Perennial celandine is used in folk medicine mainly because of the yellow milk juice. In Europe, Asia and North America the plant is located near settlements. With the introduction of synthetic drugs, celandine is increasingly forgotten, which is why it is often called a weed. Previously, the medicinal plant was prescribed to combat warts and skin diseases. Clinical efficacy was demonstrated in two controlled studies. Celandine from papillomas is applied in the form of an ointment or gel on problem areas of the skin.
The composition and useful properties of celandine for papilloma virus
Celandine contains about 20 isoquinoline alkaloids, present mainly in milk 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 papillomas:
- organic acids (chelidonic, malic, citric, ferulic acids);
- phenolic acid derivatives;
- 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 nutrient in celandine. The seeds contain 40-60% vegetable oils. The plant smells bad and has a bitter taste. The strong smell can cause sneezing, coughing and even vomiting in sensitive people.
The cephalopods were originally found in temperate and warm regions of Europe and Asia, as well as in 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, ie it grows on ruins, debris, yards, edges and hedges, walls, fences, fields and pastures.
Celandine gets its stems from a thick rhizome that is orange inside (like milk juice). The flowers consist of two sepals, four golden yellow, ovoid petals and numerous stamens. A capsule 3-4 cm long develops from the ovary. Black seeds have a greasy appendage that ants consume. They are also distributed in the region.
Celandine is used to treat spasms in the bile ducts and gastrointestinal tract. Whether celandine can cure warts, as traditional medicine says, has not been conclusively proven. The stems, leaves and flowers of celandine contain up to 1% alkaloids - chelidonine, koptizin and sanguinarine.
According to studies, the medicinal plant has mainly anticonvulsant and choleretic action. Therefore, its use in spasmodic disorders of the bile ducts and gastrointestinal tract is medically proven.
Celandine also has a mild analgesic, inhibit cell division and antiviral effect. The last two effects may explain the long-term use of celandine against warts (caused by viruses).
In medicine, celandine is used, collected during flowering (only aboveground parts of the plant). It is recommended to use only ready-made preparations prepared with a standardized content of alkaloids. The reason is that the plant parts themselves contain an unclear amount of alkaloids. Excess plant substances damage the liver.
Almost all parts of celandine contain alkaloids. The stem contains from 0. 1 to 1% alkaloids depending on the origin and drying conditions. More than 30 different benzylisoquinoline derivatives (such as benzophenatridine, protoberberine and protopine) have been identified in laboratory studies. Coptisin is the predominant alkaloid, accounting for up to 90%. Chelidonine is the main alkaloid in the roots. Other alkaloids in herbs and roots are berberine, chelerythrin, sparteine, chelidoxanthin and sanguinarine. In the fall, the chemicals are concentrated in the root, which then becomes highly toxic.
Various plant acids - chelidonic acid, citric acid, malic acid and caffeic acid - are found in small quantities. Celandine is not rich in flavonoids. The orange-yellow color of milk juice is due to carotenoids and some alkaloids such as berberine.
Celandine has an antispasmodic effect on the upper digestive tract and stimulates bile flow. The antispasmodic effect is now considered proven. Only a few years ago, it was possible to prove the choleretic effect. In addition, antimicrobial, antiviral and antitumor effects have been demonstrated for the extracts.
Methods of application in the treatment of pathology
Celandine refers to folk remedies, so it is recommended to weigh the benefits and risks before use. A statement has been issued advising against taking celandine preparations due to adverse effects on the liver.
Traditionally, fresh milk juice is used to treat warts, corneas and calluses. Protein (proteolytic) and antiviral mechanisms are discussed as the main therapeutic action. Alkaloid extracts are currently widely used as standard drugs.
The main use of celandine is the treatment of skin diseases such as warts or calluses. In spasms in the upper digestive tract, the herb has previously been used as a tea or tincture.
