Celandine Herb Profile

Also known as

Chelidonium majus, Bai Qu Cai, Chelidonii, Chelidonii Herba, Greater Celandine, Schollkraut, Tetterwort, Verruguera.

Introduction

Celandine is a herbaceous perennial in the poppy family, with blue-green, divided leaves and flowers of four yellow petals yielding a pod-like fruit. It has an odd and unpleasant odor and a bitter and pungent taste. It is indigenous to Europe, but is naturalized in the United States. The word celandine is a corruption of the Greek word Chelidon, which translates as "a swallow". This refers to the tradition of Chelidonium, which says that the herb blooms when the swallows arrive, and fades when they depart.

Constituents

Berberine (the same chemical found in goldenseal and Oregon grape root), sanguinarine (also found in blood root), chelidonine, protopine, coptisine, and stylopine. The root has a much greater content of these chemicals than the above-ground parts of the plant.

Parts Used

The above-ground parts of the plant, dried, cut and/or powdered.

Typical Preparations

Can be used to make teas, but more often used as an extract or encapsulation.

Summary

When burned as incense, celandine is said to be protective and confusing to ones enemies, and reputed to keep away both witches and the police.

Precautions

Not recommended for use while pregnant

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.