Greater Celandine

Greater Celandine, Chelidonium majus L., a perennial weed of the poppy family (Papaveraceae), distributed in Europe and North America (see illustration). It blooms from May to September. The plant contains a yellow, poisonous milky juice of unpleasant odor and burning taste, causing local inflammation. In Greater Celandine, the alkaloids chelidonine, C₂₀H₁₉O₅N·H₂O (0.03%), homochelidonines (alpha-, beta-, and gamma-) and others, resins, essential oil (0.013%), etc. have been discovered.

Fresh herb and juice were formerly used for so-called spring treatment, as a strong laxative and diuretic. Extract was also used in leprosy, cancer, and other malignant tumors. Now it is completely abandoned. In folk medicine, it has extensive application for destroying warts, against scabies, and impetigo. Furthermore, the juice or decoction is taken for fever, to restore milk. It is often given to livestock against "worms," against "fever," etc. It often causes poisoning, in which burning in the mouth, blisters on the mucous membrane, bloody excretions and urine, as well as nosebleeds appear; treatment consists of washing out the stomach and administering emetics.