Celandine, medicinal properties, description

When I was a child, there were two doctors on the street — plantain and celandine. If you hurt your knee or elbow, you would look for a yellow flower to cover it up. You would put plantain on top, and it would seem like it didn't hurt anymore.

Today we will talk about celandine. This plant has been the subject of much controversy. On the one hand, it has long been used in folk medicine, but on the other hand, people have warned against its careless use. That is why we will examine these controversies and what celandine can treat.

Greater celandine (Chelidonium majus) is a perennial plant with a branched stem, pinnate leaves, and bright yellow four-petaled flowers. When the stem or leaves are broken, a thick orange-yellow juice is released. This feature gave it the popular name "yellow milkweed."

Interestingly, the Latin name Chelidonium comes from the Greek chelidon, which translates as swallow. There was an ancient legend that swallows used this juice to treat their chicks' eyes. Hence another name, "swallow grass."

The plant contains alkaloids (chelidonine, sanguinarine, protopine, and others), flavonoids, organic acids, and essential compounds. It is the alkaloids that explain why the medicinal properties of celandine are combined with the need for very careful dosing.

When talking about the medicinal properties of celandine, people most often refer to its external use. Yellow juice has traditionally been used to cauterize warts, papillomas, and calluses. Fresh juice has a keratolytic (resorbing) and cytotoxic effect. It literally burns away the cells of the growth. But don't be silly like you were as a child and apply the juice thinking that everything will fall off immediately. You need to apply celandine in a thin layer for several days.

In addition, the plant helps with fungal infections, eczema, and psoriasis. A diluted infusion or ointments based on it are used for anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial therapy.

The plant is not only used externally. It has choleretic and antispasmodic effects, as well as antitumor activity.

For problems with the liver and gallbladder (dyskinesia, cholecystitis), it should be consumed in the form of weak infusions or complex herbal mixtures. It relieves spasms and promotes bile flow. Research into celandine alkaloids (in particular, chelidonine) continues in the context of a possible cytostatic effect. That is, the ability to fight cancer. However, this is a question for modern pharmacology, not self-medication. Because it is precisely because of alkaloids that the thoughtless use of celandine becomes a problem.

The following effects are possible ⚠️:

Absolute contraindications: pregnancy, breastfeeding, epilepsy, angina pectoris, bronchial asthma, severe liver disease, mental disorders, childhood.

Therefore, internal use of celandine is only possible in recommended doses and for a short period of time. It is enough to take the plant for 1-2 weeks, then take a break for 3-4 weeks.

So, common celandine🌿 is not a herb for tea. It is a powerful plant with pronounced medicinal properties. Its benefits are limitless for the external treatment of skin problems. However, when used internally, celandine's benefits and harms are balanced. But if used wisely, with respect and a clear understanding of where the line is drawn, the plant can help get rid of many liver and gallbladder health problems.

Do you have questions about using celandine or doubts about choosing the format and dosage of supplements? Write to a consultant and get a clear, balanced answer tailored to your situation.