In folk medicine, celandine is mainly used because of the yellow milky sap. In Europe, Asia and North America, the plant is located near settlements. With the advent of synthetic drugs, celandine has fallen into obscurity, which is why it is often referred to as a weed. In the past, the medicinal plant was prescribed to combat warts and skin diseases. The clinical effectiveness has been proven in two controlled studies. Celandine from papillomas is applied to problem areas of the skin in the form of an ointment or gel.
The composition and useful properties of celandine for papillomavirus
Celandine contains about 20 isoquinoline alkaloids, mainly found in milky juice. The concentration of alkaloids in the grass is from 0. 48 to 1. 04%, in the roots up to 1. 95%.
Other chemical compounds in celandine from papillomas:
- organic acids (chelidonic, malic, citric, ferulic);
- Derivatives of phenolic acids;
- saponins, large amounts of calcium salts and proteolytic enzymes;
- flavonoids;
- biogenic amines (including histamine, tyramine);
- traces of essential oil;
- carotenes;
- Vitamin C.
Glycogen is a storage substance in celandine. Seeds contain 40-60% vegetable oils. The plant smells bad and has a bitter taste. A strong odor can cause sneezing, coughing and even vomiting in sensitive people.
Originally, celandine was found in temperate and warm regions of Europe and Asia, as well as the Mediterranean including North Africa. It was brought to North America by settlers who used it as a remedy for skin diseases. Celandine is a typical weed plant, i. H. it grows on rubble, rubble, courtyards, edges and hedges, walls, fences, fields and pastures.
Celandine derives its stems from a thick rhizome that is orange inside (like milky sap). The flowers consist of two sepals, four golden yellow, ovate petals and numerous stamens. A 3-4 cm long capsule develops from the ovary. The black seeds have an oily appendage which the ants consume. They also distribute them around the area.
Celandine is used to treat spasms in the bile ducts and gastrointestinal tract. Whether celandine can work against warts, as conventional medicine says, has not been conclusively proven. Stems, leaves and flowers of celandine contain up to 1% alkaloids - chelidonine, coptisine and sanguinarine.
According to studies, the medicinal plant has a predominantly antispasmodic and choleretic effect. Therefore, the use in spasmodic diseases of the bile ducts and the gastrointestinal tract is medically proven.
Celandine also has a mild analgesic, anti-cell division and antiviral effect. The last two effects can explain the long-term use of celandine against warts (caused by viruses).
In medicine, celandine is used, which is collected during flowering (only aerial parts of the plant). It is recommended to use only finished preparations made with a standardized content of alkaloids. The reason is that the plant parts themselves contain an unclear amount of alkaloids. Excess plant matter damages the liver.
Almost all parts of celandine contain alkaloids. The strain contains 0. 1 to 1% alkaloids depending on origin and drying conditions. More than 30 different benzylisoquinoline derivatives (such as benzophenatridine, protoberberine and protopine) have been identified in laboratory studies. Coptisine is the predominant alkaloid with up to 90%. Chelidonine is the main alkaloid in the roots. Other alkaloids found in herbs and roots include berberine, chelerythrine, sparteine, helidoxanthine, and sanguinarine. In the fall, the chemicals accumulate in the root, which then becomes highly toxic.
Various plant acids - chelidonic acid, citric acid, malic acid and caffeic acid - are included in small amounts. Celandine is not rich in flavonoids. The orange-yellow color of milky juice is due to carotenoids and some alkaloids like berberine.
Celandine has an antispasmodic effect on the upper digestive tract and stimulates the flow of bile. The antispasmodic effect is now considered proven. The choleretic effect could only be proven a few years ago. In addition, antimicrobial, antiviral and antitumor effects have been demonstrated for the extracts.
Methods of application in the treatment of pathologies
Celandine refers to folk remedies, so before use it is recommended to weigh the benefits and risks. A statement was published advising against taking celandine supplements due to negative effects on the liver.
Traditionally, fresh milky juice is used to treat warts, calluses and calluses. Protein (proteolytic) and antiviral mechanisms are discussed as the main healing effects. Currently, alkaloid extracts are widely used as standard medicinal products.
The main use of celandine is to treat skin diseases such as warts or calluses. For spasms in the upper digestive tract, the herb was formerly used as a tea or tincture.
