Black Hellebore (Helleborus niger) has a long history of use in traditional medicine, particularly in ancient Greece and Rome. Historical records indicate that physicians such as Hippocrates and Galen employed Black Hellebore to treat a variety of ailments, including what was described as “melancholia,” “madness,” and seizure-like disorders—conditions that may correspond to epilepsy and other neurological diseases in modern terms. The rationale for its use was based on humoral theory and the plant’s strong purgative and emetic properties, which were believed to expel harmful substances from the body. However, Black Hellebore is highly toxic, containing compounds such as helleborin and helleborein, which can cause severe cardiac and gastrointestinal effects.

There is currently no modern scientific evidence supporting the efficacy or safety of Black Hellebore for epilepsy. Its historical use was based on pre-scientific concepts of disease, and it is not recommended in contemporary medical practice due to significant toxicity risks. Contemporary research and clinical guidelines do not support its use for epilepsy, and it is generally regarded as unsafe for medicinal purposes.