False Hellebore, Indian Poke, Veratrum viride

The top of the leaf is smooth, while the underside is covered with white downy hairs. Leaves at the top of the plant are green, while those closer to the ground are white or grayish in color. These basal leaves are 2 to 10 inches (5 cm to 25 cm) long and serrated on the edges. The single bright yellow flowers are a little over a half inch (1.25 cm) across and look like dandelion. Its small white root spreads underground. Edible Use: Coltsfoot flowers and leaves are edible. They are good in salads (in small amounts only). Young leaves are also used in soups or stews. To use the leaves as a vegetable, wash them after boiling to get rid of the bitterness. Dried or fresh leaves and flowers can be used to make an aromatic tea. Medicinal Use: Both the leaves and flowers have medicinal value, although the flowers have the highest concentrations of medicinal compounds. People rarely use the roots, but they have medicinal properties as well. This plant has anti-inflammatory and anti-tussive properties, due to it containing mucilage and tannins.

Asthma, Whooping Cough, Laryngitis, Coughs, Emphysema, and Bronchial Con-

gestion: The botanical name Tussilago means ‘cough dispeller,’ and it does the job well. Use it to relieve congestion and expel mucous. It is especially useful for chronic coughs like emphysema and whooping cough. Coltsfoot Decoction, taken throughout the day, is used as a remedy for chronic coughs of all causes.

Eczema, Sores, and Skin Inflammations:

The flowers, prepared as a poultice, are helpful applied directly onto skin inflammations, sores, and eczema. Warning: Coltsfoot leaves contain small amounts of toxic compounds, which are destroyed by cooking. Eat raw leaves sparingly and boil, drain, and rinse leaves when using as a vegetable.

Recipes. Coltsfoot Decoction. 1-ounce coltsfoot leaves, 1-quart (1 Liter) water, raw honey, as desired. Combine the coltsfoot leaves and water over mediumhigh heat and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and boil the decoction until the water is reduced by half. Cool and strain the decoction to remove the leaves. Sweeten the decoction with raw honey as desired. It can be bitter, depending on the age of the leaves. Drink 1/4 cup at a time, throughout the day or as needed to provide relief.

Coltsfoot Leaves, Bogdan, CC by SA 3.0

There are several plants that go by the name of False Hellebore or Indian Poke. This is Veratrum viride, not Phytolacca acinosa or other pokeweeds. It is in the Lily Family. It is found in pastures, meadows, open woods, damp soils, and swamps. It grows throughout most of eastern and western North America (not mid). Identification: False Hellebore is an erect perennial herb that grows 2 to 7 feet (0.6m to 2.1meters) tall. The leaves are broad on the lower part and spirally arranged on the stout stem. Leaves are 4 to 14 inches (10 cm to 35 cm) long and 2 to 8 inches (5 cm to 20 cm) wide. The leaf blade of this plant is widest near the

middle and tapering at both ends (ovate). The leaves are feathery on the underside. The flowers are arranged on a large branched inflorescence approximately 1 to 2 1/2 feet (0.7m) long. The flowers are ¼ to ½ inch (0.75 cm to 1.25 cm) long with six green to yellow-green tepals. The ovary is positioned above the sepal attachment and produces flat, winged seeds. The fruit splits along two or more seams when dry to release seeds. The fruit grows up to 1 1/4 inches (3.2 cm) long.

Medicinal Use. Treating High Blood Pres-

sure and Rapid Heartbeat: False Hellebore Root contains chelidonic acid and other alkaloids. Some of the alkaloids expand peripheral blood vessels and lower blood pressure by slowing the heartbeat. Several pharmaceutical drugs for high blood pressure and rapid heartbeat have been developed from False Hellebore compounds. This herb is highly effective, so only very small doses should be used since an overdose is potentially deadly. I prefer other home methods than this plant for lowering blood pressure and heart rate, as the strength can vary from plant to plant and in how it is made. If you choose to use False Hellebore for this purpose, start with very small doses of the decoction and have very close medical supervision. Reducing Fevers in Acute Diseases: In acute disease situations such as peritonitis and acute pneumonia, a decoction of False Hellebore acts as a febrifuge (brings down the fever). However, do not forget the other effects of the decoction and use it sparingly under complete medical supervision. I much prefer Yarrow to bring down a fever. Body Pain, Arthritis, and Muscle Pains: A decoction of the leaves or roots, diluted with water, works as a wash to reduce or relieve shoulder pains, intense arthritis pain, severe aches of the muscles and body parts, pains at the rear portion of the neck and fast electric shock in all parts of the body. Alternately, use a salve made from False Hellebore as a rub to relieve pain. Other Uses: The roots of False Hellebore are slightly soapy and can be used to do laundry. Grate the root and add it to water. Harvesting: Wear gloves when harvesting. Pick individual leaves and leave the plant intact. Dry the leaves for storage. Harvest rhizomes only from mature plants. Collect the roots in autumn and dry them for future use. Warning: Take precaution and use only small doses, if you use it internally at all. False Hellebore is considered to be very toxic. Veratrum viride contains numerous toxins that may cause vomiting and nausea. If the poison is not evacuated, vertigo and cold sweats start, respiration slows, blood pressure and cardiac rhythm falls, and the heart fails eventually leading to death.

Recipes. Indian Poke Leaf Decoction: 1 ounce chopped Indian poke Leaves, 1 pint (500 ml) of water. Cover the chopped leaves with water and bring to a boil. Turn off the heat and allow the leaves to steep for 10 to 15 minutes. Strain out the leaves and store the decoction in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze.

Walter Siegmund - Own work, CC by SA 3.0