Chelidonium majus - Greater celandine

Family: Papaveraceae (Poppy/Fumitory family) ^[E-flora]

"Chelidonium majus is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.5 m (1ft 8in) by 0.4 m (1ft 4in) at a fast rate.
It is hardy to zone (UK) 6 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from May to August, and the seeds ripen from Jul to September. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Bees, flies, beetles, self.The plant is self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil." ^[PFAF]

"General: Perennial herb from a taproot and a somewhat woody stem-base; stems erect, branched, few, ribbed, sparsely hairy, 30-80 cm tall, with orange-coloured juice." ^{[IFBC-E-flora]}

"Leaves: Basal leaves bright green above, blue-green and smooth beneath, blades broadly oblong to egg-shaped, pinnately divided to the midvein into round-lobed or toothed segments, 6-25 cm long, the stalks 2-10 cm long; stem leaves similar, alternate." ^{[IFBC-E-flora]}

"Characteristics: Celandine has a hot and bitter taste. The latex has a narcotic fragrance." ^[PDR]

"Habitat / Range Mesic to dry roadsides and fields in the lowland and montane zones; rare in SW and SC BC; introduced from Eurasia." ^{[IFBC-E-flora]}

Origin Status: Exotic ^[E-flora]

Hazards

• "The whole plant is poisonous[7, 10, 19]. It is of very low toxicity and this is greatly reduced by drying the plant[65]. The stem juice is highly irritating and allergenic, it may cause paralysis[222]. Large doses cause sleepiness, skin irritation, respiratory tract irritation, violent coughing and dyspnoea[268]. It also stains the urine bright yellow and may cause ulcers[268]. May cause burning sensation in the mouth, nausea and vomiting. Avoid contact with eyes. Concerns of liver toxicity so avoid in those with liver disease. Not recommended during pregnancy and for children under 12 [301]." ^[PFAF]
  
• "Contraindications, Interactions, and Side Effects (Celandine) — Class 2b, 2d (AHP). None known (KOM). Not to be used by children (AHP). Canadian regulations do not allow celandine in food. Australians counsel that it “may affect glaucoma treatment.” Germans report that it takes more than 500 g celandine to cause toxic effects in cattle and horses (AHP). Side effects include dry mouth and dizziness (PNC). Overdoses can cause dizziness, hematuria, intestinal colic, stomach pain, and urinary urgency (SHT). Consumption of fresh herb may cause GI distress (AHP). Stem juice allergenic, irritant, and paralytic (FAD). “Thought to be hepatotoxic” (BRU)." ^{[HMH Duke]}
• "No health hazards or side effects are known in conjunction with the proper administration of designated therapeutic dosages. Older scientific literature credits the plant with toxicity (burning in the mouth, nausea, vomiting, bloody diarrhea, hematuria, stupor), but recent studies offer no clear proof of this; animal experiments yielded no results. No symptoms of inflammation were observed in the eyes of rabbits following introduction of the chyle. Nevertheless, contact between it and the eyes should be avoided. Pregnancy: Not to be used during pregnancy." ^[PDR]

• Leaves
  • "cooked in small quantities[177]. They contain small amounts of toxic alkaloids[179]. The leaves are boiled with clean earth, the mixture is left overnight and then thoroughly washed in several changes of water[179]. Very much a famine food, to be used when all else fails!![K]." ^[PFAF]

Other Uses

• Oil
  • "Seed contains 50 - 66% of a fatty oil[74]. No more details given." ^[PFAF]
    

Medicinal Uses

"Greater celandine has a long history of herbal use[4]. Traditionally it was employed as an ophthalmic to treat and clear the eyesight whilst in modern herbal medicine it is used more as a mild sedative, antispasmodic and detoxifying herb, relaxing the muscles of the bronchial tubes, intestines and other organs[254]." ^[PFAF]
"The German Commission E Monographs, a therapeutic guide to herbal medicine, approve Chelidonium majus for liver and gallbladder complaints (see [302] for critics of commission E)." ^[PFAF]

• Herb
  • "Approved by Commission E: Liver and gallbladder complaints ^[PDR]
    
