Schoellkraut

Greater celandine (Chelidonium majus) belongs to the poppy family and was formerly found only in the temperate to warm climate zones of Eurasia, especially in the Mediterranean region. With settlers who migrated there, greater celandine also spread to North America. Most gardeners consider it a weed.

This nitrogen lover feels especially comfortable near people: junkyards, roadside edges, and even wall cracks are its home. Greater celandine prefers partly sunny to partly shaded and rather warm conditions. It indicates fresh and nitrogen-rich soils.

Folk medicine prescribes greater celandine externally against warts, either using the plant parts directly or as an ointment. However, the herb can cause skin irritation. Therefore, you should never use it without medical advice.

When used internally, greater celandine was long considered a remedy against cramps of the digestive system and bloating. However, never self-treat with the plant or products containing it – always consult your doctor first. Because incorrect intake of greater celandine can lead to poisoning symptoms and it has also been suspected for several years of damaging the liver.

There are also differing findings on whether the benefit-risk ratio is positive or negative. A finding by the European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy (ESCOP) rated the ratio as positive and suggested that it could be used for mild cramps of the upper gastrointestinal tract as well as mild gallbladder complaints. However, shortly after, the Committee on Herbal Medicinal Products (HMPC) of the European Medicines Agency came to the exact opposite conclusion.

As a poppy family plant, greater celandine is full of various alkaloids. So far, scientists have been able to isolate and identify more than 20 of them. They occur throughout the plant, but only the above-ground parts are used for medicinal purposes. In autumn, the root is even highly toxic because the alkaloids concentrate there during that time!
The best-known representatives of the alkaloids in greater celandine are:

• Berberine
• Chelidonine
• Sparteine
• Sanguinarine

As we explained above, too much greater celandine can be toxic. As Paracelsus once rightly stated, the dose makes the poison. In rare cases, gastrointestinal complaints occur in connection with greater celandine. Liver function worsens in a few patients, and unfortunately, liver failure has even been observed during the use of greater celandine. However, it must be said that greater celandine could not be directly identified as the cause of the liver failure. 

The cause of all complaints seems to have been the alkaloids. These must not be taken in cases of existing liver and bile duct inflammations. So if you have taken too much greater celandine, symptoms include stomach pain, intestinal colic, and often frequent urination.

For a greater celandine tea, take one to two teaspoons of chopped and dried greater celandine leaves and pour over with 150 ml of boiling water. The steeping time is 10 minutes. Ideally, use high-quality loose tea. To minimize side effects, you should increase the dose gradually. Starting with half a teaspoon of loose tea is ideal.  

The history of greater celandine is almost as old as naturopathy itself. Already in antiquity, there are references to the naturopathic use of greater celandine. Additionally, there are mentions of greater celandine by Hildegard of Bingen as well as by the Greek physician Hippocrates. Even then, it was used against digestive complaints, cramps, and warts.

In the Middle Ages, greater celandine was a staple of folk medicine. It was used against liver problems and jaundice. Over time, more and more myths grew around greater celandine, such as its use against evil spirits or as a divine gift.

This millennia-old tradition continues: Even today, there are medical applications for greater celandine. It is mainly used against mild gastrointestinal complaints such as slight cramps. However, greater celandine also symbolizes the need to preserve naturopathic knowledge like that of Hildegard of Bingen.

The upright, branched herb reaches about 60 centimeters in height. The leaves resemble oak leaves with their notches, are lighter on the underside, and are overall covered with a waxy layer that repels water. During the long flowering period from spring to autumn, greater celandine shines with sunny yellow flowers.

For the highest quality greater celandine, it is recommended to grow it yourself. In many gardens, greater celandine already appears as an unwanted weed, although it is actually a beautiful perennial. If you want to deliberately plant greater celandine, sow the seeds outdoors in March. The seeds should only be lightly covered or pressed into the soil. Greater celandine seeds are light germinators and do not sprout in complete darkness.

The hardy greater celandine then doesn’t need much care. A little liquid fertilizer once a month is more than enough for it. Since greater celandine spreads quickly on its own, the seed pods should be removed before they mature. 

Warning: The sap that oozes from injured leaves is highly staining and corrosive. That’s why gardeners often wear gloves when handling greater celandine.

Greater celandine is harvested in May and June. For this, the entire above-ground herb is simply pulled out. 

Entertaining facts about greater celandine

The orange-yellow milky plant sap that oozes out when leaves or stems are injured stains very strongly.

Greater celandine must not be used if you have existing or past liver diseases. This also includes gallbladder diseases. Pregnant and breastfeeding mothers must also avoid greater celandine, as well as children up to and including 12 years old. If you notice signs of liver disease (e.g., yellowing of the skin and eyes, dark urine, or pain in the upper abdomen), you must stop using it immediately and consult a doctor.

Celandine is considered a traditional remedy for warts. If it did not cause skin irritations and similar painful symptoms, it would probably be quite suitable for this purpose.
Otherwise, it is often used internally for mild cramping in the upper digestive tract, as well as for gallbladder complaints. Here too, the possible benefit is limited by the fact that celandine can irritate the digestive system. Therefore, never take celandine on your own, but only in consultation with your doctor.

Because of the possible effects of celandine on digestion mentioned above, it is added to the famous remedy Iberogast® Classic. A certain amount of celandine or its alkaloids is not exceeded to ensure the tolerability of the remedy. If you want to be safe and use a preparation without celandine, there are also versions of Iberogast without celandine.

If you want to take celandine orally, it is often boiled in a tea. Again, we can only advise against this because high amounts of celandine or the alkaloids it contains can cause serious damage. For this exact reason, there are no salads or similar dishes with this herb.
So you should not do anything with celandine unless your doctor recommends it. Using this herb carries health risks.

Yes, they exist. However, there are also studies on the toxicity of celandine. Moreover, hardly any studies on celandine have been representative or conducted with a sufficient number of test subjects. Therefore, it is still unclear today whether celandine is actually effective or rather toxic. Supporters of naturopathy, however, like to rely on celandine, as do fans of homeopathy.