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Greater Celandine / Schöllkraut

Chelidonium majus

Anti-tumourmoderate evidence

Greater Celandine is one of the most studied anti-cancer plants in European phytotherapy. Its isoquinoline alkaloids — chelidonine, coptisine, berberine, and sanguinarine — show potent cytostatic and apoptotic activity against multiple cancer cell lines. Chelidonine inhibits tubulin polymerisation (same mechanism as vinca alkaloids) and induces G2/M cell cycle arrest. The semi-synthetic derivative Ukrain® (NSC-631570), developed from celandine alkaloids conjugated with thiophosphoric acid, has been investigated in over 70 clinical studies for pancreatic, colorectal, cervical, and other cancers. German Commission E and European phytotherapy traditions recognise celandine for its hepatic and anti-proliferative properties. The fresh orange latex from cut stems has been used topically for skin warts and superficial skin tumours in European folk medicine for centuries.

Medicinal Properties

Anti-tumourApoptosis-inducingImmunomodulatoryAlkaloid-richCytostatic

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Cancer Types Studied

PancreaticColorectalCervicalBreastLungSkin

Recommended Dosage

Standardised extract: 2–4 mg total alkaloids daily (as chelidonine equivalent). Traditional: 1 cup weak leaf tea daily maximum. Fresh latex: topical only.

Preparations

Standardised Alkaloid Extract Capsules

Low-dose standardised Chelidonium majus extract (2–4 mg total alkaloids as chelidonine equivalent) daily. Do NOT self-dose above this — hepatotoxicity risk at high doses.

Topical Fresh Latex (Skin Warts/Lesions)

Apply 1 drop of fresh orange latex from cut celandine stem directly to skin wart or lesion once daily. The bright orange latex contains sanguinarine and chelidonine — potent topical cell-destroying agents.

NIH / PubMed Research

PMID 18508057Chelidonine from Chelidonium majus inhibits tubulin and induces apoptosis PMID 16338590Ukrain (NSC-631570) in pancreatic cancer — clinical review

Links open on PubMed (National Library of Medicine). Research is ongoing — results may not reflect clinical use.

Cautions & Interactions

HEPATOTOXIC at high doses — multiple case reports of celandine-induced liver injury; do not exceed recommended alkaloid doses
Never consume fresh plant — highly toxic; only standardised extracts or supervised preparations
Avoid in existing liver disease, pregnancy, and breastfeeding
Do not use for extended periods without liver function monitoring
Fresh latex is for external use only — do not ingest