American Hellebore: History, Uses and Cultivation

 

American hellebore is a plant that has a rich history in medicinal use, but it is not a plant that should be used for such purposes. This plant has the ability to make you very sick if ingested. It can grow up to "eight feet tall in the wild," and it flowers in "midsummer" (Kowalchik, 1987, p.8). This plant is a perennial that has greenish-white flowers. It lives in swamp land, woods, "wet meadows, stream edges," and it is "indigenous from Canada to the Carolinas" (Kowalchik, 1987, p.8). This plant grows well in nature, but it should be left there.

This plant was used for many different medicinal purposes in the past. The root was ground into a powder by the "American Indians" and the "early colonists;" this powder was then used to treat wounds and cavities (Kowalchik, 1987, p.8). This plant has serious side effects and using it for toothaches can produce fatal effects. American settlers boiled the sliced root with vinegar and used it to treat "rashes and sores," and they also used it to remove "head lice" (Kowalchik, 1987, p.8). This plant has very strong implications for poisoning, and it amazes me that people used it so much in the past. This plant was even used to treat "epilepsy, convulsions, pneumonia, and peritonitis" (Kowalchik, 1987, p.8).

The toxicity of American hellebore is so high that it should not be used by the home herbalist. There are some medicinal purposes of this herb though; it contains "alkaloid" that slow down blood pressure, heart rate, and stimulate "blood flow to the kidneys, liver, and extremeties" (Kowalchik, 1987, p.9). The uses of his plant unfortunately do not outweigh the toxicity level of the plant. The toxicity level of this plant is so high it should not be used at home. American hellebore can cause "abdominal pain, nausau, diarrhea, faintness, shallow breathing, spasms, loss of consciousness, paralysis, and sometimes death," and one of the only reasons it is not more fatal is because it quickly induces vomiting (Kowalchik, 1987, p.9). This plant is a serious herb that should not be ingested.

Although the American hellebore is a plant that can dangerous results when consumed; it is a very striking plant to have in a garden. These plants enjoy shade, and they grow very tall. The flowers form beautiful "panicles", and the foliage is a bright green color that is very attractive (Kowalchik, 1987, p.9). This herb enjoys moist soil and a hardiness zone of 4.

The American hellebore is an herb that is rich in medicinal history, but it has such a strong level of toxicity that it should not be used for its medicinal purposes. It is great for growing in the shade, and it is lovely as an ornamental plant.

Companion Planting Part 1: Plants Need Friends Too

 

Companion planting is a great way to enhance your garden in many ways. This method of planting allows you to increase harvest size, maximize area space, and enhance strength of crops. Companion planting is also helpful for repelling insects, and adding nutrients that are supportive of plant growth. This method of planting is beneficial in all aspects, and this article will discuss companion plants alphabetically from A - G.

Alfalfa grows well with dandelions.

Apricots are suppressed by potatoes and tomatoes.

Asparagus is aided directly by tomatoes, and tomatoes are affected positively by asparagus as well. Asparagus also does well when planted with parsley.

All Beans grow well with potatoes. Bush, green, dwarf, snap, string, wax, and butter beans grow well with cucumbers, cabbage, and strawberries. These beans do not benefit fennel, and their dislike is mutual. Pole beans will enhance your radishes, but beets, and onions do not fair so well.

Beets really like dwarf beans, onions, and kohlrabi, and these purple vegetables will also help lettuce and cabbage.

Cabbage includes cauliflower, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, kale, and kohlrabi. Beets are a good match for cabbage, but strawberries are not.

Carrots grow nicely in the presence of peas, leaf lettuce, red radishes, and chives. Planting leeks with carrots will help repel the carrot fly.

Celeriac is benefited by leeks.

Celery enjoys the company of leeks, bush beans, and tomatoes.

Corn grows well with early potatoes. Many plants appreciate the shade of a corn field such as beans, squash, melons, and cucumbers.

Cucumbers are aided by the cucumber beetle repelling power of a few radish seeds. Lettuce, bush, beans, and radishes are also good plants to grow with cucumbers.

Eggplant should be planted with green bean plants to prevent the Colorado potato beetle from attacking the plants

Fennel has a harmful effect on bush beans, kohlrabi, and tomatoes Fennel is harmed by wormwood plants that grow in the same area.

Fruit trees are aided by legumes and mustard; other plants that fruit trees enjoy are garlic, chives, and nasturtiums.

Garlic and roses grow well together, but garlic inhibits the growth of peas and beans.

Grapevine can be enhanced if it is supported by a mulberry tree or an elm tree.

Guava trees are helpful to citrus trees.

There are many different plants that can be grouped with each other in order to enhance the growth and production of each other. Companion planting is a good way to help your garden grow; try companion planting today!