| CELANDINE (The Greater) CHELIDONIUM
MAJUS One of the best cures for the eyes. When the Sun is in Leo and the Moon in Aries make it into an oil or ointment to anoint the eyes with. The most desperate sore eyes have been cured by this only medicine; is by far better than endangering the eyes by the art of the needle? A perennial with many tender, round, whitish-green stalks and greater joints than usual as if they were knees. The stalks are brittle and easy to break. The leaves are large, tender and broad, dark blueish-green on top and pale blueish-green underneath, and full of yellow sap. Where to find it: By old walls, hedges and waysides and in untilled places. Once planted in a garden, especially in a shady place, it will remain there. Flowering time: All summer long. Astrology: A herb of the Sun and under the celestial lion. Medicinal virtues: The herb or root boiled in white wine with a few Aniseeds and drunk will open obstructions of the liver and gall. It helpeth the yellow jaundice, the dropsy and the itch and old sores in the legs and other parts. The juice taken fasting is held to be of singular good use against the pestilence. The distilled water with a little sugar and treacle hath the same effect. Dropped into the eyes the juice cleanseth them from films and cloudiness that darken the sight, but it is best to allay the sharpness of the juice with a little breast-milk. It causes old, filthy, corroding, creeping ulcers to heal more speedily and the juice applied to tetters, ringworms or other spreading cankers will quickly heal them too. Rubbed often on warts, it will take them away. The herb with the root bruised and bathed in Oil of Chamomile applied to the navel taketh away griping pains in the belly and bowels and all the pains of the mother. Applied to women's breasts, it stayeth the overmuch flowing of the courses. Modern uses: This plant should not be used for self-medication and is contraindicated in pregnancy. The herb is used by professional herbalists as a cholagogue and hepatic tonic. It purifies the blood, increases urine production, but in overdosage it will purge. The fresh juice is still considered to he an effective application for corns and warts. It is used as an eye lotion to remove film on the eyes. Chewing the root relieves toothache. In treating the liver a few drops of the juice are taken in sweetened water. The infusion produces sweating. It is available in tincture or fluid extract form from herbalists. |