Celandine,Swallowwort:Celandine is named after the Greek word for the swallow, because it starts flowering when the birds arrive and stops when they leave.

Contents

• Basic Botanical Info:Celandine,Swallowwort.
• Chelidonium majus Botanical Description.
• Historical or traditional use:Chelidonium majus.
• Chelidonium majus Phytochemicals and Constituents.
• Medicinal Action and Uses:Chelidonium majus.
• Chelidonium majus Therapeutics and Pharmacology.
• Dosage and Administrations:Chelidonium majus.
• Research Update:Chelidonium majus.

Medicinal Action and Uses:Chelidonium majus.:

Alterative, diuretic, purgative: It is used in jaundice, eczema, scrofulous diseases, etc., the infusion of 1 OZ. of the dried herb to a pint of boiling water being taken in wineglassful doses. The infusion is a cordial and greatly promotes perspiration. The addition of a few aniseeds in making a decoction of the herb in wine has been held to increase its efficacy in removing obstructions of the liver and gall.

 Overcoming torpid conditions of the liver:  A fluid extract is also prepared, the dose being 1/2 to 1 drachm. Eight to 10 drops of the tincture made from the whole herb, or of the fresh juice, given as a dose three times a day in sweetened water, is considered excellent for overcoming torpid conditions of the liver. In the treatment of the worst forms of scurvy it has been given with benefit.

 Cure warts, ringworm and corns:  The orange-coloured, acrid juice is commonly used fresh to cure warts, ringworm and corns, but should not be allowed to come into contact with any other part of the skin.

 Eye-lotion:  In milk, it is employed as an eye-lotion, to remove the white, opaque spots on the cornea. Mixed with sulphur, it was formerly used to cure the itch.

 Other Uses:  An ointment made of the roots and lard boiled together, also of the leaves and flowers, has been used with advantage for piles.Celandine is a very popular medicine in Russia, where it is said to have proved effective in cases of cancer. It is still used in Suffolk as a fomentation for toothache.

 Actions:  spasmolytic, cholagogue, bitter, alterative, diuretic, laxative, anodyne, purgative, caustic, anti-inflammatory, abortifacient

 Indications  cholecystitis. Specifically indicated in gallstones. Topically, the juice has been used in eczema, verrucae and malignant tumours of the skin.

 Traditional Usage:  Anti-inflammatory- Appetite Loss- Arthritic Pain Relief- Bile Deficiency- Bone and Joint Disorders- Cellular Regeneration- Cleansing- Corns- Coughs- Dandruff- Detoxification- Digestive Disorders- Eczema- Gastrointestinal Complaints- Hemorrhoids- Liver Health Maintenance- Piles- Ulcers- Urinary System Gravel- Warts


 What is Greater Celandine Used for Today?

 Test-tube and animal studies provide weak evidence that greater celandine may both stimulate and relax the gall bladder.

 In Europe, it is commonly believed that minor gall bladder problems are a cause of indigestion. On this basis, celandine was approved in 1985 by Germany's Commission E as a treatment for what we would call dyspepsia, or non-specific digestive distress. While there is some supporting evidence for this use, in view of the safety risks associated with celandine (see Safety Issues), we do not recommend using it for this purpose (or any other).

 Very preliminary evidence hints suggests that constituents of celandine may also have cancer preventive and antimicrobial properties.

 Herbalists, following the doctrine of signatures, took the bright orange color of the juice as a divine sign that it was a remedy for jaundice and liver ailments. The juice was also employed to remove warts and soften calluses. The name tetterwort comes from the use of the juice in folk medicine to treat skin problems such as pimples and blisters, disorders that were formerly called tetters.
 

 Major Medicinal Uses and Applications:

 This Eurasian herb has followed civilisation, with numerous folklore stories surrounding its uses. It was a popular herb at the height of the Roman Empire and revered during the Middle Ages for eczema and blood disorders, blindness and the plague. The doctrine of signatures hypothesis suggested that the orange sap, taken internally, was a remedy for liver complaints. One herbal writer even implied that placing the leaves under the foot, in the shoe, was a remedy for jaundice. Many, early herbal writers, had some remarkable results to report. Medieval herbalist, Tabernaemontanus, wrote that swallows were seen to pluck off celandine leaves and rub them on unopened eyes of their young, which was taken as an indication of the value of the herb in the treatment of eye diseases (which explains the common names 'swallow wort' and 'eye herb').

 Uses of the juice, have included:  eye ailments, cataracts, strained or failing vision, spots on the cornea, and bleeding or detached retina. Maria Treben in her herbal 'Health through God's pharmacy' describes how to pick the leaf stems and gently wash, then crush the wet stem between the fingers and apply the juice to the closed eyelids, 2-3 times a day. Lie down when applying the juice, to allow the eyes to rest, closed for several minutes, so that the herb has time to do its healing work. Although the juice is not rubbed into the eyes, the eyes receive benefit from it, when rubbed over the eyelids. Maria also recommended at bedtime to place washed, lightly crushed leaves over the closed eyelids, held in place with a folded, soft cloth. She mentions, when using on the eyes, not to use the flower stems of the plant, as the juice in these stems is very thick.


 Medicinal virtues:  The herb or root boiled in white wine with a few Aniseeds and drunk will open obstructions of the liver and gall. It helpeth the yellow jaundice, the dropsy and the itch and old sores in the legs and other parts. The juice taken fasting is held to be of singular good use against the pestilence. The distilled water with a little sugar and treacle hath the same effect. Dropped into the eyes the juice cleanseth them from films and cloudiness that darken the sight, but it is best to allay the sharpness of the juice with a little breast-milk.

