Medicine history: AMERICAN HELLEBORE (poison) : The plant is highly toxic, causing nausea and vomiting. If the poison is not evacuated, cold sweat and vertigo appears. Respiration slows, cardiac rhythm and blood pressure falls, eventually leading to death. It is used externally by several Native American nations. Although is rarely ever used in modern herbalism, it has been used in the past against high blood pressure and rapid heartbeat.

EUPHORBIA PILUIFERA - noted in an 1891 JAMA abstract: Quite recently, at the suggestion of my friend Dr. E. T. Sabal, of Jacksonville, Florida, I have used the remedy named, euphorbia pilulifera, for the relief of a most stubborn case of hereditary asthma, and the results are such that I feel warranted in calling the attention of the profession to it, and also making an effort to compile some statistics which will be of service to us in the future. It is a popular domestic remedy in Australia, and has been used for the relief of coughs, colds and other like disturbances of the air-passages, but more especially in the treatment of asthma.

CRAMP BARK: Historically the eclectic physicians recommended it to support the body's adaptation associated with menstruation. It has also been found to be useful for the common complaints associated with normal menstrual cycles.

VERATRUM VIRIDE - used in the Treatment of Eclampsia - The use of V. album centers around its toxic potential. It had been used as a poison during Roman times and an extract of the plant was used as an arrow tip poison. Small doses had been used to treat symptoms of cholera, often with less than desirable effects. White hellebore had been used in place of Colchicum for the treatment of gout, to aid in the treatment of hypertension, and externally to treat herpetic lesions, but its use has always been limited by its toxicity.