Celandine

Western Bulk Herbs – Celandine

Celandine is most often used for treating gallbladder problems because it stops spasms as it stimulates the production of bile to flush gallstones away. The Chinese use it for pain relief in cough medication and in Russia it’s used as an agent against cancer. It can be burned as incense. It’s also used as a remedy for warts.

Latin Name:
Ranunculus ficaria

Common Names:
Small Celandine, Figwort, Smallwort, and Pilewort. Also, Chelidonium majus, Bai Qu Cai, Chelidonii, Chelidonii Herba, Greater Celandine, Schollkraut, Tetterwort, Verruguera.

Parts Used:
The whole herb is collected in the wild state. Also known as “wildcrafted”.

Properties:
the whole plant above the ground is used but the roots contain

Traditional Uses:
Mostly used as capsules and extracts but can be into a tea.

Culinary Uses:
Not used in cooking.

Chemical Properties:
Contains Berberine, sanguinarine, chelidonine, protopine, coptisine, and stylopine.

Cautions:
Do not use Celandine if you are pregnant. Should not be used by children. Do not use if there is bile duct obstruction from impacted gallstones, cholangitis and bile duct cancer, liver cancer or pancreatic cancer. Do not use if there is septic gallbladder inflammation or liver diseases due to its liver stimulating effects.

Folk Lore:
According to magic lore, when Celandine is burned as incense, it will protect you and is confusing to your enemies. It is reputed for keeping away both witches and the police. It is also used to produce a buttery yellow dye for yarns and fabrics.

*Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Resources:
PDR for Herbal Medicines, 2000. Medical Economics Company, Montvale, New Jersey.

The New Holistic Herbal. David Hoffmann, 1990. Barnes and Noble Books, New York.

A Modern Herbal, Mrs. M. Grieve, (Dover Publications, New York, 1971)

Major Herbs of Ayurvedic.Compiled by Dahur Research Foundation and Dahur Ayurvet Limited, Ghaziabad, India., 2002. Churchill Livingstone, London, England.

Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica, Third Edition, Dan Bensky and Andrew Gamble, 1986. Eastland Press, Seattle, WA.