Celandine is a plant. The dried above-ground parts, root, and rhizome (underground stem) are used to make medicine.
Celandine is a part of the poppy family with blue-green leaves. Its flowers have four yellow petals which yield a pod-like fruit.
The plant has an orange coloured juice that turns red when it comes into contact with air. It has an unpleasant odour with a bitter and pungent taste.
It is indigenous to Europe and also grows in North America, where it was brought by settlers in the seventeenth century as an herbal remedy for skin ailments like warts.
The herb has been used as a sedative, an antispasmodic, antibiotic and anti-tumour agent, as well as an analgesic, diuretic and a purgative.
It has been used as an antispasmodic to treat spasticity in the gastrointestinal tract and is supposed to reduce gallbladder inflammation and inflammation of the biliary duct.
Its use also extends to traditional Chinese medicine, and it has become an important part of western phytotherapy.
Extracts of greater celandine have exhibited a broad spectrum of toxicity to harmful organisms as well as liver protecting activity.
This has led to the inclusion of greater celandine in liver and gallbladder cleansing and support protocols.
Celandine contains chelidonic acid, which has been found to relieve discomfort and be aggressive against certain harmful organisms.
In one study, chelidonic acid was found to temper indications of ulcerative colitis and provided the foreground for examination into greater celandine’s therapeutic role in relieving other intestinal irritation.
An ointment that is made by crushing the roots of lesser celandine may be useful to reduce the pain associated with piles.
When the ointment is mixed with extracts of stonecrop and then applied to boils and wounds, it helps to speed up the healing process.
Dabbing the powder extracted from the root of greater celandine on the affected area in the oral activity helps to loosen the decayed tooth.
This in turn provides minimal discomfort while removing the tooth. Chewing the root of celandine can also assist to reduce toothaches.
The medicinal herb can be of immense use for people suffering from loss of appetite. Taking extracts of celandine is beneficial to stimulate appetite.
In simple words, one may experience an increase in appetite by including these extracts in their diet.
Celandine herbal supplement carries strong warnings and is subject to restrictions in some countries and may cause severe irritation of the mucous membranes.
Pregnant and nursing women should never use this herb, nor should children or those who have liver disease.
Its use should always be carried out under the care of a qualified health care practitioner.