Greater Celandine ( Chelidonium majus )

It is one of the twenty-four herbs mentioned in Mercer's Herbal.



Botical Chelidonium majus
English Greater Celandine
Swallow Wort, Celandine,tetterwort,nipplewort

Characteristics of Chelidonium majus

Chelidonium majus is commonly known as greater celandine, wartweed and swallowwart, native to rocky slopes, woodlands, waste areas and along roads in Europe and western Asia, greater celandine is a short-lived perennial or biennial in the poppy family that bears yellow flowers and gray-green leaves.

Medicinal Uses of Chelidonium majus

Although all parts of this plant are toxic to humans, the plant has a long history of herbal/medicinal usage. It was once believed to be an effective remedy for wart removal, resulting in the acquisition of common names such as wartweed and swallowwart.

Alterative, diuretic, purgative. It is used in jaundice, eczema, scrofulous diseases, etc., the infusion of 1 OZ. of the dried herb to a pint of boiling water being taken in wineglassful doses. The infusion is a cordial and greatly promotes perspiration. The addition of a few aniseeds in making a decoction of the herb in wine has been held to increase its efficacy in removing obstructions of the liver and gall.

A fluid extract is also prepared, the dose being 1/2 to 1 drachm. Eight to 10 drops of the tincture made from the whole herb, or of the fresh juice, given as a dose three times a day in sweetened water, is considered excellent for overcoming torpid conditions of the liver. In the treatment of the worst forms of scurvy it has been given with benefit.

The orange-coloured, acrid juice is commonly used fresh to cure warts, ringworm and corns, but should not be allowed to come into contact with any other part of the skin.

In milk, it is employed as an eye-lotion, to remove the white, opaque spots on the cornea. Mixed with sulphur, it was formerly used to cure the itch.

An ointment made of the roots and lard boiled together, also of the leaves and flowers, has been used with advantage for piles.

Celandine is a very popular medicine in Russia, where it is said to have proved effective in cases of cancer.

It is still used in Suffolk as a fomentation for toothache.

Growing Chelidonium majus

Select a sunny, partially shady or shady area.
Amend the soil with perlite and a 2- to 3-inch layer of shredded pine bark mulch or leaf mold if it is heavy clay that does not drain quickly. This plant requires excellent drainage. Break up the soil with a shovel or rototiller until it has a fine texture with no clumps. Mix the amendments thoroughly into the soil.
Spread the Chelidonium majus seeds over the prepared soil in early spring immediately after the last expected hard frost. Cover the seeds with garden soil to a depth equal to three times the width of the seeds.
Keep the soil evenly moist until the seeds germinate and the seedlings grow to a few inches tall. Thin the seedlings to 1 foot apart. Continue to water the plants once or twice a week in the absence of rain. Do not allow the soil to dry completely between waterings.
Deadhead the flowers as they fade to prevent self-seedling. Leave the flowers on the plant if self-seeding is desired. Pick the 2-inch long seed pods off the plant as they ripen and dry to collect the seeds for later planting. Split the dry pods open and empty the seeds into a paper bag. Place the paper bag in the freezer for two days. Store the seeds in a cool, dark area or in the refrigerator until ready to plant.

Buy Chelidonium majus

Buy Greater Celandine from these vendors:

sheffields	$8.95 44s
richters	$25.00/10g, $170.00/100g
sandmountainherbs	$2.25 50s

Best buy Greater Celandine in US : from sheffields

Best buy Greater Celandine in Asia: ThaoMoc Garden