Evidence supporting the use of: Black Hellebore
For the health condition: Nausea and Vomiting

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 1

Black Hellebore (Helleborus niger) has a long history of use in traditional European herbal medicine, especially in the context of ancient Greek and Roman practices. Historically, Black Hellebore was employed as a purgative and emetic—meaning it was intentionally used to induce vomiting and purging, rather than to treat or alleviate nausea and vomiting. In some traditional texts, the plant was referenced as part of treatments for various ailments, but the intention was typically to expel perceived toxins from the body, not to soothe the gastrointestinal tract.

There is little to no scientific evidence supporting the use of Black Hellebore for the treatment or support of nausea and vomiting. Modern herbal and medical literature does not recommend its use for this purpose, primarily due to its high toxicity; the plant contains compounds such as helleborin and hellebrin, which can cause severe gastrointestinal and cardiovascular symptoms, including vomiting, diarrhea, and even cardiac arrest. Thus, while there is a traditional precedent for its use in inducing vomiting, there is no evidence—traditional or scientific—that it is safe or effective for alleviating nausea or vomiting.

In summary, the use of Black Hellebore for nausea and vomiting is supported only by historical precedent (and then, only as an emetic), not by scientific validation or safe contemporary practice.

More about Black Hellebore
More about Nausea and Vomiting

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