Greater Celandine

Greater celandine grows primarily in Europe and Asia, although it has been introduced in North America. The leaves and small yellow flowers of greater celandine are used as medicine. Although the roots and rhizomes of the plant have also been used medicinally, most clinical trials have used the above-ground parts of the plant collected at the time of flowering.¹

European herbal traditions regard greater celandine as a valuable remedy for the topical treatment of warts.² It was also a folk remedy for cancer, gout, jaundice, and a variety of skin diseases. The famous French herbalist Maurice Mességué used greater celandine extensively in hand and foot baths and teas for many conditions, particularly those affecting the liver.³ In eastern Asia it was also valued as a treatment for peptic ulcer.⁴

Greater celandine, like other members of the Papaveraceae (poppy) family, contains alkaloids as its major constituents. These include chelidoxanthine, chelidonine, and coptisine. Greater celandine extracts have been shown to stimulate production of bile and pancreatic digestive enzymes in human studies.⁵

Animal and test tube studies have shown that the alkaloids and whole plant extract can relieve gallbladder spasms and stimulate an under-active gallbladder.^{6, 7} Test tube and animal studies have also shown celandine extracts and purified alkaloids to have anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer and antimicrobial properties.^{8, 9, 10} They have also shown greater celandine’s ability to protect animal livers from toxic substances.^{11, 12}

A double-blind trial found that a standardized extract of greater celandine could relieve symptoms of indigestion (such as abdominal cramping, sensation of fullness, and nausea) significantly better than a placebo.¹³ The trial used an extract standardized to 4 mg of chelidonine per capsule and gave 1–2 tablets three times daily for six weeks. An earlier, preliminary trial also found the same extract reduced symptoms in people with indigestion.¹⁴

Preliminary reports from Russia and China have reported that a tincture of greater celandine applied topically was useful for warts.¹⁵ However, these results have not yet been confirmed by double-blind clinical trials.

Several reports describe Eastern European clinical trials using semi-synthetic derivatives of greater celandine alkaloids for people with cancer.¹⁶ This injectable product goes by the name Ukrain®. The findings on this drug cannot be applied to greater celandine because the alkaloids have been modified from their original form.

One explanation for the variable results obtained from using greater celandine is improperly prepared, dried extracts.¹⁷ Drying extracts quickly at high temperature is necessary to preserve the alkaloids.¹⁸ Extracts standardized to a content of 4 mg chelidonine per capsule are recommended to be taken three times per day.¹⁹ Alternatively, one may mix 1–3 ml tincture into water and sip slowly 10–30 minutes before eating. Topical applications should consist of either concentrated tinctures or the fresh yellow latex. Herbalists and doctors recommend applying fresh latex once per day to warts and allowing it to dry in place.²⁰

Use of fresh plant products may cause stomach upset.²¹ Topical use has been associated with intense itching and a rash in one case.²² Greater celandine should be avoided during pregnancy and in children under age 12.²³ A recent report of ten women in Germany suffering from acute hepatitis following supplementation with a standardized extract of greater celandine (dosage was not given) suggest this herb should be avoided by people with hepatitis or impaired liver function. Greater celandine should be used cautiously and under the supervision of a healthcare professional until more is understood about its potential liver toxicity.²⁴