GREATER CELANDINE Glistnik jaskółcze ziele Χελιδονόχορτο Chelidonium majus

Celandine tea has been known for a long time as being potent against kidney and liver ailments. In the ancient times, Roman scholar Pliny cited the healing and detoxifying properties of celandine in his works. In the 14 th Century, celandine was taken as a blood tonic and was thought to enhance the eyesight. Herbalists have also long employed celandine to remove warts and soften calluses.

The active constituents of celandine are berberine, sanguinarine, chelidonine, protopine, coptisine, and stylopine. To make celandine tea, place a half teaspoon of chopped celandine herbs in a cup of boiling water. Let the mix steep for ten minutes. A dosage of two to three cups of celandine tea per day is recommended to be taken between meals.

Celandine has been shown to exhibit mild analgesic, cholagogic, antimicrobial, oncostatic, cytostatic and sedative properties. However, this herb ought to be used only under the supervision of qualified physicians as an overdose can result in serious health problems. Pregnant and nursing women should not use this herb.

• May help increase bile production and flush out gallstones.

• May help fight jaundice, scurvy and gout.

• May help in the treatment of whooping cough and bronchitis.

• May help may help fight stomach cramps and other gastrointestinal problems.

• May help relieve toothaches.

• When applied topically the tea may help clearing out warts and other skin problems.