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
Celandine is most often used for treating gallbladder problems. It stops spasms at the same time it stimulates the production of bile to flush gallstones away. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, celandine is more often used as a pain-relieving cough medication. The sap of the fresh herb is a traditional remedy for warts, as well as producing a buttery yellow dye for yarns and fabrics. In Russia, it is used as an agent against cancer. 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
This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
