Native to Europe, the hellebores, like most plants, has historic medicinal uses (and some that are quite nefarious). It has been said that Russian folk medicine used it as an herb for losing weight. Legend has it that it was used as a purgative by Hippocrates. It is reported to have been used to treat paralysis, insanity and gout. Some of the darker legends suggest the black hellebores had been used as poison, causing a variety of symptoms and eventual cardiac arrest and death. It has also believed that Alexander the Great overdosed on hellebore, leading to his death.
The Lenten rose is deceptive in its beauty. Our plants produce a beautiful apple green flower on a dark green, leather multi-fingered leaf. But no one should be deceived by the sublime beauty of the hellebores -- it is highly toxic to all.
The metaphor is that many things are deceptively beautiful and highly desired. But sometimes the very thing we desire, lovely and innocent as it may appear, can be highly toxic to ourselves and others. And sometimes it is how we use things that are toxic, not the object itself. How do we know what is toxic and dangerous? We must study and learn well what will bring us harm. The problem then will be cultivating self-discipline.
Look after each other so that none of you will miss out on the special favor of God. Watch out that no bitter root of unbelief rises up among you, for whenever it springs up, many are corrupted by its poison. Hebrews 12: 15 NLT
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