Internal use of celandine is no longer recommended. Because the whole plant contains a high percentage of toxic alkaloids, especially in the roots, it causes poisoning. On the contrary, in the dried herb reduces the toxic effect of the ingredients. It should be said that the content of toxic components varies depending on the place, plant and season. Everyone has a different constitution and therefore differs in sensitivity to toxins. If the plant is used externally, in some cases it can irritate the skin or cause allergies.
Pharmaceutical preparations based on celandine papillomas
Finished products containing celandine are available in the form of capsules, dragees, tablets and drops. It is recommended to use papilloma cephalopods in accordance with the instructions in the appropriate package or according to the doctor's recommendations. Traditionally, the milk juice of a medicinal plant or tincture of celandine is applied to warts to get rid of them. How exactly to use the drug for papillomas, the doctor will tell you.
Acute liver damage has been reported since the late 20th century in patients treated with celandine preparations. Laboratory tests confirm the high sensitivity of human hepatocytes to the alkaloids contained in celandine. As a result, preparations of celandine are currently being withdrawn from pharmacies. According to the European Medical Agency since 2010, the benefits of using medicines do not balance the risks to patients' health.
Folk recipes based on celandine for HPV
Not everyone knows how to properly use celandine. Due to its toxic properties, plant treatment can only be performed under the supervision of a physician. 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 milk juice several times a day, trying not to cause blisters on healthy skin. Care must be taken not to get this juice in the eyes, as it causes severe burning. Milk juice wraps are useful in the treatment of skin mycoses and difficult to heal wounds.
Decoctions, infusions and capsules
For menstrual problems, human papillomavirus and stomach cramps can help tea or capsules of celandine. In this case, it has antispasmodic properties. However, internal use is not recommended as the ingredients may be toxic. At too high a dose and prolonged use increases the risk of developing gastrointestinal disorders.
Diluted tea and diluted tincture can be used externally for skin diseases - eczema, warts or acne. It is recommended to pour a teaspoon of 200 ml of boiling water and leave to infuse for 10 minutes. Then wet a towel with tea and apply to the affected area in the form of a compress.
Oil solutions and milk
Celery milk is used to treat warts and calluses because of its anti-inflammatory alkaloids. It is recommended to cut a few stalks of celandine and apply the leaking yellow juice directly on the affected area 2-3 times a day for several weeks. The juice should only be applied to diseased tissue due to its irritating effect.
You can also make a tincture of the flowering herb or root and use it as a milk juice. Celery tincture is available in health food stores. As the tincture is not as strong as the juice, the duration of use increases.
Side effects and contraindications
Gastrointestinal complaints are rare. Some patients have developed deterioration in liver function and jaundice with prolonged use of celandine. This may be due to an overdose of alkaloids or improper use (such as severe inflammation of the liver or bile ducts). An overdose of celandine can also cause abdominal pain, intestinal colic and blood in the urine.
Isoquinoline alkaloids are responsible for toxic effects. Symptoms of poisoning include pain and burning in the mouth, salivation, diarrhea and coughing up blood. In severe cases, dizziness, impaired consciousness (including deep coma), drop in blood pressure and tachycardia have been reported. Fatal intoxication has been reported (in children). Celery juice can also cause skin irritation (burning, swelling, ulcers) and conjunctivitis (burning, watery eyes). Poisoning of animals usually does not happen, as they avoid the celandine because of the unpleasant smell and taste.
The dosage and duration of use indicated in the package leaflet or received by a doctor must be observed. Uninterrupted, celandine should be used for a maximum of four weeks.
Celandine should not be used in existing or past liver disease, gallstones, inflammation of the bile ducts, obstruction of the bile ducts or damage to the liver. In addition, pregnant women, nursing mothers and children under the age of 12 should refrain from the use of celandine.
If signs of liver damage occur during treatment (eg yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, upper abdominal pain, nausea, loss of appetite), treatment should be stopped immediately and a doctor should be consulted. .
Preparations with celandine can not be used for peptic ulcer, glaucoma and acute catarrh of the gastrointestinal tract. There is a risk of developing glaucoma with long-term use of celandine alkaloids.