Celandine (Chelidonium majus), also known as tetterwort, is a perennial, flowering plant related to the poppy. Although the poppy family (Papaveraceae) consists of numerous plants, trees and shrubs that are considered “cosmopolitan” because they thrive just about anywhere.
Celandine is the sole member of its genus. Note that this herb should not be confused with lesser celandine (Ranunculus ficaria), which is a member of the buttercup family. To further distinguish between the two, C. majus is commonly referred to as greater celandine.
Like its cousin, the California poppy,
celandine contains a number of isoquinoline alkaloids that make the entire plant toxic unless its compounds are prepared and administered in therapeutic dosages. Specifically, celandine contains the protoberberine type alkaloid coptisine, in addition to berberine. The plant also contains sanguinarine and chelidonine, which are benzophenanthridine type alkaloids. However, these agents do exert potent and beneficial pharmacological activity. In fact, these compounds have demonstrated analgesic, antimicrobial and sedative properties.