What effect does celandine have?
The stems, leaves and flowers of celandine (Chelidonium majus) contain up to one percent alkaloids such as chelidonine, coptisine and sanguinarine as well as chelidonic acid and caffeic acid derivatives. Studies have shown that the medicinal plant has an antispasmodic and choleretic effect. Its use for cramp-like complaints in the biliary tract and gastrointestinal tract is therefore medically recognized.
There are also indications of other effects: According to this, celandine also has mild analgesic, cell division inhibiting and antiviral effects, among others. The last two effects could explain the long-standing use of celandine against warts. This is because warts are caused by viruses.
How is celandine used?
Celandine is used when it is in flower (only the above-ground parts of the plant). Only the use of finished preparations made from it with a standardized alkaloid content is recommended. The reason for this is that the plant parts themselves contain unclear amounts of alkaloids. An excess of these can be potentially toxic and damage the liver. Therefore, do not drink any home-made tea containing celandine.
Traditionally, the milky sap of the medicinal plant or a tincture of celandine is applied to warts to get rid of them.
Home remedies based on medicinal plants have their limits. If your symptoms persist over a longer period of time and do not improve or even get worse despite treatment, you should always consult a doctor.
What side effects can celandine cause?
In rare cases, gastrointestinal complaints occur. In some patients, liver function deteriorates and jaundice (icterus) develops. Cases of liver failure have also occurred with the use of celandine.
The reason for this was possibly an overdose of alkaloids or incorrect use – for example in the case of existing severe inflammation of the liver or bile ducts. An overdose of celandine can also cause stomach pain, intestinal colic, urinary urgency and blood in the urine.
What you should bear in mind when using celandine
- Adhere to the dosage and duration of use specified in the package leaflet or by your doctor or pharmacist. As a general rule, you should use celandine for a maximum of four weeks without interruption.
- Pregnant women, nursing mothers and children under the age of twelve must also refrain from using celandine.
- If signs of liver damage occur during treatment (such as yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, pain in the upper abdomen, nausea, loss of appetite), you must stop taking the celandine preparation immediately and consult a doctor.
How to obtain celandine products
You can obtain ready-made preparations based on the medicinal plant from your pharmacy or drugstore. For correct use, please read the relevant package leaflet or ask your doctor or pharmacist.
What is celandine?
Chelidonium majus is a perennial, herbaceous plant from the poppy family (Papaveraceae). It is widespread in Europe, Central and North Asia and is now naturalized in North America. The ruderal plant likes to grow on roadsides, fields and rubble heaps, for example, preferably in places influenced by humans.
The herbaceous perennial, which grows up to around one meter tall, has slightly hairy, branched stems and unpaired, pinnate leaves. The golden-yellow flowers have four petals and numerous stamens. All parts of the celandine contain a yellow to orange-colored milky sap, which oozes out when the plant is injured or picked and turns the skin yellow when touched.
