Greater Celandine, Swallow Wort, Greater Celandine
Chelidonium majus

Family: Papaveraceae

What it is like

Bloom Color: Yellow. Main Bloom Time: Late spring, Mid spring. Form: Upright or erect.

Chelidonium majus is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.5 m (1ft 8in) by 0.4 m (1ft 4in) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from May to August, and the seeds ripen from July to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees, flies, beetles. The plant is self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

Height (m): 0.5

Where it is found

Rubble, damp ground, banks, hedgerows and by walls, nearly always close to human habitations.

Most of Europe, including Britain, east to N. Asia.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 1

Leaves - cooked in small quantities. They contain small amounts of toxic alkaloids. The leaves are boiled with clean earth, the mixture is left overnight and then thoroughly washed in several changes of water. Very much a famine food, to be used when all else fails!!.

Oil: Oil

Medicine

Rating: 3

Greater celandine has a long history of herbal use. Traditionally it was employed as an ophthalmic to treat and clear the eyesight whilst in modern herbal medicine it is used more as a mild sedative, antispasmodic and detoxifying herb, relaxing the muscles of the bronchial tubes, intestines and other organs. The latex is much used externally to treat warts. Caution should be employed, especially when the plant is used internally however, because it contains toxic alkaloids. The leaves and the sap are acrid, alterative, anodyne, antispasmodic, caustic, cholagogue, diaphoretic, diuretic, hydrogogue, narcotic, purgative. They are used in the treatment of bronchitis, whooping cough, asthma, jaundice, gallstones and gallbladder pains. The plant is harvested in the spring as it comes into flower, it is best used fresh, but can also be dried for later use. The roots can also be used, these are harvested in the autumn and dried for later use. The plant has anticancer properties and is analgesic. It is an important component of a stomach ulcer drug. The plant has an abundant acrid bright-orange sap that stains the skin strongly and is powerfully irritant. It is used as an external treatment to get rid of warts, ringworm and corns and has also been used to remove films from the cornea of the eye. The plant contains the alkaloid chelidonine, which is similar to the alkaloid papaverine found in poppies. This alkaloid has antispasmodic and sedative effects on the bile ducts and bronchi. However, results have been inconsistent, especially if the preparation is not fresh. The plant also contains the alkaloid sparteine, which restores normal rhythm to feeble arrhythmic myocardia. The German Commission E Monographs, a therapeutic guide to herbal medicine, approve Chelidonium majus for liver and gallbladder complaints.

Acrid: Causes heat and irritation when applied to the skin.

Alterative: Causes a gradual beneficial change in the body, usually through improved nutrition and elimination, without having any marked specific action.

Anodyne: Relieves pain, it is milder than an analgesic.

Antispasmodic: Relaxes muscular spasms and cramps, calming nervous irritation.

Cancer: Used in the treatment of cancer.

Cholagogue: Increases the flow of bile and its discharge from the body.

Diaphoretic: Induces perspiration.

Diuretic: Acts on the kidneys, promoting the flow of urine.

Hydrogogue: A purgative that causes an abundant watery discharge.

Narcotic: Relieves pain, induces drowsiness and gives a sense of well-being.

Ophthalmic: Treats eye complaints.

Purgative: A drastic laxative causing a cleansing or watery evacuation of the bowels, usually with a griping pain.

Stomachic: Aids and improves the action of the stomach.

Warts: Used in the treatment of warts, corns etc.

Other

Rating:

Plants rapidly form a ground cover, but should only be used in wild places because of their invasive nature. Seed contains 50 - 66% of a fatty oil. No more details given.

Oil: Vegetable oils have many uses, as lubricants, lighting, soap and paint making, waterproofing etc. This does not include the edible oils unless they are also mentioned as having other uses.

Ground cover: Ground Cover

How it is grown

Landscape Uses:Woodland garden. Succeeds in any soil other than boggy conditions. Prefers a rich soil of a woodland nature. Shade tolerant. Plants grow well on walls if they are given a semi-shaded position and a pocket of soil into which to root. A short-lived perennial, but it self-sows freely and can easily become a weed. It quickly colonizes waste ground and thin woodland areas. Once established, the plant is very difficult to eradicate. Special Features: North American native, Naturalizing, Attractive flowers or blooms.

Propagating it: Seed - sow in situ February to May or August to November. Germination usually takes place within 1 - 12 months. The plant self-sows freely and should not need much encouragement. Division in March. The plant bleeds profusely so this method is not recommended.

Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; not Deep Shade; Ground Cover; Hedgerow; North Wall. In.

Habit: Perennial

Hardiness: 5-8

Growth: Fast

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: Full shade, semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

The whole plant is poisonous. It is of very low toxicity and this is greatly reduced by drying the plant. The stem juice is highly irritating and allergenic, it may cause paralysis. Large doses cause sleepiness, skin irritation, respiratory tract irritation, violent coughing and dyspnoea. It also stains the urine bright yellow and may cause ulcers. May cause burning sensation in the mouth, nausea and vomiting. Avoid contact with eyes. Concerns of liver toxicity so avoid in those with liver disease. Not recommended during pregnancy and for children under 12 .

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Chelidonium haematodes. Chelidonium laciniatum. Chelidonium luteum. Chelidonium umbelliferum.