Celandine herb, c/s

Celandine herb, c/s (363)

Scientific Name: Chelidonium majus, Papaveraceae family
Common Names : The greater celandine, Celandine Poppy, Common Celandine, Felon-wort, Garden Celandine, Greater Celandine, Grecian May, Swallow Wort, Tetterwort, Wartweed

Parts used: Flowering tops and whole plant
Active Compounds: Allocryptopine, berberine, celidoniol, cherlerythrine*, chelidamine, chelidimerine, chelidonic acid, chelilutine, chelirubine, coptisine, corysamine, cryptopine, ergosterol, homochelidonine (A & B), hydroxychelidonine, hydroxysanguinarine, methoxychelidonine, oxochelidonine, oxysanguinarine, protopine, sanguinarine, sparteine, spinasterol, stylopine.

Applications: Sedative, anti-tumor, antibiotic, immune boosting effects. Cleansing, acrid, caustic, alterative, anodyne, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, analgesic, diaphoretic, diuretic, expectorant, hydragogue, narcotic, purgative, hypoglycemic, antispasmodic (muscles), uterine stimulant, circulatory stimulant, diuretic, laxative, vulnerary,

"The herb or root boiled in white wine and drunk, a few aniseeds being boiled therewith, openeth obstructions of the liver and gall, helpeth the yellow jaundice." Culpeper

Background:

Greater celandine is a yellow-flowering poppy, native to Europe and the Mediterranean basin. It is also widespread in North America, brought there in the 1670's by settlers as a herbal remedy for skin problems, including warts. The whole plant is active, containing a range of alkaloids, such as Chelerythrinet Use of the fresh plant may also cause contact dermatitis, due to the presence of latex.

The scientific name is derived from the Greek 'chelidon', meaning 'swallow' as it comes into flower when the swallows arrive and ends its bloom when they leave. Another story says that the name was given because swallows use this plant to unseal the eyes of their young

In the 14th century Celandine was used as a blood tonic.

Reportedly the favorite flower of Wordsworth --the blossoms are carved on his tomb. He fancifully suggests that the painter who first tried to picture the rising sun, must have taken the idea of the spreading pointed rays from the Celandine's 'glittering countenance.' They burst into bloom about the middle of February, a few days only after their bright, shining leaves.

Dosage:

GRAINS = 15 to 60
Infusion = 1 level tsp of powdered rootstock, or crushed dry herb, to 1 cup of boiling water; steeped 30 minutes; taken cooled, 1/2 cup per day, a mouthful at a time.
Tincture = 8 to 10 drops in brandy or 90 proof beverage alcohol or sweetened water (3 times daily for liver problems)
Fluid extract= 1/2 to 1 tsp
Powdered root= 1/2 to 1 tsp

Applications:

For the treatment of warts, a powder of greater Celandine is applied directly to the wart and allowed to dry there.

Celandine lowers blood pressure; affects stomach, gall bladder, liver, spleen. Cleansing, acrid, caustic, alterative, anodyne, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, analgesic, diaphoretic, diuretic, expectorant, hydragogue, narcotic, purgative, hypoglycemic, antispasmodic (muscles), uterine stimulant, circulatory stimulant, diuretic, laxative, vulnerary,; has been used for inflammation of the gallbladder, inflammation of the bilary duct, loss of appetite, jaundice, hepatitis, dropsy, gout, arthritis, rheumatism, fevers, spasmodic coughs, bronchitis, asthma, intestinal polyps, breast lumps, angina, cramps, arteriosclerosis, gout, water retention, skin eruptions, scurvy, ulcers, cancers (specifically skin and stomach). The Russians have long used it for cancers. It is used to treat spastic discomfort of the bile ducts and gastrointestinal tract as it detoxifies the liver and reduces gallbladder inflammation and pain.

The tincture has been used for liver problems, facial, head, and shoulder neuralgia, and constipation. It is an important ingredient of a pharmaceutical drug used to treat stomach ulcers. The herb has been used to correct irregular menses, and used externally for eye inflammation, cataracts, bruises, sprains, ringworm, psoriasis, eczema, herpes, cancerous tumors, spreading ulcers, malignant sores, tubercular skin lesions; the ointment or poultice has been used externally for herpes, eczema, ringworm. It has also be used as a rinse for dandruff.
The leaves and stems, steeped in warm milk, provide a useful eyewash.

Description:
This Eurasian member of the poppy family found around disturbed soil near. It has been naturalized in North America and can be found in damp, rich soil of the northeastern United States-- along roadsides and in garden beds. Leaves are gray-green with a yellowish cast, alternate, pinnate with ovate and irregular lobed leaflets. Flowers are small and yellow, 4-petaled, 1/2 to 3/4 inch across in a sparse terminal umbel. Fruit is a long, thin pod. Rootstock is cylindrical, having a brown exterior and an orange-yellow interior with a milky juice. Stems are hollow and smooth or slightly hairy with swollen joints. The entire plant contains a bitter, orange-yellow juice that runs red when exposed to the air; it has an unpleasant smell and a bitter taste.

A double-flowered variety, a naturally occurring mutation, also exists.
The greater celandine is the only species in the genus Chelidonium, and is not closely related to the lesser celandine, which is of a different family.

Safety: It is recommended that it be taken internally in moderation and only for short periods of time.

More Bulk Herbs and Spices Information:

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For educational purposes only
This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

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