MEDICINAL PLANTS

It is a perennial herbaceous plant, belonging to the family of the Ranunculaceae. For his feature-flowering time in winter and early spring is known as rose or pink snow for Christmas. Within the same species there are at least four varieties, with enough similarities between them. The range that concerns us here is characterized as highly toxic. It has a black root, cylindrical fibers, the stem has no leaves and usually only brings a flower with five sepals extended red and white petals negligible.

FLOWERING

As previously mentioned, the plant blooms in winter. He likes the rocky slopes and in general all the dry places of the East. In Spain is not easy to find even during time was cultivated as a medicinal plant. To collect the party interested in the pharmaceutical industry is the rhizome, with roots adjacent should be washed well, removing all the green parts and then put to dry in the shade or in dryer at a maximum temperature of 45 grados CelsiusC. Once dry, the rhizome becomes a bitter and spicy.

APPLICATIONS

In the rhizome find a saponin called Helleborine and another substance, heleboreina, both soluble in water, these compounds have a strong action on the heart, cardiotonic action, besides acting as diuretics. Another property of the plant is also acting as a drastic purgative. But most important of hellebore, that we should not forget, is its high toxicity, even in moderate doses. Intoxication produces hypertension, very violent diarrhea, severe stomach pains, nausea, vomiting and may even trigger cardiac death by overstimulation. Listed the effects which this plant is easy to deduce that its use is completely contraindicated, unless under strict medical supervision. Any infusion, decoction or other home management should be discarded, even if you are sure that the dose used is not of any danger. More than once there have been cases of poisoning in some home preparation prepared with the utmost rigor and accuracy, this happens because in a traditional preparation is not known for sure the dose is being consumed or wealth active ingredients of the plant. The best in this type of potentially toxic herbs is to leave them in the hands of qualified personnel. Finally, after all, nature gives us many other plants of similar properties and risks much lower. The usefulness of this plant is recognized in veterinary itself: above all used in the anemia of lambs and cattle for the removal of certain diseases.

ADMINISTRATION

Por su alta toxicidad no vamos a comentar las formas caseras en las que puede utilizarse esta planta; tan solo como uso veterinario describimos una preparación usada para la anemia de los corderos:
In a liter of water is left to marinate for 12-24 hours 100 gr. De flores de árnica y 40 gr. De raíz de eléboro; luego se filtra y se administra a los animales 2 veces al día.

SUMMARY

FAMILY: Ranunculaceae
HABITAT: Rocky slopes of the Alps
FLOWERING: Winter
PART USED: Rhizome
CASTILIAN: Rosa de Navidad
BASQUE: Garito bedarr

USES

Toxic Strong, Cardiotonic Moderate, Diuretic Moderate.