 It causes old, filthy, corroding, creeping ulcers to heal more speedily and the juice applied to tetters, ringworms or other spreading cankers will quickly heal them too. Rubbed often on warts, it will take them away. The herb with the root bruised and bathed in Oil of Chamomile applied to the navel taketh away griping pains in the belly and bowels and all the pains of the mother. Applied to women's breasts, it stayeth the overmuch flowing of the courses.

 Modern uses:  This plant should not be used for self-medication and is contraindicated in pregnancy. The herb is used by professional herbalists as a cholagogue and hepatic tonic. It purifies the blood, increases urine production, but in overdosage it will purge. The fresh juice is still considered to he an effective application for corns and warts. It is used as an eye lotion to remove film on the eyes. Chewing the root relieves toothache. In treating the liver a few drops of the juice are taken in sweetened water. The infusion produces sweating. It is available in tincture or fluid extract form from herbalists.

 Skin diseases remedy:  In homeopathy formulations of Greater Celandine root are used for gallbladder and liver disorders as well as in some eye diseases. Greater Celandine is also used as a home remedy for some skin diseases.The juice has a strong skin-irritating effect, and was used in folk medicine to remove warts and treat such skin diseases as eczema and ringworm. Today celandine is mainly used in the production of a yellow dye for wool.


 Antispasmodic and stimulates bile flow:  It was used as an antispasmodic of the digestive organs, stomach and intestines and gallbladder. It was also used in medicines that have the ability to increase the production of gall, it is also bactericidal. A more recent investigation of this herb is in progress and now researchers are looking at its effect on cancercells. In folkmedicine it has been used to remove warts, scurvy, freckles, ringworm and abscesses. I have actually myself succeeded to remove a couple of warts with the sap of this plant, but you have to be very careful - the herb is very poisonous! As a result of the alkaloids Greater Celandine is mildly sedative and has antispasmodic action on the intestines and the gallbladder. It also stimulates bile flow. It is often used to alleviate intestinal symptoms and bile congestion. Warts can be treated by dabbing with the fresh sap several times a day.

 Toxic dose and symptoms:  This herb has poisoned children eating from the leaves and deaths have occurred but that is very rare. The sap is very bitter and irritating to the skin and mucous membranes. All the different alkaloids that you find in this herb have each and everyone a different effect so put together the total effect will be very complex. Chelidonine has a morphinelike effect and is also a cytotoxic drug. It is not especially poisonous. The alkaloid with the most poisonous effect is chelerytrine. It irritates the skin, causes vomiting and diarrhea, impairs the reflexes and has a paralyzing effect on the central nervous system. If you should eat any part from this herb you would first get a burning sensation in your mouth and throat. The mucous membranes will swell and blisters will appear. You will get nauseous start to vomit, blood will appear in your stool and in your urine. Headache follows, you get sleepy and loose consciousness and finally the circulation is stopped.

 Control neural system:  can be used to ease pain and hypnosis.
 


 Applications:

 Fresh sap:  in the case of conjunctivitis or genital warts, use celandine diluted in boiling water (1/20). To treat a wart, apply the fresh sap, which forms beads at the stem axil, 2 times daily for several consecutive days. The entire plant can also be used in a poultice on a wound. In a mother tincture, take 5 drops, 3 times a day in water or apply directly onto a wart or corn; for external use, diluted in 1 cup (250 ml) boiling water to clean an open wound or in the case of infected mucous membranes.

 A decoction made from the fresh plant:  1 leaflet for 1 cup (250 ml) water - 3 times a day to cleanse the liver and gallbladder. Add chamomile, mint or dandelion to improve the bitter, acrid taste of celandine. Doing this type of cure for 3 weeks is an excellent way to treat eczema, psoriasis and even arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries).

 Main Uses:  Taken internally, celandine has a special effect on the digestive system (stomach, gallbladder, liver), and its antispasmodic properties make it useful for asthmatic symptoms. As a hydragogue it is used for dropsical conditions. Externally, made into an ointment or a poultice, celandine can be used for skin diseases like herpes, eczema, and ringworm. The juice has some antiseptic properties and has long been used to remove warts. Mix with vinegar when using the juice on the skin.

 Cosmetic Uses of Celandine:

 Glossary notes on celandine comments this extract from the plant Chelidonium majus that has some amount of research showing it to have antiviral properties. There is no research showing it have benefit when applied topically.But cosmetic companies really use it for functional purpose as hypoallergenic and anti-inflammatory,Celandine got identified as a useful component which can bring wonderful way to treat skin diseases and irritations based on its regenerating and healing effect. The plant contains alkaloids, with an antimicrobial effect, ascorbic acid, regulates the redox processes (oxidation-reduction reaction) and flavonoids, with antioxidant and soothing effect. Celandine cleans the surface of the skin, has a positive effect on the skin at the cellular level, with anti-inflammatory and tonic effect. Effectively relieve the inflammation and irritation, soothes and nourishes the skin.Related products creams can significantly accelerates the regeneration of the skin during the night,normally combined with Vitamins A, E, C, F to reach the aim of solving the problems of your skin and keep skin young, cosmetic soap made of Celandine extract and vitamins seems nourishes skin with necessary vitamins and could normalizes skin hydro-lipid balance.

Reference:

• 1.Celandine,Swallowwort:Celandine is named after the Greek word for the swallow, because it starts flowering when the birds arrive and stops when they leave.

This article written and edited via herbalist of MDidea Extracts Professional. They run a range of online descriptions about this herb,including general information related and summarized updating discoveries from findings of professional scientisits this field related.Describe style aimed to form a useful detecting literature space where the intertwined threshold and related questions raise out and visualize themselves.

♣ last edit date:30th,Nov.2010.