Veratrum album (white or false hellebore) can poison humans and animals. It is easily mistaken for wild garlic (Allium ursinum) and for Gentiana lutea (yellow gentian), causing accidental exposures.
Chemical toxin: steroid alkaloids
Mechanism: increase the permeability of sodium channels of nerve cells, resulting in continuous firing.
Clinical findings associated with increased vagal tone (Bezold-Jarisch reflex):
(1) hypotension
(2) bradycardia
(3) apnea
Additional findings:
(1) abdominal pain
(2) nausea and vomiting
(3) cardiac conduction abnormalities (in addition to bradycardia)
