Celandine Powder
Also known as: Greater celandine, tetterwort, celandine, Chelidonium majus L.
Overview
Greater celandine (Chelidonium majus L.) is a perennial herb native to Europe and Western Asia, historically used in traditional herbal medicine for various ailments, including digestive issues, liver and gallbladder disorders, and skin conditions. Its medicinal properties are attributed to isoquinoline alkaloids like chelidonine, sanguinarine, and berberine. While traditionally employed for dyspepsia and biliary disorders, and explored in some cancer therapies, robust clinical evidence for its efficacy is largely lacking. The research on greater celandine is mixed, with some early studies and traditional use reports, but it lacks high-quality randomized controlled trials or meta-analyses to confirm its benefits. A significant concern associated with its use is hepatotoxicity, which has been well-documented.
Benefits
Greater celandine's benefits are largely unproven or associated with significant safety concerns. It is *possibly effective* for dyspepsia (indigestion) when used as part of a multi-herbal preparation like Iberogast. Studies on this combination product have shown symptom relief for acid reflux, stomach pain, cramping, nausea, and vomiting over four weeks. However, these findings are not specific to isolated greater celandine, and its contribution to the overall effect is unclear. There is *insufficient evidence* to support its use for cancer, despite early, small studies suggesting improved survival in various cancers with intravenous extracts (e.g., Ukrain). These studies suffer from methodological flaws and raise safety concerns. Similarly, limited early research suggests some benefit in biliary dyskinesia when combined with turmeric extract, but this evidence is weak. Other traditional uses for conditions like arthritis, warts, scabies, and inflammation lack sufficient clinical evidence.
How it works
The pharmacological actions of greater celandine are primarily attributed to its isoquinoline alkaloids, particularly chelidonine and sanguinarine. These compounds have demonstrated various in vitro activities, including antispasmodic, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and potential cytotoxic effects against cancer cells. The exact molecular mechanisms are not fully understood, but alkaloids may interfere with cell division and induce apoptosis (programmed cell death) in tumor cells. However, the absorption and bioavailability of these alkaloids in the human body are not well-characterized. Furthermore, the active compounds are sensitive to heat and light, which complicates the standardization and consistent delivery of therapeutic doses in preparations.
Side effects
Greater celandine carries a significant risk of hepatotoxicity, which is its most critical adverse effect. Numerous well-documented cases of acute liver injury, including severe jaundice and hospitalization, have been reported, typically occurring within 2 to 5 weeks of use. This liver injury is often hepatocellular and resolves upon cessation of the herb, but re-exposure can lead to recurrence. Common, less severe side effects include gastrointestinal discomfort, nausea, and allergic reactions. Due to its hepatotoxic potential, greater celandine is contraindicated in individuals with pre-existing liver disease, and its use is strongly discouraged during pregnancy and lactation. There is also a potential for interactions with other hepatotoxic drugs or medications metabolized by liver enzymes, although these interactions are not extensively studied. Children and individuals with compromised liver function should strictly avoid its use.
Dosage
There is no standardized or universally recommended dosage for greater celandine due to the variability in preparations and a lack of robust clinical trials. Most traditional uses and some clinical studies have involved extracts as components of multi-herbal formulas rather than isolated celandine. Given the significant and well-documented risk of hepatotoxicity, cautious use under strict medical supervision is advised if it is considered at all. Due to the severe safety concerns, particularly liver injury, and the absence of clear efficacy data, self-dosing or unsupervised use of greater celandine is strongly discouraged. Upper limits and safety thresholds have not been established for isolated greater celandine.
FAQs
Is greater celandine safe?
No, greater celandine carries a significant risk of liver injury, including severe cases requiring hospitalization. Its safety profile is concerning, and unsupervised use is not recommended.
Does it work for cancer?
Evidence for greater celandine's effectiveness against cancer is insufficient, controversial, and based on small, methodologically flawed studies. It is not recommended as a cancer treatment.
Can it be used for indigestion?
Possibly, but only as part of specific multi-herbal products (like Iberogast) that have demonstrated safety and efficacy. Isolated greater celandine is not recommended for indigestion due to safety concerns.
How soon do side effects appear?
Liver toxicity, the most serious side effect, typically manifests within 2 to 5 weeks of starting greater celandine use.
Research Sources
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK548684/ – This systematic review from LiverTox NCBI compiles multiple case reports of liver injury linked to greater celandine use. It confirms hepatocellular liver injury as a significant risk, with onset typically within 2-5 weeks, and recovery observed after discontinuing the herb. The review highlights the strong safety signal for hepatotoxicity, although it does not provide efficacy data.
- https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-676/greater-celandine – This narrative review summarizes clinical studies and traditional uses of greater celandine. It notes that the herb is possibly effective for dyspepsia when used in combination products, but finds insufficient evidence for its use in cancer and other conditions. The review points out the limitations of existing research, including small sample sizes and methodological flaws.
- https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pharmacology/articles/10.3389/fphar.2018.00299/full – This Frontiers in Pharmacology review provides a detailed analysis of the phytochemistry and pharmacology of greater celandine. It identifies the key active alkaloids and discusses their potential bioactivity, while also highlighting the challenges in standardizing extracts due to the compounds' sensitivity. The review focuses on the chemical and mechanistic aspects, with limited clinical trial data.
- https://www.rxlist.com/supplements/greater_celandine.htm – This summary from RxList, similar to WebMD, reviews the efficacy and safety of greater celandine. It concludes that there is possibly some benefit for dyspepsia when used in multi-ingredient products, but insufficient evidence for other conditions like cancer. It also emphasizes the significant safety concerns, particularly liver toxicity, based on available clinical and case report data.
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8281430/ – This systematic review and meta-analysis on herb-induced liver injury includes greater celandine as a confirmed hepatotoxic herb. It contributes to a larger dataset of cases, reinforcing the caution advised for its use. The study focuses on the safety profile and the incidence of liver damage associated with various herbal supplements, providing high-quality evidence regarding celandine's toxicity.