  • "Unproven Uses: Celandine is used for spasmodic pain of the bile ducts and the gastrointestinal tract. In folk medicine, it was used for skin conditions such as blister rashes, scabies and warts. It is said to be effective in the treatment of cholecystitis, chloelithiasis, catarrhal jaundice, gastroenteritis, and diffuse latent liver and gall bladder complaints. It has also been used for intestinal polyps and breast lumps. Other uses include angina pectoris, cramps, asthma, arteriosclerosis, high blood pressure, stomach cancer, gout, edema and hepatitis." ^[PDR]
  • "Chinese Medicine: Celandine is used for inflammation of the rim of the eyelid, febrile and ulcerating dermatitis, warts, edema, ascites, jaundice and stomach carcinomas" ^[PDR]
  • Production: "Celandine herb consists of the dried, above ground parts of Chelidonium majus gathered during flowering season. The herb is collected in the wild during the flowering season and dried at high temperatures." ^[PDR]
• Leaves & Sap
  • "The leaves and the sap are acrid, alterative, anodyne, antispasmodic, caustic, cholagogue, diaphoretic, diuretic, hydrogogue, narcotic, purgative[4, 7, 9, 21, 46, 165, 238]. They are used in the treatment of bronchitis, whooping cough, asthma, jaundice, gallstones and gallbladder pains[254]." ^[PFAF]
    
• Sap:
  • Eye Medicine: "In Classical medicine, however, the main use of the latex seems to have been as an eye ointment, in deference to a myth that female swallows restored the sight of their young with it (whence the subsidiary name ‘swallow-wort’). In unskilled hands that must always have been most dangerous, yet records from areas as widely separate as Sutherland,⁹⁹ Norfolk¹⁰⁰ and especially Devon¹⁰¹ and Cornwall¹⁰² (whence ‘kenning herb’ there) point to a once-frequent adherence to that belief; in Glamorgan, indeed, it has even been used for removing a cataract (one Welsh name of the plant is llym llygaid, ‘sharp eyes’).¹⁰³ William Withering noted that, when diluted with milk, the juice does indeed consume the white opaque spots on the eye familiarly known as kennings and opined, ‘there is no doubt but a medicine of such activity will one day be converted to more important purposes.’¹⁰⁴" ^[MPFT]
  • Warts/Ringworm/Corns: "The plant has an abundant acrid bright-orange sap that stains the skin strongly and is powerfully irritant[4]. It is used as an external treatment to get rid of warts, ringworm and corns[13, 187, 222, 244] and has also been used to remove films from the cornea of the eye[4]. The latex is much used externally to treat warts. Caution should be employed, especially when the plant is used internally however, because it contains toxic alkaloids[7, 21]." ^[PFAF]
  • "Like other herbs with a highly corrosive latex, this plant has traditionally been used for warts above all (as recommended in several herbals and as reflected in various vernacular names) and very widely for corns, as in Somerset⁹³ and Gloucestershire.⁹⁴ As an astringent it has found favour for removing wrinkles (East Riding of Yorkshire⁹⁵) and suntan and freckles (unlocalised).⁹⁶ More drastic has been its role as an acrid spring purgative and kidney stimulant in the Isle of Man⁹⁷ and for treating cancer of the liver in Suffolk⁹⁸—it was formerly much used for cancer in Russia." ^[MPFT]
    
• Root
  • "Unproven Uses: In folk medicine, the fresh roots are chewed to alleviate toothache, and a powder derived from the roots is applied to ease tooth extraction." ^[PDR]
    
  • "Chinese Medicine: Preparations are used for irregular menstruation." ^[PDR]
    
  • "Homeopathic Uses: Chelidonium majus is used for inflammation, stones and chronic disorders of the hepatobiliary system, rheumatism and inflammation of the lungs and pleura." ^[PDR]
  • Production: "Greater Celandine root is the root, harvested between August and October, of Chelidonium majus. The herb is gathered in uncultivated regions and harvested commercially." ^[PDR] "The roots can also be used, these are harvested in the autumn and dried for later use[9]." ^[PFAF]
    
• Plant
  • Anticancer: "The plant has anticancer properties and is analgesic[4, 218]." ^[PFAF]
  • Stomach Ulcers: "It is an important component of a stomach ulcer drug[218]." ^[PFAF]
  • Harvesting: "The plant is harvested in the spring as it comes into flower, it is best used fresh[7], but can also be dried for later use[9]." ^[PFAF]

"Dosages (Celandine) — 0.5 g herb single dose (HHB); 3–9 g herb/day (MAB); 2–5 g crude herb (or 12–30 mg total alkaloids) (KOM; SHT); 0.5 g root (PHR); 2–4 ml liquid extract (PNC); 1–2 ml/day fluid extract (1:2) (MAB); 2–4 ml/day tincture (1:5) (MAB); 1.8–7.5 g juice (MAD)" ^{[HMH Duke]}

