What does veratria mean?
Veratria is a highly toxic alkaloidal preparation obtained from plants of the genus Veratrum, which includes white hellebore. The term was formerly used in medicine as an emetic, a substance intended to induce vomiting, but its narrow margin between an intended effect and dangerous poisoning limited its usefulness. Modern references to veratria occur chiefly in historical pharmacology, toxicology, and discussions of accidental or deliberate poisoning. The name can also refer broadly to a mixture of related alkaloids, whereas veratrine more commonly identifies a particular alkaloid associated with these plants. Although veratria once appeared in ordinary medical writing, it is now a specialist or historical term rather than a household or contemporary clinical word. Its principal significance lies in the history of medicine and in understanding the severe toxicity of certain Veratrum plants.
nounVeratria is a toxic mixture of alkaloids obtained from plants of the genus Veratrum, especially white hellebore. It was formerly used medicinally, particularly as an emetic, but is now encountered mainly in toxicological and historical contexts.
- A poisonous mixture of alkaloids obtained from plants of the genus Veratrum, formerly used as an emetic and now encountered chiefly in historical or toxicological contexts.
"In the nineteenth century, physicians sometimes prescribed veratria as an emetic, although its dangerously toxic effects made it unsuitable for routine use."
"Early physicians once used veratria to induce vomiting, despite the risk of severe and sometimes fatal poisoning."
"The toxicology report identified veratria alkaloids in the blood of the patient."
The plural is rarely used because veratria normally denotes an alkaloidal substance or mixture rather than countable individual specimens.
"The laboratory records included samples of two historical veratrias."
Once used to induce vomiting, veratria could itself become a cause of catastrophic poisoning.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of veratria
Veratria was formed in New Latin from veratrum, the Latin botanical name for the hellebore genus. Latin veratrum was borrowed from Ancient Greek bératron, a name for hellebore, and modern cognates include veratrine and the botanical genus Veratrum.
How veratria is actually used
Veratria is uncommon in contemporary general prose and belongs mainly to historical medicine, pharmacognosy, and toxicology. Because the preparation is highly toxic, references to it are normally framed as warnings or records of exposure rather than recommendations.
Easily confused with veratria
Veratrine names a specific toxic alkaloid associated with Veratrum plants, whereas veratria traditionally referred more broadly to an alkaloidal preparation or mixture obtained from such plants.