A HERBALIST'S VIEW
CELANDINE

The yellow flowers of lesser celandine, Ranunculus ficaria, are a welcome sight in early Spring. Many members of the genus are poisonous with no tradition of medicinal use, but this one has been used, both internally and in ointments, for the treatment of piles. Chemical analysis has revealed tannins, which would account for its astringent properties, and lactones, which are antibiotic but also rather irritant.

I know of no real evidence base to support the plant’s traditional use, which relies on the old ‘doctrine of signatures’ (Culpeper’s version of Intelligent Design!): its roots resemble swollen and tortuous veins.

A glance through my supplier’s catalogues suggests it has now fallen from favour, though it was still included in haemorrhoid creams when I did my clinical training 18 years ago.

Caroline Wheeler