Evidence supporting the use of: Black Hellebore
For the health condition: Rheumatoid Arthritis
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 1
Black Hellebore (Helleborus niger) has a long history of use in traditional herbal medicine, particularly in Europe. Historically, it was used for a variety of ailments, including as a purgative and treatment for mental disorders, and in some cases, as a remedy for rheumatism or chronic joint pain—conditions that would today often be classified under rheumatoid arthritis. However, there is scant reliable evidence to support its efficacy for rheumatoid arthritis specifically. The rationale for its use in this context was primarily based on its purported anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, as well as its general role as a "detoxifying" agent in traditional medicine systems.
It is important to note that Black Hellebore contains potent and toxic compounds (such as glycosides like helleborin and hellebrin), which can cause serious side effects including vomiting, diarrhea, cardiac disturbances, and even death. Because of these risks, its use has largely fallen out of favor in modern herbal medicine, and it is not considered safe for internal use today. There are no robust clinical trials or scientific studies demonstrating benefit for rheumatoid arthritis, so the evidence remains anecdotal and historical, with a rating of 1 for evidence due to traditional reports only.
In summary, while Black Hellebore has a tradition of use for rheumatic conditions, this is not supported by modern scientific research, and its toxicity outweighs any potential benefit.
Other ingredients used for Rheumatoid Arthritis
15,16-Dihydrotanshinone IAbies spectabilis
Abrus
Actaea spicata
adrenal cortex
Akebia
Alfalfa
algal oil
alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)
alpha-lipoic acid
alpha-pinene
alpinia galangal
amber
amentoflavone
AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)
ampelopsin
andrographolide
anthocyanidins
anthocyanins
antler
apigenin
apocynin
Aralia
arctiin
arjunic acid
ashwagandha
astaxanthin
astragalin
baicalein
baicalin
barbasco
bee venom
Bergenia
Black Hellebore
Black willow
bogbean
borage oil
Boswellia
Boswellic Acid
bovine cartilage / glycosaminoglycan
C-phycocyanin
cannabidiol
carnosic acid
celery
Cetylated Fatty Acids
Chinese fleeceflower
Chinese pond turtle
chuchuhuasi
clematis
Clerodendrum phlomidis
cod liver oil
coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
cortisol
curcumin
cyanidin
d-alpha tocopherol
DHA (docosahexaenoic acid)
diallyl disulfide (DADS)
Dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid
docosahexaenoic Acid
dong quai root
DPA (docosapentaenoic acid)
eicosapentaenoic acid
Eicosatetraenoic acid
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
evening primrose oil
evening primrose oil
fat liver oil
fisetin
fish protein
flavanols
flavones
Flemingia philippinensis
frankincense
fructoborate
Fumaria parviflora
gamma linolenic acid (GLA)
gamma tocopherol
genistein
Gentiana macrophylla
ginger
ginkgetin
green-lipped mussel
guelder rose
Gypenoside
Harpagoside
Hellebore
horse gram
hydroxytyrosol
Hyperoside
Jatropha macrantha
Kaempferol
krill oil
luteolin
madder
mangiferin
Marine fat
Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM)
Myricetin
Myristoleate
Nobiletin
omega-3 fatty acids
Osthole
Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA)
Phaeophyceae
phospholipids
Piper chaba
Polydatin
polyunsaturated fat
proteoglycans
Puerarin
Qin Jiao
resveratrol
rose hips
Salicin
Salmon Oil
Salvianolic acid
saponins
Schizochytrium
Schizochytrium Oil
Semecarpus anacardium
Shilajit
Silkmoth
Sinomenium acutum
slippery elm bark
smilax
Stearidonic acid
Sulforaphane
sulforaphane glucosinolate
Szechuan lovage
Tanshinone
Taxillus chinensis
teasel
turmeric
Uncaria
Urolithin A
Ursolic Acid
vitamin B6
vitamin C
vitamin D
vitamin D3
Watercress
white willow
Withanolides
Other health conditions supported by Black Hellebore
Abdominal PainAsthma
Backache
Depression
Dizziness
Edema
Epilepsy
Fever
Gout
Headache (general)
Headache (tension)
Hemorrhoids
Inflammation
Influenza
Menstrual Irregularity
Migraine
Nausea and Vomiting
Nervous Exhaustion
Neuralgia and Neuritis
Pain (general remedies for)
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Wounds and Sores