• Herb "Mode of Administration: Comminuted and powdered drug for infusions and decoctions; dried extracts for liquid and solid medicinal forms for internal use.
  Preparations: Fluid extract — 1:1 in 25% ethanol. Tincture — 1:10 in 45% ethanol (BHP83). Tea — allow 1V2 dessertspoonfuls to draw in boiling water for 10 minutes. Infusion — 1 5 gm dried herb to 1 liter of water, leave to draw for 1 5 minutes. Daily Dosage: The average daily dose is 2 to 4 gm of drug in liquid or solid extracts, equivalent to 1 2 to 30 mg total alkaloids calculated as chelidonine; fluid extract, 1 to 2 ml three times daily; decoction, 3 cups daily; infusion, 3 cups between meals.
  Storage: Celandine herb should be protected carefully from light." ^[PDR]
  
• Root "Mode of Administration: Most standardized and compound preparations contain the extract of Celandine herb; various homeopathic preparations also contain dilutions of the fresh herb Greater Celandine.
  Daily Dosage: The standard dose is 0.5 gm of drug.
  Homeopathic Dosage: 5 drops, 1 tablet, 1 0 globules every 30 to 60 minutes (acute) or 1 to 3 times daily (chronic); parenterally: 1 to 2 ml sc acute: 3 times daily; chronic: once daily (HAB1).
  Storage: Preparations must be stored carefully." ^[PDR]

"Extracts (Celandine) — Extracts, as well as chelidonine, chelerythrine, protopine, and sanguinarine have antibacterial and antitussive activities (PNC). Chelidonine lowers arterial blood pressure, relaxes smooth muscle spasms and bronchial spasm, increases urine production, and delays or inhibits the development of anaphylactic shock in vivo. Alpha-allocryptopine, chelidonine, and sanguinarine have in vivo analgesic activities (PNC). LD₅₀ (decoction) 9500 mg/kg ipr mouse (MAB); LD₅₀ (alkaloids) 300 mg/kg scu mouse (MAB)." ^{[HMH Duke]}

Select Indications — Amenorrhea (f; FAD; MAD); Angina (f; HHB; PHR); Asthma (f; MAD; PHR; PH2); Atherosclerosis (f; HH2; PHR; PH2); Bacteria (1; BRU; PNC); Biliary Dyskinesia (2; KOM; SHT); Bronchosis (1; MAB; MAD; PNC); Cancer (1; CRC; MAB; PHR); Cancer, breast (1; CRC; JLH); Cancer, colon (1; CRC; FNF; JLH); Cancer, jaw (1; CRC; FNF; JLH); Cancer, kidney (1; CRC; JLH); Cancer, lip (f; CRC; JLH); Cancer, liver (f; CRC; FNF; JLH); Cancer, lung (1; MAB); Cancer, mouth (1; CRC; FNF; JLH); Cancer, neck (1; CRC; FNF; JLH); Cancer, nose (1; CRC; FNF; JLH; PH2); Cancer, ovary (f; CRC; FNF; JLH); Cancer, parotid (1; CRC; FNF; JLH); Cancer, penis (1; CRC; FNF; JLH); Cancer, pharynx (1; FNF; PH2); Cancer, rectum (1; CRC; FNF; JLH); Cancer, skin (f; CRC; FNF; JLH); Cancer, spleen (1;CRC; FNF; JLH); Cancer, stomach (1; CRC; FNF; JLH; PH2); Cancer, testicle (1; CRC; FNF; JLH); Cancer, tongue (1; CRC; FNF; JLH); Cancer, urethra (1; CRC; FNF; JLH); Cancer, uterus (1; CRC; FNF; JLH); Candida (1; HH2; MAB); Catarrh (f; HHB; PHR); Cholecystosis (2; CRC; HHB; MAB; MAD; PHR; PH2); Condylomata (1; CRC; HH2; MAB); Corneal Opacity (f; MAB; MAD); Corn (f; CRC; PNC); Cramp (2; HHB; KOM; MAB; PH2; SHT); Eczema (f; CRC; FAD); Edema (f; MAD; PHR; PH2); Enterosis (2; HHB; KOM; MAB); Fever (f; CRC; MAD); Freckle (f; CRC; MAD); Fungus (1; HH2; MAB); Gastrosis (2; BRU; HHB; KOM; MAB); Gout (f; CRC; MAD; PHR; PH2); Hemorrhoid (1; CRC; FAD); Hepatosis (2; CRC; MAB; MAD; PHR; PH2); Herpes (1; MAB); High Blood Pressure (1; KOM; PHR; PH2; PNC); Hyperglycemia (f; CRC); Hypertonia (f; KOM; PH2); Hypochondria (f; MAD); IBS (2; MAB); Immunodepression (1; KOM; PH2); Infection (1; HH2; MAB); Inflammation (1; FAD; MAB; PNC); Insomnia (f; CRC; HHB); Jaundice (f; CRC; HHB; MAB; MAD; PHR; PH2); Mastosis (f; JLH; PH2); Mycosis (1; HH2; MAB); Nervousness (f; CRC; HHB); Pain (1; CRC; HHB; PH2; PNC); Pertussis (2; MAB; MAD; PNC); Pneumonia (f; HHB; MAD); Polyp (2; CRC; MAB; PHR; PH2); Psoriasis (1; CRC; MAB; MAD); Rhinosis (f; JLH; PH2); Ringworm (f; CRC; FAD); Scabies (f; MAD; PHR; PH2); Staphylococcus (1; HH2; MAD); Stone (f; HHB; MAD; PHR); Toothache (f; MAD; PHR); Tumor (1; CRC; MAB); Virus (1; BRU; MAB); Wart (f; CRC; HHB; MAB; MAD; PHR); Water retention (1; MAD; PNC); Wound (f; CRC; FAD); Yeast (1; HH2; MAB). “Spastic discomfort of the bile ducts and gastrointestinal tract” (KOM). ^{[HMH Duke]}

