Hellebore ( Helleborus odorus)

Hellebore is one of the first "messengers" of the new spring, but never enters those such as snowdrops, violets, saffron and hyacinths. A people simply does not have the habit of giving a loved one a bouquet of hellebore for example! And such a gift would probably be understood by some as an insult. People have always been wary of this beautiful and attractive plant, and of course there is a justification for that - because hellebore is better known for its poisonous nature than for its attractive appearance.

According to ancient records and legends, hellebore was a very important plant in ancient times, especially because of its poisonous and healing properties. The ancient Greeks used it both in the treatment of madness and in very efficient and fast poisoning of the enemy.

An example is given that Heracles, an ancient hero, when he was seized from time to time by madness, was cured thanks to hellebore.

But hellebore, as it brings as healing, can cause death in an even easier way. Some historians believe that Alexander the Great died from an overdose of hellebore, which he took as a medicine for a long time.
The case of the first chemical war in the history of European civilization, which was fought with hellebore, is also known!

According to legend, the Phocians of the city of Cyrus intercepted and robbed pilgrims going to Delphi for years. The Delphi rebelled against that, and after a couple of years of "fighting" and quarreling, a war known as the First Holy War began. It lasted for 10 years (585 to 595 BC) and finally the Phocians were defeated by the warriors who defended Delphi poisoning their water with hellebore, and that was the one brought from Antikyra! The soldiers drank that water and all of them fell ill with stomach problems and heart arrhythmias, because hellebore poisons mostly disturb the work of the heart, so they were not able to fight further and their city of Kira was finally conquered.