressure, cause renal, femoral and mesenteric vasodilation, and decrease the heart rate.
Pharmacy:
- Powder: 6mg is the maximum dose
Toxicity: Highly poisonous if maximum dose exceeded.
Contraindications: None known.
Interactions: None known.