Pharmacology

Activities - "Abortifacient (f; MAD); Alterative (f; CRC; PNC); Analgesic (1; CRC; PH2; PNC); Anthelminthic (f; MAD); Antiaggregant (1; MAB); Antianaphylactic (1; PNC); Antibacterial (1; PNC); Anticancer (f; CRC); Antiherpetic (1; MAB); Antiinflammatory (1; MAB; PNC); Antileukotriene (1; MAB); Antimutagenic (1; MAB); Antisarcomic (1; MAB); Antiseptic (1; MAB; PH2); Antispasmodic (1; KOM; MAB; SHT); Antithromboxane (1; MAB); Antitussive (1; PNC); Antitumor (1; MAB); Antiviral (1; BRU; MAB); Aphrodisiac (f; CRC); Candidicide (1; HH2; MAB); Cholagogue (1; BRU; PH2; SHT); Cholekinetic (1; MAB; SHT); Choleretic (1; BRU; MAB; SHT); CNS-Depressant (1; HHB; PH2); Collyrium (f; CRC); Cytotoxic (1; KOM; MAB; PH2); Deobstruent (f; CRC); Diaphoretic (f; CRC; MAD); Diuretic (1; MAD; PNC); Expectorant (f; CRC); Fungicide (1; HH2; MAB); Hepatoprotective (1; CRC; MAB); Hepatotoxic (1; BRU); Hypoglycemic (f; CRC); Hypotensive (1; KOM; PH2; PNC); Immunostimulant (1; KOM; PH2); Keratopreventive (1; MAB); Laxative (f; CRC); 5-Lipoxygenase-Inhibitor (1; MAB); 12-Lipoxygenase-Inhibitor (1; MAB); Myocontractant (f; PH2); Myorelaxant (1; PNC); Protisticide (1; MAB); Sedative (f; CRC; HHB); Trichomonicide (1; MAB); Uterocontractant (1; PH2); Vulnerary (1; MAB)." ^{[HMH Duke]}

Herb: "Celandine has mild analgesic, cholagogic, antimicrobial,, oncostatic and central-sedative effects. It also acts as a spasmolytic on smooth muscles. In animal tests, Celandine is a cytostatic. It also has a nonspecific immune-stimulating effect. Note: The blood pressure-lowering effects and the therapeutic efficacy for mild forms of hypertonia (borderline hypertonia) need further investigation." ^[PDR]

Phytochemicals
"The plant contains the alkaloid chelidonine, which is similar to the alkaloid papaverine found in poppies. This alkaloid has antispasmodic and sedative effects on the bile ducts and bronchi. However, results have been inconsistent, especially if the preparation is not fresh[244]. The plant also contains the alkaloid sparteine, which restores normal rhythm to feeble arrhythmic myocardia[207]." ^[PFAF]

