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CELANDINE
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(Chelidonium majus)
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Other Names
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Chelidonium, Devil’s Milk, Garden Celandine, Great Celandine, Greater Celandine,
Kenning Wort, Tetterwort, Swallow Herb, Shallow Wort, Tetterwort.
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Description
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Celandine is a perennial plant native to Europe and also found throughout the
north eastern United States. Celandine grows 12 to 20 inches tall, in damp rich soil along fences,
roadsides, hedges, and wastelands.
The 1/2 inch thick cylindrical red-brown rootstock
produces a hollow, round stem that thickens at the joints and is covered with lobed
leafs. When the stem is broken it oozes an acidic yellow juice that turns
red when it is exposed to air. The four petals, bright yellow flowers grow in sparse umbels blooming
from April through September.
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Classification
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Taste
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Balance Yin/Yang
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Humor
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Uses/Applications
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Internally it has a special effect on the digestive system and for asthmatic
symptoms. Externally it is made into an ointment or poultice and used for skin
diseases like herpes, eczema, and ringworm.
The juice is used to remove warts.
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Combinations
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Constituents
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Toxic Alkaloids, Flavonoids, Saponin, Cartoninoids, Bitter
Compounds.
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Action
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Anodyne, Anti-Spasmodic, Caustic, Diaphoretic, Diuretic, Hydragogue, Narcotic,
Purgative.
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Food Values
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None
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Part Used
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Rootstock, Herb.
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Collection
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Collect in the fall.
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Preparation
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Infusion
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Pour a cup of boiling water onto 1 Tbsp. rootstock or
herb. Infuse for 30 minutes. Take once a
day.
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Juice
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Mix with vinegar and dab on the wart three times per
day. Do
not treat more than two warts at a time.
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Tincture
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Take 10 -15 drops once a day.
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Growing Directions
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Sow the seed or divide the roots. Celandine tolerates both poor
soil and semi shade.
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History
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Celandine dates back to Ancient Egypt where Alchemists’ considered it heaven’s
gift. Back in
the 16th Century, Swiss born Alchemists and Physicians used it regularly. The founder of Naturopathic
Medicine, Samuel Hahnemann, included it in his medicine cabinet. In 1939 Dr. Karl Daniel and
Pharmacist Dieter Schmaltz wrote a book about this herb.
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Additional Information
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1. Some research indicates this plant is toxic so it may be best used under
medical supervision.
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Cautions
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1. The juice can produce poisoning by congesting the lungs and liver and by
its narcotic action on the nervous system.
2. Poisoning has also resulted from handling the crushed
plant.
3. Use only under medical supervision
4. It is important that the correct dosage is taken as it is poisonous in
large amounts..
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Magick Information
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Gender:
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Masculine
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Planet:
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Sun
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Element:
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Fire
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Deity:
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None
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Powers:
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Protection
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Magickal Uses:
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Wear Cenandine
as a protective herb.
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