Veratrum Vir.

Veratrum viride


Common Name(s)
American white hellebore.
Origin
Found throughout northwestern North America.
Background
Although once used as a herbal remedy by the Iroquois and Cherokee Indians, this highly toxic plant is now little used in herbal medicine.
Preparation
The fresh root is gathered in fall and macerated in alcohol.

Remedy profile

People who respond best to this remedy are often restless, quarrelsome, and prone to complaining.

Veratrum vir. has a strong affinity with lung conditions such as asthma, pleurisy, and pneumonia. Symptoms appear rapidly, including a strong or slow pulse, high fever, anxiety, and vomiting. There may be a red streak in the center of the tongue.

Another rapid-onset condition for which Veratrum vir. is given is intense fever with twitching, especially during sleep, spasms, delirium, chorea (involuntary, random, jerky movements), or even manic behavior or puerperal fever (infection in the genital tract after miscarriage, an abortion, or childbirth). Violent, rapidly appearing headaches may occur, with a bursting, congested sensation in the head, as if it contains too much blood.

Symptoms better: For rubbing the affected area; for lying with the head held low; for hot, strong coffee.

Symptoms worse: For cold; for the heat of the sun; for rising; for movement; for lying on the back; after childbir th; for suppressed menstruation, possibly caused by jet lag.