• Herb
  
  • "Isoquinoline alkaloids of the protoberberine type: including coptisine (main alkaloid), berberine" ^[PDR]
    
  • "Isoquinoline alkaloids of the benzophenanthridine type: including chelidonine, sanguinarine, chelerythrine" ^[PDR]
    
  • "Isoquinoline alkaloids of the protopine type: including protopin, cryptopine Caffeic acid derivatives: including 2-(-)-coffeoyl-
  • D-glyceric acid, coffeoyl-L-malic acid" ^[PDR]
    
    
• Root
  
• "Isoquinoline alkaloids of the protoberberine type: including coptisine (main alkaloid), berberine" ^[PDR]
  
• "Isoquinoline alkaloids of the benzophenanthridine type: including chelidonine. sanguinarine, chelerythrin" ^[PDR]
  
• "Isoquinoline alkaloids of the protopine-type: including protopin, cryptopine" ^[PDR]
  
• "Caffeic acid derivatives: including 2-(-)-coffeoyl-D-glyceric acid, coffeoyl-L-malic acid" ^[PDR]
  

Cultivation

"Succeeds in any soil other than boggy conditions[1, 111, 233]. Prefers a rich soil of a woodland nature[1, 31]. Shade tolerant[31]. Plants grow well on walls if they are given a semi-shaded position and a pocket of soil into which to root[219]. A short-lived perennial[187], but it self-sows freely and can easily become a weed[200]. It quickly colonizes waste ground and thin woodland areas[233]. Once established, the plant is very difficult to eradicate." ^[PFAF]

"Groundcover: Plants rapidly form a ground cover, but should only be used in wild places because of their invasive nature[200]." ^[PFAF]

"Propagation Seed - sow in situ February to May or August to November. Germination usually takes place within 1 - 12 months[164, 200]. The plant self-sows freely and should not need much encouragement. Division in March[111]. The plant bleeds profusely so this method is not recommended[200]." ^[PFAF]

Synonyms

• Chelidonium haematodes. ^[E-flora]
• Chelidonium laciniatum. ^[E-flora]
• Chelidonium luteum. ^[E-flora]
• Chelidonium umbelliferum. ^[E-flora]

References

1. [E-flora] http://linnet.geog.ubc.ca/Atlas/Atlas.aspx?sciname=Chelidonium%20majus, Accessed Jan 25, 2015; March 27, 2021
2. [PFAF] http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Chelidonium+majus, Accessed March 29, 2015

Chelidonium Sp. - Celandine

"The genus Chelidonium is in the family Papaveraceae in the major group Angiosperms (Flowering plants)." "The Plant List includes 19 scientific plant names of species rank for the genus Chelidonium. Of these 2 are accepted species names." These are Chelidonium asiaticum (Hara) Krahulc. and Chelidonium majus L. ^{[ThePlantList]} "Contains 1 Species and 1 accepted taxa overall" This being Chelidonium majus L., containing three viarieties, var. laciniatum (Mill.) Syme, var. majus, and var. plenum Wehrhahn. ^[USDA] "Chelidonium is a small genus, consisting of two to three species, depending on the taxonomic treatment. These are:[2][4] Chelidonium asiaticum - Native to eastern Asia Chelidonium hylomeconoides - Native only to the Korean peninsula Chelidonium majus - Native to Europe, northern Africa, and western Asia" ^[Wiki]

Local Species;

1. Chelidonium majus - greater celandine ^[E-flora]

References

• [ThePlantList] The Plant List (2013). Version 1.1. Published on the Internet; http://www.theplantlist.org/1.1/browse/A/Papaveraceae/Chelidonium/, Accessed March 27, 2021
  • Current Version: http://www.theplantlist.org/tpl1.1/search?q=Chelidonium, Accessed March 27, 2021
• [USDA] Classification for Kingdom Plantae Down to Genus Chelidonium L.,
• https://plants.usda.gov/java/ClassificationServlet?source=display&classid=CHELI , Accessed March 27, 2021
• [Wiki] Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chelidonium , Accessed March 27, 2021
  • [2] Chelidonium L. Kew Botanical Gardens, http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:31637-1
  • [4] Same reference as Version 1.1 of [ThePlantList]. Current version, circa. March 27, 2021, confirms two accepted species and several unresolved.