Celandine

(Chelidonium majus L., Papaveraceae)

Also Called: Greater CelandineGarden celandine, Greater celandine, Swallow-wort, Tetter-wort. (Not to be confused with Lesser Celandine, Ranunculus ficaria).

Description: Perennial plant 30-100 cm (12-4Oin) high with stout conical rhizome.
All parts of the plant exude an orange-yellow acrid latex when broken.
The stems are branched and hairy; leaves alternate, hairy, pinnate but the upper leaves are lobed.
Flowers golden-yellow, arranged in a loose umbel, with 4 petals and numerous stamens.

It is very common and grows on old walls, amongst ruins and on waste ground. It is one of the herbs that has followed man and is more often found near his dwelling than in secluded places. It grows about 2 ft high, is slightly hairy, and the stems are brittle and full of a bright yellow juice. The leaves are feathery, greyish underneath, from 6 to 12 inches long and 2 to 3 inches wide. Leaflets grow opposite, deeply cut with rounded teeth. The flowers are bright yellow with four petals in a calyx of two hollow parts. Black shining seeds are contained in narrow pods.

Flowering: May-June.

Parts Used: Flowering plant, fresh or dried; fresh latex.

Habitat and Collection: In hedgerows, banks and wasteplaces throughout Europe. In Britain chiefly near habitations.
The fresh herb should be gathered and the stem cut, when the yellow juice will be released and can be used for corns and warts.
Collected when in flower and dried either in the shade or in sunlight.

Constituents: An acrid latex, containing several alkaloids similar in structure to those of opium; a saponin.

Medicinal Uses: The plant is antispasmodic on smooth muscle (intestine, stomach, biliary duct) and also acts on uterine muscle.
The latex is used in the treatment of warts but the action is uncertain.
This herb is an excellent liver remedy and in turn will help skin troubles to clear up.
It has been used in cases of eczema when there has been liver trouble as well.
A sedative for inflammation of the biliary duct, for stomach pains and for asthma (action uncertain).

The name chelidonium comes from the Greek word Chelidon - meaning a swallow - because of an ancient tradition that the bird makes use of this herb to open the eyes of it's young, or restore their sight if lost.
Dr. Fernie says; 'If the yellow juice of the stalk of the celandine is applied to warts or corns after they have been gently scraped, it will cure them promptly and painlessly'

Caution: Large doses are poisonous.

Usage: A tisane (boil for 5 minutes 1-2 tablespoonfuls with 1 litre (1•75pt) of water and allow to stand).
(1 pint of boiling water should be poured on to 1 oz. of the dried herb and strained when cold. )
A wineglassful should be taken three times daily.
The fresh latex is applied to warts; it may cause ulcers.