Celandine, Greater
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Botanical Name |
Chelidonium majus |
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Family |
Papaveraceae |
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Other Names |
Felon wort, jewel weed, snap wort, swallow wort, touch me not |
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Habitat |
Wasteland, hedges, footpaths, walls |
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Description |
Perennial up to 1m tall. Upright, branching stems, bristly hair, and bright orange milky sap. Leaves: alternate green above, blue/green beneath pinnate with oval toothed lobes 15-30cm long, 5-8cm wide. Leaflets: opposite, rounded teeth Flowers yellow 2-3cm, 4 petals May-October Fruit 2-5cm capsule |
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Native to |
Europe |
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Parts used |
Roots, aerial parts |
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Harvesting |
Root: late summer, autumn Foliage: when in flower May-June |
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Preserving |
Root: dry in sun or shade Foliage: dry quickly in shade |
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Actions |
Alterative, anti-spasmodic, cholagogue, diuretic, narcotic, purgative, stomachic |
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Constituents |
Alkaloids –allocryptopine, berberine, chelamine, chelerythrine, chelidonine, coptisine, magnoflorine, protopine, sanguinarine, sparteine, stylopine. Poly-phenolic acids –chelidonic acid, caffeic acid derivatives. Saponins |
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Other Notes |
The botanical name comes from the Greek “khelidon” meaning swallow The references to swallows is because it is believed it flowers at the same time as the swallows arrive from North Africa |
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Caution |
Should only be used under the direction of a professional herbalist |