Encyclopedia of Homeopathy

MAJOR PLANT REMEDIES• 55Helleborus nigerHELLEBORUSKEY SYMPTOMS mental dullness and sluggishness • chilliness • tendency todrop things • person feels worse between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.As early as 1400 BCE, the Roman natural historian Pliny wrote of using blackhellebore for mental conditions. Ancient Greek and Roman philosophers woulddrink an infusion of the plant to increase their concentration before prolongeddebates. The herb is extremely toxic and is now used only in homeopathy, sinceherbalists believe that it is too strong to be used safely. Helleborus was proved byHahnemann and published in his Materia Medica Pura (1821–34).REMEDY PROFILEThe people who benefit most from takingthis remedy are characteristically dull andsluggish. It is best suited to those who feelstupefied and have slow mental processes.They commonly experience anguish,irritability, apathy, and depression. Thesepeople frequently feel as though their brainsare in turmoil, and do not understand what isgoing on around them. Although they maybeg for help, they are generally inconsolable.Physical symptoms generally worsenbetween 4 p.m. and 8 p.m., and improve inwarmth and when lying covered up.Helleborus is prescribed for mental statesthat feature sluggishness and stupefaction.Acute inflammatory nervous conditions maybe helped, as may headaches, digestiveproblems, and depression. Symptoms mayfollow as a result of concussion, surgery to thebrain, or a bout of meningitis or encephalitis.Nervous-system disordersSYMPTOMS Stupefaction and dullness, possiblyeven giving an impression of stupidity ormental disorder. Questions are answeredslowly and with great effort. The body feelsnumb and the brain loses control over themuscles, so that objects drop easily from thehands. Forgetfulness and poor concentration,with the memory becoming totally blank, arecommon. In extreme cases symptoms may beassociated with Alzheimer’s disease, includingmemory loss, anxiety, and disorientation.Symptoms better For warmth; for beingwrapped up; for lying quietly at rest andundisturbed.Symptoms worse For cold air; for beinguncovered; for exertion; during the night;between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.Brain inflammationSYMPTOMS Swelling of the brain tissue,possibly caused by encephalitis or meningitis.Symptoms typically include convulsions, andthe head tends to feel very hot while the bodyfeels very cold. There is a feeling of stuporand sluggishness.Symptoms better For warmth; for beingwrapped up; for lying quietly at rest andundisturbed.Symptoms worse For cold air; for beinguncovered; for exertion; during the night;between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.HeadachesSYMPTOMS A headache or migraine withmental dullness, possibly after injury orsurgery. The headache often begins in theback of the head or in the neck, and theremay be a need to pull the head down towardthe body. Dizziness and vertigo causingvomiting may accompany the pain.Symptoms better For warmth; for rest.Symptoms worse For being uncovered; forexertion; for stooping; between 4 p.m. and8 p.m.Digestive disordersSYMPTOMS Painful bowel urges with waterydiarrhea and mucus. Bowel movements are sodisoriented and sluggish that constipation mayalso occur. There is often a lack of thirst and adry mouth.Symptoms better For warmth and warmcoverings; for rest.Symptoms worse For cold; for being uncovered;at night; between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.DepressionSYMPTOMS Blank stares, involuntary sighs,and dark moods, especially betweenSOURCE DETAILSORIGINGrows naturally on rocky or mountainoussites in southern Europe. Flowers fromwinter to spring and is widely cultivated asa popular garden plant.BACKGROUNDUsed in the past by herbalists as a treatmentfor lice, and as a local anesthetic, purgative,heart tonic, and means of inducing anabortion. The leaves were used as a heartstimulant for the elderly.PREPARATIONThe tincture is prepared from the freshroot of the plant. This is dug up in thewinter, chopped, and macerated, thenfiltered and succussed.COMMON NAMESBlack hellebore, Christmas rose.BLACK HELLEBOREThis plant is poisonousif ingested in all butthe smallest doses. Itwas used in medievalmedicine to expel anexcess of “black bile,”a bodily “humor” (seepage 12) linked withinsanity.4 p.m. and 8 p.m. The lips and clothesmay be picked at.Symptoms better For being wrapped up warmly.Symptoms worse During the night; for exertion.See also Depression, page 212; Headache & migraine, page 218; Digestion, page 234; Irritability, page 244