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. Earlier, the medicinal plant was prescribed to fight warts and skin diseases. Clinical efficacy has been demonstrated in two controlled studies. Celandine from papillomas is applied in the form of ointment or gel to problem areas of the skin.
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 grass is from 0, 48 to 1, 04%, in the root - up to 1, 95%.
Other chemical compounds in celandine from papillomas:
- organic acids (kelidonic, malic, citric, ferulic acid);
- phenolic acid derivatives;
- saponins, large amounts of calcium salts and proteolytic enzymes;
- flavonoids;
- biogenic amines (including histamine, tyramine);
- trace amounts of essential oil;
- carotenes;
- vitamin C.
Glycogen is a substance for storage in celandine. The seeds contain 40-60% of 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 temperate and warm regions of Europe and Asia, as well as in the Mediterranean, including North Africa. It was brought to North America by immigrants who used it as a remedy for skin diseases. Celandine is a typical weed, ie. grows on ruins, ruins, courtyard squares, edges and hedges, walls, fences, fields and pastures.
Celandine got its stems from a thick rhizome, which is orange inside (like milk juice). The flowers consist of two calyxes, four golden yellow, egg-shaped petals and numerous anthers. A 3-4 cm long capsule developed from the ovary. Black seed has a fatty additive that ants eat. They also distribute them in the environment.
Celandine is used to treat cramps in the bile ducts and gastrointestinal tract. Whether celandine can cure warts, according to traditional medicine, has not been finally proven. The stems, leaves and flowers of celandine contain up to 1% of alkaloids - helidonine, coptisin and sanguinarine.
According to research, the medicinal plant has a predominantly anticonvulsant and choleretic effect. Therefore, its use in convulsive disorders in the bile ducts and gastrointestinal tract has been medically proven.
Celandine also has mild analgesic, antiviral and inhibitory cellular effects. The last two effects may explain the long-term use of celandine against warts (caused by viruses).
In medicine, celandine is used, which is collected during flowering (only aboveground parts of the plant). It is recommended to use only ready-made preparations prepared with a standardized alkaloid content. The reason is that the parts of the plant themselves contain an unclear amount of alkaloids. Excess plant matter damages the liver.
Almost all parts of celandine contain alkaloids. The stem contains from 0. 1 to 1% of alkaloids, depending on the origin and drying conditions. More than 30 different benzylisoquinoline derivatives (such as benzophenatridine, protoberberin, and protopine) have been identified in laboratory studies. Coptisin is the dominant alkaloid, accounting for up to 90%. Chelidonine is the main alkaloid in the root. Other alkaloids in plants and roots are berberine, cheleritrin, sparteine, helidoxanthin and sanguinarine. In autumn, the chemicals are concentrated in the root, which then becomes very poisonous.
Various plant acids - helidonic 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. Today, it is considered that the antispasmodic effect has been proven. Choleretic action could be proven only a few years ago. In addition, antimicrobial, antiviral and antitumor effects have been demonstrated for the extracts.
Methods of application in the treatment of pathology
Celandine is a folk remedy, so it is recommended to weigh the benefits and risks before use. A statement was issued advising not to take celandine preparations due to the harmful effects on the liver.
Traditionally, fresh milk juice is used to treat warts, corneas and blisters. Protein (proteolytic) and antiviral mechanisms are discussed as the main action of treatment. Currently, alkaloid extracts are widely used as standard drugs.
The main use of celandine is to treat skin diseases such as warts or blisters. For cramps in the upper digestive tract, the plant was previously used as a tea or tincture.
Internal use of celandine is no longer recommended. Because the whole plant contains a high proportion of toxic alkaloids, especially in the root, it causes poisoning. On the contrary, the toxicity of the ingredients is reduced in the dried plant. It must be said that the content of toxic components varies depending on the place, plant and season. Each person 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.
Papilloma celandine-based pharmaceutical preparations
Finished products containing celandine are available in the form of capsules, dragees, tablets and drops. It is recommended to use celandine papilloma in accordance with the instructions on the appropriate packaging or according to the doctor's recommendation. Traditionally, the milky juice of a medicinal plant or a tincture of celandine is applied to the nipples to get rid of them. Your doctor will tell you exactly how to use papilloma medicine.
Since the end of the 20th century, there have been reports of acute liver damage in patients treated with celandine preparations. Laboratory tests have confirmed the high sensitivity of human hepatocytes to alkaloids contained in celandine. As a result, celandine preparations are currently being withdrawn from pharmacies. According to the European Medical Agency in 2010, the benefits of using drugs do not balance the risks to patients' health.
Folk recipes based on celandine for HPV
Not everyone knows how to use celandine properly. Due to its toxic properties, herbal treatment can be carried out only under the supervision of a physician. The maximum daily dose is 12-30 mg of alkaloids, or 2-5 g of dry grass. When treating warts, it is recommended to treat the warts with milk juice several times a day, trying to avoid blisters on healthy skin. Care should be taken not to get this juice in the eyes, as it causes severe burning. Milk juice compresses are useful in treating skin mycoses and wounds that are difficult to heal.
Decoctions, infusions and capsules
Tea or celandine capsules can help with menstrual problems, human papilloma virus and stomach cramps. In this case, an antispasmodic property is manifested. However, internal use is not recommended as the ingredients may be toxic. Overdose and long-term use increase 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 with 200 ml of boiling water and leave it to stand for 10 minutes. Then moisten a cloth with tea and apply to the affected area in the form of a compress.
Oil solutions and milk
Celandine milk is used to treat warts and corns because of its anti-inflammatory alkaloids. It is recommended to cut a few stalks of celandine and apply yellow juice that leaks directly on the affected area 2-3 times a day for several weeks. The juice should be applied only to diseased tissue due to its irritating effect.
You can also make a tincture of flowering or root and use it as a milk juice. Celandine tincture is available in health food stores. Since the tincture is not as strong as the juice, the duration of use is extended.
Side effects and contraindications
Gastrointestinal problems are rare. In some patients, there was a deterioration in liver function and jaundice with prolonged use of celandine. This may be due to an overdose of alkaloids or misuse (for example, 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 tingling in the mouth, salivation, diarrhea and coughing up blood. In severe cases, dizziness, loss of consciousness (including deep coma), drop in blood pressure and tachycardia occur. Fatal poisoning cases have been reported (in children). Celandine juice can also cause skin irritation (tingling, swelling, ulceration) and conjunctivitis (tingling, watery eyes). Animal poisoning usually does not occur because they avoid celandine due to its unpleasant smell and taste.
It is necessary to adhere to the dosage and duration of use specified in the instructions or obtained from a doctor. Without interruption, celandine should be used for a maximum of four weeks.
Celandine should not be used in existing or past liver disease, gallstones, biliary tract inflammation, biliary obstruction or liver damage. In addition, pregnant women, nursing mothers and children under the age of 12 should refrain from using celandine.
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.
Celandine preparations cannot be used for peptic ulcer, glaucoma and acute catarrh of the gastrointestinal tract. With prolonged use of the alkaloid celandine, there is a risk of developing glaucoma.