American Hellebore Interactions Overview

Veratrum viride, commonly known as green false hellebore and American hellebore, is a perennial herbaceous plant native to North America. The applicable part of this plant for medicinal purposes is the rhizome and root. It contains toxic alkaloids, including veratrine, which can cause severe poisoning if ingested. The toxins are thought to be able to be absorbed through unbroken skin as well. Isolated alkaloids in Veratrum viride include O-acetyljervine, cevadine, cryptenamine, cyclopamine (11-deoxojervine), cycloposine, germitrine, germidine, jervine, muldamine, protoveratrine (A&B), veratramine, veratridine, and veriloid. Despite its toxicity, Veratrum viride has been used in traditional medicine for its potential medicinal properties, although these uses are not supported by scientific evidence. Commercial dietary supplement products containing American hellebore are typically homeopathic.