Perennial celandine is used in folk medicine mainly due to its yellow milky juice. In Europe, Asia and North America, the plant is located near settlements. With the introduction of synthetic drugs, celandine is increasingly forgotten, hence it is often called weed. Previously, the medicinal plant was prescribed to fight warts and skin diseases. Clinical efficacy has been proven in two controlled studies. Celandine from papillomas is applied in the form of an oil or gel to problem areas of the skin.
Composition and beneficial properties of celandine for papillomavirus
Celandine contains about 20 isoquinoline alkaloids, present mainly in milk fluid. The concentration of alkaloids in the grass is from 0, 48 to 1, 04%, in the root - up to 1, 95%.
Other chemical compounds in celandine from 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);
- small amounts of essential oil;
- carotene;
- vitamin C.
Glycogen is a preservative in celandine. The 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.
Initially, celandine was found in the 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, d. m. th. grows in ruins, rubbish, yard squares, edges and on fences, walls, fences, fields and pastures.
Celandine is derived from a thick rhizome, which is orange inside (like milk juice). The flowers consist of two sepals, four yellow gold petals, ovate and numerous stamens. A 3-4 cm long capsule develops from the ovary. Black seeds have an oily supplement that is consumed by ants. They also distribute them in the area.
Celandine is used to treat spasms in the bile ducts and gastrointestinal tract. Whether celandine can treat warts, as traditional medicine says, has not been conclusively proven. The stems, leaves and flowers of celandine contain up to 1% alkaloids - chelidon, coptisine and sanguinarine.
According to studies, the medicinal plant has a predominantly anticonvulsant and choleretic effect. Therefore, its use in spasmodic disorders in the bile ducts and gastrointestinal tract is medically proven.
Celandine also has mild analgesic, cell division inhibitory and antiviral effects. The latter two effects may explain the long-term use of celandines against warts (caused by viruses).
In medicine, celandine is used, collected during flowering (only the 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 parts of the plant themselves contain a vague amount of alkaloids. Excess plant material damages the liver.
Almost all parts of celandine contain alkaloids. The stalk contains from 0, 1 to 1% alkaloids, depending on their origin and drying conditions. More than 30 different benzylisoquinoline derivatives (such as benzophenatridine, protoberberine, and protopine) have been identified in laboratory studies. Copticin is the predominant alkaloid, accounting for up to 90%. Chelidonine is the major alkaloid in the root. Other alkaloids in plants and roots are berberine, chelerythrine, sparteine, helidoxanthin 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 amounts. Celandine is not rich in flavonoids. The orange-yellow color of milk juice is due to carotenoids and some alkaloids like berberine.
Celandine has an antispasmodic effect on the upper digestive tract and stimulates bile flow. The antispasmodic effect is now considered proven. It was possible to prove the choleretic effect only a few years ago. In addition, antimicrobial, antiviral and antitumor effects have been demonstrated for 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 was 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 healing action. Currently, alkaloid extracts are widely used as standard medicines.
The main use of celandine is in the treatment of skin diseases such as warts or calluses. For cramps in the upper digestive tract, the herb has previously been used as a tea or tincture.
Internal use of celandine is no longer recommended. Since the whole plant contains a high percentage of toxic alkaloids, especially in the roots, it causes poisoning. Rather, the toxic effect of the ingredients is reduced in the dried grass. It should be noted that the content of toxic ingredients varies depending on the place, plant and season. Every person has a different structure and therefore varies in sensitivity to toxins. If the plant is used externally, in some cases it can irritate the skin or cause allergies.
Celandine-based pharmaceutical preparations from papillomas
Ready-made products containing celandine are available in the form of capsules, tablets, tablets and drops. The use of celandine papilloma is recommended in accordance with the instructions on the proper packaging or as recommended by the doctor. Traditionally, the milky juice of a medicinal plant or celandine tincture is applied to the warts to get rid of them. The doctor will tell you exactly how to use the medicine for papillomas.
Since the late 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. As a result, preparations from celandine are currently withdrawn from pharmacies. According to the European Medical Agency 2010, the benefits of drug use do not balance the risks to patients' health.
Popular celandine-based recipes for HPV
Not everyone knows how to use celandine properly. Due to its toxic properties, treatment with a plant can only be carried out 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 the warts with milk juice several times a day, trying not to cause blisters on healthy skin. Care should be taken that this liquid does not get into the eyes, because it causes a strong burning sensation. Milk juice wraps are useful in treating skin fungi and wounds that are difficult to heal.
Decoctions, infusions and capsules
With menstrual problems, human papillomavirus and stomach cramps, tea or celandine capsules can help. In this case, an antispasmodic property is manifested. However, internal use is not recommended as the ingredients may be toxic. In very high doses and long-term 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 200 ml of boiling water over a teaspoon and let it cook for 10 minutes. Then moisten a tea cloth and apply to the affected area in the form of a compress.
Oil and milk solutions
For the treatment of warts and corn, celandine milk is used because of its anti-inflammatory alkaloids. It is recommended to cut a few stalks of celandine and apply the yellow liquid flowing directly to the affected area 2-3 times a day for several weeks. The liquid should be applied only to diseased tissues because of its irritating effect.
You can also make a tincture from grass or flowering root and use it as a milk juice. Celandine tincture is found in health food stores. Since the tincture is not as strong as the liquid, the duration of use increases.
Side effects and contraindications
Gastrointestinal complaints rarely occur. Some patients have developed deterioration of liver function and jaundice with prolonged use of celandine. This may be due to an alkaloid overdose or misuse (for example, severe inflammation of the liver or bile ducts). An overdose of celandine can also cause colic, intestinal cramps and blood in the urine.
Isoquinoline alkaloids are responsible for toxic effects. Symptoms of poisoning include pain and burning in the mouth, saliva, diarrhea and coughing up blood. In severe cases, dizziness, impaired consciousness (including deep coma), drop in blood pressure, and tachycardia occur. Cases of fatal intoxication (in children) have been reported. Celandine juice can also cause skin irritation (burning, swelling, ulcer) and conjunctivitis (burning, watery eyes). Poisoning of animals usually does not occur because they avoid celandine due to the unpleasant smell and taste.
It is necessary to follow the dose and duration of use indicated on the package leaflet or taken by your doctor. Without interruption, celandine should be used for a maximum of four weeks.
Celandine should not be used in existing or previous liver disease, gallstones, biliary tract inflammation, bile duct obstruction, or liver damage. In addition, pregnant women, lactating women and children under the age of 12 should refrain from using celandines.
If signs of liver damage appear 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. With prolonged use of celandine alkaloids, there is a risk of developing glaucoma.