Medicinal Usage
Administered in low doses internally, the dry root of Veratrum nigrum can lower blood pressure and slow heart rate, possibly by stimulating the vagus nerve. It has been used to treat hypertension and cardiac failure, and to treat pre-eclampsia during pregnancy. It has been found to act as an antibiotic and insecticide. Cyclopamine (11-deoxojervine) is one of the alkaloids isolated from the plant which interferes with the hedgehog signaling pathway (Hh). Cyclopamine is under investigation as a possible treatment for several cancers (such as basal cell carcinoma and medulloblastoma) and skin disorders (such as psoriasis), which result from excessive Hh activity.
The dry rhizomes of Veratrum nigrum have been used in Chinese herbalism. Collectively, all of the false hellebore species are called "li lu" (藜蘆) in China. Li lu is administered internally as an emetic, and used topically to kill parasites (such as tinea and scabies) or to stop itching. It was most widely used to treat vascular disease. Some herbalists refuse to prescribe li lu internally, citing the extreme difficulty in preparing a safe and effective dosage.
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