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CM
Not CommonAI-summarized
Chelidonium Majus
Chelidonium majus
Liver and gallbladder disorders in European medicine
How does Chelidonium majus work for liver and gallbladder conditions?
Chelidonium majus works primarily through its isoquinoline alkaloids, specifically chelidonine and berberine. These compounds exert antispasmodic effects on smooth muscle, relaxing the bile ducts while simultaneously stimulating bile production and flow (choleretic action). This dual mechanism helps relieve cramping and supports digestion. While German Commission E approves its use for gallbladder complaints, clinical evidence remains limited to animal studies and traditional use (Evidence Level C).
Can Chelidonium majus interact with medications?
Yes, Chelidonium majus carries significant interaction risks. Due to its potential hepatotoxicity, it should not be combined with other liver-affecting medications or alcohol. The presence of berberine suggests potential interactions with anticoagulants, antihypertensives, and drugs metabolized by cytochrome P450 enzymes. Additionally, because it stimulates bile flow, it may alter the absorption of certain pharmaceuticals. Patients taking prescription medications should consult a healthcare provider before use (Evidence Level C/D).
What is the recommended dosage for Chelidonium majus?
The standard adult dosage for Chelidonium majus is 2-4 mg of total alkaloids or 2-3 mL of a 1:5 tincture taken three times daily. Due to the narrow therapeutic window and risk of hepatotoxicity, users must strictly adhere to recommended doses and avoid long-term use without professional supervision. Exceeding these doses significantly increases the risk of liver damage (Evidence Level C/Traditional).
Is Chelidonium majus safe to use during pregnancy?
No, Chelidonium majus is considered unsafe during pregnancy and breastfeeding. The herb contains alkaloids that may stimulate uterine contractions and pose a risk of fetal harm. Additionally, the potential for hepatotoxicity presents an unacceptable risk during pregnancy. Women who are pregnant, nursing, or attempting to conceive should avoid this herb entirely. Strict contraindications apply (Evidence Level C/D).
How do you use Chelidonium majus for wart removal?
Chelidonium majus is traditionally used for wart removal by applying the fresh orange latex directly to the wart tissue. The latex contains proteolytic enzymes and alkaloids that act as a caustic agent to destroy wart cells. Application must be precise to avoid contact with healthy surrounding skin, as the latex can cause contact dermatitis and irritation. This external use is supported by German Commission E and folk tradition (Evidence Level C/Traditional).
PubMed-compiled information sheet
This sheet was compiled from PubMed (NIH) abstracts using AI assistance. Every factual claim is cited to a real PubMed article (see the source list). It has not yet been human-reviewed — confirm with a healthcare provider before use.
Compiled from 28 PubMed articles · model: gemma4:31b
Summary
Chelidonium majus, also known as greater celandine, is a medicinal plant of the Papaveraceae family used for gastrointestinal disorders and various other therapeutic purposes [PMID:31643995, PMID:28379595].
Background
Greater celandine (Chelidonium majus L.) is a latex-bearing plant belonging to the Poppy (Papaveraceae) family [PMID:31643995, PMID:38366995]. It is utilized in both western phytotherapy and traditional Chinese medicine [PMID:20980763].
Traditional uses
Traditionally indicated for digestive disorders, dyspepsia, and the topical removal of warts [PMID:31643995, PMID:33778996]. In Chinese medicine, it is used to alleviate coughs, asthma, spasms, and pain [PMID:39239653].
Active compounds
The plant is rich in isoquinoline alkaloids, with over 94 isolated, including chelidonine, coptisine, sanguinarine, chelerythrine, and berberine [PMID:7757387, PMID:8870028, PMID:39239653]. Other compounds include esters of caffeic acid, flavonoids, phenolic acids, and a cysteine-rich antimicrobial peptide called CM-AMP1 [PMID:7757387, PMID:8870028, PMID:38366995].
Mechanism of action
Chelidonine may inhibit FBP1 to disrupt M2 macrophage polarization in breast cancer [PMID:41175579]. Chelerythrine chloride has been shown to target glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), inhibiting the glycolytic pathway to reduce the secretion of nitric oxide, TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β [PMID:40572537].
