08/08/2025
GREATER CELANDINE (Chelidonium majus)
🌿 Plant Identification: Greater Celandine (Chelidonium majus)
Family:
Papaveraceae (Poppy family)
Common Names:
Greater Celandine, Swallowwort, Tetterwort
Origin:
Native to Europe and Western Asia; naturalized in parts of Africa and North America
Botanical Features:
Grows up to 1 meter tall
Yellow sap when cut
Deeply lobed leaves
Bright yellow flowers with 4 petals
🩺 Medicinal Uses of Greater Celandine
✅ Traditional Uses:
1. Liver & Gallbladder Health:
Used to stimulate bile flow (cholagogue)
Helpful in treating jaundice, liver congestion, and gallstones
2. Digestive Support:
Treats indigestion, gastritis, intestinal spasms, and IBS
3. Pain Relief & Muscle Relaxation:
Contains alkaloids (like chelidonine) that act as mild analgesics and antispasmodics
4. Wart and Skin Treatment:
Yellow latex applied topically for warts, eczema, ringworm, and skin tags
5. Antimicrobial Properties:
Effective against bacteria, fungi, and viruses due to isoquinoline alkaloids
⚗️ Preparation Methods (Medicinal)
1. Infusion/Tea (for internal use):
1 tsp dried leaves in 1 cup hot water
Steep 10 minutes, take 1-2x daily
Used for digestion, liver, gallbladder
2. Tincture:
1:5 alcohol extract, 10–20 drops, 2–3x daily
Use cautiously under supervision
3. Fresh Latex (Topical use only):
Break fresh stem and apply yellow sap to warts or skin conditions once daily
> ⚠️ Caution:
Toxic in high doses. Should be used under the guidance of a trained herbalist. Not suitable during pregnancy or for infants.
🕯️ Spiritual & Folkloric Uses
In traditional European and some African folk practices:
🔮 Spiritual Benefits:
1. Purification & Protection:
The yellow sap symbolizes sunlight and is believed to dispel negative energies and cleanse the aura
2. Breaking Hexes/Curses:
Used in ritual baths or incense to break spiritual attacks
3. Vision and Enlightenment:
🔹Associated with opening the eyes to truth, both literally and spiritually
4. Dream Work & Prophetic Dreams:
🔹Placed under the pillow to enhance dream clarity
🧴 🛐Spiritual Preparation:
✳️Spiritual Bath:
Boil handful of fresh leaves + rosemary + bay leaves
Strain and add to bathwater
Use for 7 days during spiritual cleansing
✳️Smoke/Incense:
Dried leaves burned with frankincense to clear homes from witchcraft or heavy spiritual atmosphere
⚠️ Safety & Warnings
Contains toxic alkaloids; overuse can lead to liver toxicity
Not for long-term use without supervision
Avoid during pregnancy, breastfeeding, and in young children.
Contact:
EMANAH NATUROPATHY CENTER
+233241272630
