Lesser Celandine

Lesser Celandine,Ranunculus ficaria

A sure sign that Winter is at an end is when the Celandine start to peek through the forest floor.
There are many recipes and remedies that are said to be effective, although use with caution as it can be an irritant.
Petals have been used to clean teeth and the leaves cooked with meat or served in salads.
"There's a flower that shall be mine,'Tis the little Celandine." - William Wordsworth, "To the Small Celandine". 
One of the first wildflowers to bloom, its pretty, golden stars often blanket the ground. It has rosettes of glossy dark green heart-shaped mottled long-stalked leaves. Read more...
Visit the link below for many different uses of this pretty spring flower.

Traditional and Modern use of Celandine


Lesser celandine has been used for thousands of years in the treatment of haemorrhoids and ulcers. It is not recommended for internal use because it contains several toxic components. 
The whole plant, including the roots, is astringent. It is harvested when flowering in March and April and dried for later use. 
It is widely used as a remedy for piles and is considered almost a specific. 
An infusion can be taken internally or it can be made into an ointment and used externally. 
It is also applied externally to perineal damage after childbirth. 
Some caution is advised because it can cause irritation to sensitive skins.

Click here for old recipes and remedies.