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Celandine in Herbal Medicine: Properties of Celandine

Scientific name

Chelidonium majus L.

Family

Papaveraceae

Origin

Very common herb found everywhere

Synonyms

definitively

Used Parts

Drug given by the aerial parts and the latex obtained by cutting the stem

Chemical constituents

  • Alkaloids (chelidonine, cheleritrine, berberine, sanguinarine, protopine).

Celandine in Herbal Medicine: Properties of Celandine

Celandine, in the past, was used as a choleretic and antispastic bile duct, but today it has been abandoned due to lack of data on the safety of use. The spasmolytic activity, aimed mainly at the sphincter of Oddi, combined with a hepatic-biliary draining action, justified the use of celandine in the presence of biliary colic and digestive difficulties of hepatic origin.

Biological activity

As mentioned, in the past celandine was used for the treatment of hepatobiliary disorders, by virtue of the cholagogic, choleretic and antispasmodic properties ascribed to it. However, due to the lack of adequate clinical studies capable of demonstrating its real efficacy and effective safety in use, this use has now been abandoned.

Furthermore, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, cytostatic and immunostimulant activities are ascribed to celandine.

A recent study (2016) conducted on animals has shown that, in fact, celandine extracts are able to exert a pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory action; however, the exact mechanism of action with which this occurs has not yet been identified.

Another recent study (2015) has instead shown that the chelidonine contained in the plant can be useful in the treatment of allergic asthma, since this molecule is able to inhibit the synthesis of IgE and is also able to exert an action anti-inflammatory on the airways through inhibition of the synthesis of interleukins.

Other studies, on the other hand, have highlighted the potential cytotoxic and anticancer activities of celandine. In fact, from these studies it emerged that the extracts of this plant are able to induce apoptosis in different types of malignant cells.

However, before being able to approve similar medical applications of celandine, it is necessary to carry out further and more in-depth studies.

Currently, celandine uses the ocher yellow latex that comes out of the stems, successfully used as an external remedy against warts and condyloma. The celandine extracts are also used for the formulation of dandruff shampoos, in synergistic association with island lichen and vegetable tars.

Celandine in folk medicine and homeopathy

In folk medicine, celandine was used for the treatment of skin diseases such as bullous eruptions and as a remedy for treating warts and scabies, but not only. This plant, in fact, was used by traditional medicine for the treatment of a wide variety of disorders, such as cholecystitis, cholelithiasis, hepatobiliary disorders, jaundice, gastroenteritis, angina pectoris, arteriosclerosis, hypertension, asthma, gout, edema and, indeed, for treatment of intestinal polyps, breast lumps and stomach cancer.

Furthermore, in folk medicine, the roots of celandine were chewed to counteract toothache.

In traditional Chinese medicine, however, celandine is used as a remedy to regularize the menstrual cycle and as a remedy for the treatment of eyelid inflammation, ulcerative dermatitis, warts, edema, ascites and even for the treatment of gastric carcinomas.

Celandine is also exploited by homeopathic medicine, where it can be found in the form of drops, granules, mother tincture and ointment.

In this context, the plant is used in case of gallstones, jaundice, acute hepatitis, rheumatism, inflammation of the lungs and pleura, asthma, dyspnea, cough and dyspeptic disorders.

The amount of homeopathic remedy to be taken can vary from patient to patient, also depending on the type of disorder that must be treated and according to the type of preparation and homeopathic dilution that is intended to be used.

NB: the applications of celandine for the treatment of the aforementioned disorders are neither approved, nor supported by the appropriate experimental tests, or have they not passed them. For this reason, they could be devoid of therapeutic efficacy or even be harmful to health.

Side effects

Following internal use of celandine or its preparations, gastrointestinal irritation, hepato-toxicity and leukopenia may occur. Furthermore, the alkaloid content of the plant can lead to the onset of muscle spasms and paralysis.

Warnings

Contact between the celandine or its preparations and the eyes must be avoided, due to the potential adverse effects that could occur.

Contraindications

Avoid taking celandine and its preparations in case of hypersensitivity to one or more components, during pregnancy and during breastfeeding.

Pharmacological Interactions

  • sedatives of the CNS.