Is Hellebore poisonous? Can it be kept at home?

Is Hellebore Poisonous?

There are about 20 species of hellebore, most of which are poisonous. It has a certain degree of toxicity, and some species, such as black hellebore, are even highly toxic.

If hellebore is used improperly or in excess, it may cause gastrointestinal mucosal inflammation, severe vomiting, severe diarrhea, dizziness, cramps, convulsions, and death. Using fresh roots on the toes can cause dermatitis and even blistering, with serious consequences.

The onset of hellebore poisoning is very short, with symptoms appearing within 30 minutes and death occurring within a few hours.

Can Hellebore be grown at home?

Hellebore can be grown at home.

Although hellebore is a poisonous plant, it also has certain medicinal value. Helleborus officinalis can treat heat-clearing and detoxification, promote blood circulation and relieve blood stasis, reduce swelling and relieve pain. It has therapeutic effects on cystitis, urethritis, sores, boils, swellings, injuries from falls, and strains.

Hellebore also has a certain cardiotonic effect, and its extract is more obvious in this regard, but it still has the potential to be fatal. It also has a certain anti-tumor effect and can cause tumor necrosis, but it is highly toxic to animals. Hellebore has other medicinal uses as well. Therefore, when using hellebore medicine, you should pay attention to the method and dosage of use, operate it correctly, avoid poisoning, and reduce the harm of hellebore. From this perspective, it protects the breeders from poisoning, so it is safe to keep hellebore at home.

Secondly, Helleborus is shade-loving, cold-resistant, easy to care for, and its flowering in late winter and early spring determines its irreplaceable position in winter flower borders. The beauty of hellebore is a natural beauty with a little wildness, which is very suitable for Western natural gardens. When growing hellebore at home, you can design the garden into a Western style, or you can plant it in a pot, which is also a good choice.