Celandine

The celandine (Chelidonium majus) is a widespread, deciduous herbaceous plant species from the genus Chelidonium of the poppy family (Papaveraceae), originally native to the temperate and warm-temperate regions of Eurasia and the Mediterranean and now also found in North America. The plant grows to a height of up to 70 centimeters and forms a branched rhizome. When the hairy stems break off or the leaves are torn, a yellow-orange, poisonous milky sap is released. It flowers from May to October.

Chelidonii herba (officinal - Ph.Eur.8, Commission E), the whole or cut aerial parts of the plant collected and dried during the flowering period, is used phytotherapeutically.

In the cosmetics industry, see Chelidonium majus extract (INCI).

Numerous alkaloids, including berberine, chelerythrine, chelidonine, coptisine, sparteine, chelidoxanthine and sanguinarine. The alkaloids are present both in the aerial parts of the plant and in the root.
Celandine extracts have an in vitro toxic effect on viruses, bacteria and fungi and are weakly cytotoxic to human cells (the cause is the content of chelidonine, coptisine and protopine). Chelerythrin and sanguinarine represent the irritant toxic principle of the plant. Both also have a cytotoxic effect.

Chelidoni herbae contains numerous alkaloids including berberin, chelerythrin, chellidonin, coptisin, spartein, chellidoxanthin and sanguinarin. The alkaloids are present both in the above-ground parts of the plant and in the root.
Celandine extracts have in vitro toxic effects on viruses, bacteria, fungi and weakly cytotoxic effects on human cells (the cause is the content of chellidonin, coptisin and protopin). Chelerythrin and Sanguinarin represent the irritant toxic principle of the plant. Both also have a cytotoxic effect.

Slightly spasmolytic in the upper digestive tract, choleretic, cholekinetic, antiphlogistic, analgesic, central depressant, antimicrobial, cyotoxic.

Internally: Component of liver and bile teas. Average daily dose 2-5g of the drug or 12-30mg total alkaloids, calculated as chelidomine.
Externally: In folk medicine, the milky sap of the plant is used externally for skin diseases such as warts, either in its native form or as an ointment.

The native juice is applied to a wart once a day for several days. The effectiveness of the therapy has been proven several times.

In cosmetics, Chelidonium majus extract (INCI) is used as an anti-dandruff agent.

In case of oral intake: Alkaloid poisoning with vomiting and diarrhea. Local irritation of the skin.
In case of exceeding the daily dose (alkaloids over 20 mg) possibly increase of liver values, bilirubin concentration, possibly toxic hepatitis.

History or manifest liver disease, concomitant administration of other preparations toxic to the liver, pregnancy and lactation, children << 12 years of age.

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