AYURVEDIC PRACTITIONER
| Veratrum, ©2008 Todd Caldecott |
Botanical Name: Veratrum viride, Liliaceae Common names: Veratrum, False Hellebore, Indian Hellebore, Indian poke, Skookum root, Corn Lily Similar species: V. californicum, V. album Plant description: Veratrum is an erect herb, 1-2 meters tall, with short perennial rootstalks. The leaves are smooth, alternate, parallel veined, broadly oval to lanceolate, 12-30 cm long, 12 cm wide, in three ranks and clasping at the base. The inflorescence is a panicle of very numerous, small, greenish-white star-shaped flowers, dark green in the middle, the lower ones often staminate and the upper ones perfect. The fruit is an oblong or oval shaped capsule, straw colored to dark brown, containing flatish, broadly winged, brown papery seeds. Habitat, ecology and distribution: Veratrum is found in moist areas, along stream banks and in thickets, meadows, bogs and swamps. It is abundant in subalpine elevations or in areas with a late snowmelt, found from the Yukon and NWT southwards into Idaho and Montana. Along the north coast of British Columbia it can be found at lower elevations. Part used: Rhizome. History: The genus name Veratrum is derived from the Latin term vera, meaning 'true,' and atrum, meaning 'black,' probably in reference to the dark flowers or the blackish rhizome. The origin of the common name Hellebore is obscure, although it may be because some of Veratrum's medicinal properties are similar to that of the European Hellebore, which was used in nervous disorders and hysteria. Veratrum was carefully used by almost all First Nations groups, used in colds, fever, rheumatism, sprains, bruises and many other conditions. Its name "skookum root" is derived from a Chinook term that means 'powerful,' or 'strong.' Veratrum is sometimes prepared as a tea and used as an insecticide by gardeners. Constituents: The primary constituents of interest in Veratrum are the very toxic alkaloids, some of which have demonstrated antihypertensive properties in experimental models. They are organized into three groups: group A, including the alkamines (esters of organic steroidal bases) with organic acids, such as germidine and germitrine, as well as cevadine, neogermitrine, neoprotoveratrine, protoveratrine and veratridine; group B, the glucosides of the alkamines, primarily as pseudojervine and veratrosine; and group C, the alkamines germine, jervine, rubijervine, and veratramine (Duke 1985, 507). Medical Research: Toxicity: There have been a few reported cases of Veratrum poisoning over the last 10-15 years, typically because the plant is misidentified as edible (e.g. "leeks) or medicinal (e.g. Gentian). Upon ingestion of a moderate dose Veratrum may cause dizziness, fainting, hypothermia, pupil dilation, shallow breathing, sleepiness, hypotension and bradycardia. In toxic doses Veratrum causes significant bradycardia and severe hypotension, severe vomiting, coma and unconsciousness. Treatment begins with emetics or gastric lavage, with the internal administration of atropine and pressors such as dopamine. All recent reported cases of poisoning recover over a 24 to 48 hour period with appropriate treatment (Prince and Stork 2000; Jaffe et al 1990). Death from Veratrum is caused by asphyxia from cardiac and respiratory depression. Nausea is the most prominent indication for the immediate discontinuation of therapy. Herbal action: febrifuge, antihypertensive, cardiac sedative, anodyne Indications: fever, hypertension, bronchitis, pleurisy, meningitis, neuralgia, mania, hyperthyroidism; all the above associated with hyperthermia and a rapid, bounding pulse Contraindications and cautions: pregnancy, lactation, children, elderly; bradycardia, hypotension, hypothyroidism, asthenic conditions, gastric irritability, nausea; a long pointed tongue with a red tip Medicinal uses: Veratrum is indicated in sthenic conditions, with a full, bounding pulse and fullness of the capillary circulation, used primarily to diminish the activity of the heart and arteries and lower the body temperature. The tongue is coated white or yellow with a red streak down the middle. Michael Moore provides the term "incredible Hulk syndrome" when he describes the specific indication for Veratrum, with arterial tension and bloodshot eyes, insomnia, a flushed face and throbbing carotid arteries (1994). To this extent, Veratrum is indicated in whatever the cause given the proper indications, be it inflammation from infection, or from endogenous sources. Veratrum was formerly used in high fever, and serous inflammation. It cannot however be used for any considerable length of time, and only in small doses, by which it gradually "…lessens the frequency and hardness of the pulse, and promotes a uniform and equal circulation" (Felter and Lloyd 1893). It is used in pulmonary afflictions, once again always indicated by the full, bounding pulse, used as a sedative in acute pneumonia, in pleurisy (with Bryonia), and in acute and chronic bronchitis, where it acts as powerful expectorant. It is also mentioned in King's in septic peritonitis, and in nephritis, cystitis, hepatitis, ovaritis, and orchitis. It is mentioned as useful anodyne in acute injury, "…arising from blows or kicks upon the abdomen" (Felter and Lloyd 1893). Veratrum is indication is irritation of the nervous system, in cerebro-spinal meningitis, convulsions, neuralgia and headache all associated with a febrile or hyperemic stare. It is similarly used in delirium tremens, insomnia, and acute manic states. Used in small doses, "…and progressively increasing to 12 drops of the tincture, and again reducing the dose, Veratrum has been accredited with favorably influencing exophthalmic goiter" (hyperthyroidism) (Felter and Lloyd 1893). Veratrum may also be of benefit in acute exacerbations of rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory arthropathies, with fever and nervous irritation, but should be avoided in patients that have gastric involvement (i.e. colitis, Crohn's disease). Whenever Veratrum is administered, it is advised the patient lie down and relax as not to burden the heart. The pulse rate and blood pressure should be cautiously observed. Applied externally as an ungent or salve (4% v/v), Veratrum is stated to be helpful in boils, carbuncles, abscesses, inflamed acne, cellulitis, and other local inflammations, acting to ease pain and promote resolution. It is similarly used in acute inflamed herpetic lesions and in the dermatitis of poison ivy (Rhus radicans), western poison oak (Rhus diversiloba) and poison sumac (Rhus vernix) (Ellingwood 1919). Pharmacy and dosage:
REFERENCESDuke, James. 1985. CRC Handbook of Medicinal Herbs. Boca Raton: CRC Press. |