The Hellebore, the Plant beloved by the Greeks: the Reasons behind a Myth.

Abstract

This article surveys the characteristics and therapeutic use of black and white hellebore, the beloved plants of the Greeks. It tries to assess the reasons for their possible correct or disastrous use, according to the Greek texts, focusing on some evidence of drug experiments on tolerance to poisons, performed before Mithidrates Eupator's pioneering approach to toxicology. It also draws on new insights into promising remedies obtained from Helleborus provided by phytochemically active compounds.