Clinical evidence
Evidence CGastrointestinal disorders/Dyspepsia
Typically used for treatment, though some reports question the therapeutic benefit relative to risks [PMID:31643995, PMID:12795472]
Evidence DViral Warts
The milky sap is used in folk medicine and homeopathy; a case report in a 4-year-old boy suggested it as a potential therapeutic modality [PMID:32120948]
Evidence DCOVID-19
A twenty-case series of outpatients treated with 10% mother tincture described their clinical evolution [PMID:33778996]
Evidence DBreast Cancer
In vitro and in vivo studies indicate that chelidonine and essential oil nanoparticles exhibit antiproliferative and pro-apoptotic effects on MCF-7 cell lines [PMID:34856216, PMID:41175579]
Evidence DEndometriosis
A protoberberine-rich fraction was investigated for its influence on endometriosis regression in a rat model [PMID:34201532]
Safety & adverse effects
Chelidonium majus is linked to clinically apparent liver injury, including acute hepatitis and cholestatic liver injury [PMID:31643995, PMID:11352118, PMID:12795472]. Reports indicate a hepatocellular pattern of injury often characterized as an idiosyncratic reaction, with symptoms such as jaundice and high serum aminotransferases [PMID:23109446, PMID:10535888, PMID:38682076]. Recovery typically occurs after withdrawal of the herb [PMID:12795472, PMID:10535888].
Evidence summary
Evidence for therapeutic efficacy is primarily based on traditional use, case series, and animal/in vitro models (Level D). However, there is a significant body of case reports and reviews (Level C/D) documenting a risk of idiosyncratic hepatotoxicity.
2.PMID: 28379595 (2017) — Hepatotoxicity induced by greater celandine (Chelidonium majus L.): a review of the literature. · European review for medical and pharmacological sciences
3.PMID: 33778996 (2021) — Greater celandine (Chelidonium majus L.) for COVID-19: A twenty-case series. · Phytotherapy research : PTR
4.PMID: 38366995 (2024) — The Greater Celandine: Identification and Characterization of an Antimicrobial Peptide from Chelidonium majus. · Journal of natural products
No direct government monograph is available for this herb. The content below is AI-generated and has not been verified against an authoritative government source. Use the search links to check official sources before relying on this information.
PMID: 12795472 (2003) — Acute hepatitis induced by Greater Celandine (Chelidonium majus). · Scandinavian journal of gastroenterology
7.PMID: 19397968 (2009) — Hepatitis from Greater celandine (Chelidonium majus L.): review of literature and report of a new case. · Journal of ethnopharmacology
8.PMID: 32120948 (2020) — Milky Sap of Greater Celandine (Chelidonium majus L.) and Anti-Viral Properties. · International journal of environmental research and public health
9.PMID: 7757387 (1995) — [The greater celandine (Chelidonium majus L.)--review of present knowledge]. · Ceska a Slovenska farmacie : casopis Ceske farmaceuticke spolecnosti a Slovenske farmaceuticke spolecnosti
10.PMID: 23109446 (2012) — Greater Celandine hepatotoxicity: a clinical review. · Annals of hepatology
11.PMID: 20980763 (2010) — Chelidonium majus--an integrative review: traditional knowledge versus modern findings. · Forschende Komplementarmedizin (2006)
12.PMID: 39239653 (2024) — Alkaloids in Chelidonium majus L: a review of its phytochemistry, pharmacology and toxicology. · Frontiers in pharmacology
13.PMID: 34856216 (2022) — Synthesis and characterization of chitosan nanoparticles loaded with greater celandine (Chelidonium majus L.) essential oil as an anticancer agent on MCF-7 cell line. · International journal of biological macromolecules
14.PMID: 41175579 (2025) — Chelidonine-induced inhibition of FBP1 disrupts M2 macrophage polarization and attenuates breast cancer. · Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology
17.PMID: 38682076 (2024) — A Yellow Flower With Jaundice Power: Liver Injury Attributed to Greater Celandine. · ACG case reports journal
18.PMID: 8870028 (1996) — Pharmacological activities of Chelidonium majus L. (Papaveraceae). · Pharmacological research
19.PMID: 39274589 (2024) — Enhancing Wound Healing: A Comprehensive Review of Sericin and Chelidonium majus L. as Potential Dressings. · Materials (Basel, Switzerland)
20.PMID: 34201532 (2021) — Effect of Protoberberine-Rich Fraction of Chelidonium majus L. on Endometriosis Regression. · Pharmaceutics