Internal use of celandine is no longer recommended. Since the whole plant contains a high proportion of toxic alkaloids, especially in the roots, poisoning occurs. On the contrary, the toxic effect of the ingredients is reduced in the dried herb. It must be said that the content of toxic components varies depending on the place, plant and season. Everyone has a different constitution and is therefore differently sensitive to toxins. When used externally, the plant can sometimes irritate the skin or cause allergies.
Pharmaceutical preparations based on celandine from papillomas
Ready-made products with celandine are available in the form of capsules, dragees, tablets and drops. It is recommended to use the papilloma celandine according to the instructions provided in its packaging or as recommended by the doctor. Traditionally, the milky juice of a medicinal plant or tincture of celandine is applied to warts to get rid of them. How exactly to use the drug from papillomas, the doctor will tell you.
Since the end of the 20th century there have been reports of acute liver damage in patients treated with celandine preparations. Laboratory tests confirmed the high sensitivity of human hepatocytes to the alkaloids contained in celandine. For this reason, preparations from celandine are currently withdrawn from pharmacies. According to the European Medical Agency 2010, the benefits of taking medicines are out of proportion to the risks to patient health.
Folk recipes based on celandine for HPV
Not everyone knows how to use celandine correctly. Due to its toxic properties, treatment with a plant may only be carried out under medical supervision. The maximum daily dose is 12-30 mg of alkaloids, ie 2-5 g of dry grass. When treating warts, it is recommended to treat warts with milky juice several times a day, so as not to cause blisters on healthy skin. It is important to ensure that this juice does not get into the eyes, as it causes a strong burning sensation. Wraps with milky juice are useful in the treatment of skin mycosis and wounds that are difficult to heal.
decoctions, infusions and capsules
Celandine tea or capsules can help with menstrual cramps, human papillomavirus and stomach cramps. In this case, an antispasmodic property is manifested. However, internal use is not recommended as the ingredients can be toxic. With excessive dosage and long-term use, the risk of gastrointestinal diseases increases.
Diluted tea and diluted tincture can be used externally for skin diseases - eczema, warts or acne. It is recommended to pour a teaspoon with 200 ml of boiling water and leave for 10 minutes. Then moisten a cloth with tea and apply it to the affected area in the form of a compress.
oil solutions and milk
Celandine milk is used to treat warts and corns because of its anti-inflammatory alkaloids. It is recommended to cut off several stalks of celandine and apply the yellow juice that emerges directly to the affected area 2-3 times a day for several weeks. The juice should only be applied to diseased tissue because of its irritating effect.
You can also make a tincture from the flowering herb or root and use it as a milky juice. Celandine tincture is available at health food stores. Because the tincture is not as strong as the juice, it takes longer to use.
Side effects and contraindications
Gastrointestinal problems rarely occur. Some patients have developed deterioration in liver function and jaundice with prolonged use of celandine. This may be due to an alkaloid overdose or abuse (e. g. severe inflammation of the liver or bile ducts). Celandine overdose can also cause abdominal pain, intestinal colic, and blood in the urine.
Isoquinoline alkaloids are responsible for the toxic effects. Symptoms of poisoning are pain and burning in the mouth, drooling, diarrhea and coughing up blood. In severe cases, dizziness, impaired consciousness (including deep coma), hypotension, and tachycardia occur. Cases of fatal poisoning (in children) have been reported. Celandine juice can also cause skin irritation (burning, swelling, ulcers) and conjunctivitis (burning, watery eyes). Poisoning in animals, as a rule, does not occur, since they avoid celandine because of the unpleasant smell and taste.
It is necessary to comply with the dosage and duration of use indicated in the package leaflet or obtained from a doctor. Celandine should be used without interruption for a maximum of four weeks.
Celandine should not be used if you have or have had liver disease, gallstones, inflammation of the bile ducts, obstruction of the bile ducts, or liver damage. In addition, pregnant women, breastfeeding women and children under the age of 12 should avoid celandine.
If signs of liver damage occur during treatment (e. g. yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, upper abdominal pain, nausea, loss of appetite), treatment should be stopped immediately and a doctor consulted.
Preparations with celandine can not be used for gastric ulcer, glaucoma and acute catarrh of the gastrointestinal tract. With prolonged use of celandine alkaloids, there is a risk of developing glaucoma.