The knowledge of the medicinal potential of Christmas rose goes back to the Middle Ages, when it was extensively used by herbalist. The plant contains [among other active ingredients] the glucoside ‘helleborein’. In smaller doses it is a cardiac stimulant; in large doses it is a powerful poison, causing gastro-intestinal inflammation, dizziness, painful spasms, severe emesis, catharsis, heart failure, dilatation of the pupils, thirst with abdominal heat, cold sweats, convulsions, and even death.
