Celandine

(Chelidonium majus )

A particularly strong herb, celandine was helpful in treating cases of liver dysfunction, but was used with caution. It was also useful in the treatment of gallstones, inflammations of the gallbladder, jaundice, hepatitis and bilious headaches. Fresh celandine juice was said to rid the bearer of warts and corns when applied topically, but care was taken as it could cause skin irritation.

This plant was also used to improve eyesight, in particular the removal of the whitish opaque spots on the eye called 'kennings'. However, since celandine is so acrid, this treatment would be quite painful; but eyesight is key to the origin of this herb's name. Chelidon is the Greek word for swallow, and the plant was named Chelidonium as swallows used the plant to reinforce the eyesight of their young.














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