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Greater Celandine ( I'll be back)


Greater Celandine ( I'll be back)
Photo Information
Copyright: Gert Paassen (Gert-Paassen) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1172 W: 2 N: 4398] (13360)
Genre: Plants
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2009-04-29
Categories: Flowers
Exposure: f/10.0, 1/160 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2009-06-01 8:14
Viewed: 443
Points: 40
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note [Dutch]
Today Iám back on TN.
I was very busy with all kinds of things especially with footballphotography.
I have been misses TN and so my return.
My daughter are also very ill and need a heart operation.
So I started with flowers, i finished also with flowers.
This are are an medidal flower.
There are a lot of TN members that beg, or want me to return to TN so here I'am.
Thanks a lot for all the contributions on my last posting.

Latin name - Chelidonium majus

Chelidonium majus, commonly known as the greater celandine or tetterwort (in America, the latter refers to Sanguinaria canadensis), is the only species in the genus Chelidonium, family Papaveraceae. The lesser celandine is not closely related, but its family, the Ranunculaceae, is allied to the Papaveraceae (Order Ranunculales). The greater celandine is native to Europe and the Mediterranean basin. It is also widespread in North America, having been brought there by settlers as a herbal remedy for skin problems such as warts as early as 1672.

Greater celandine has an erect habit, and may reach 30 to 120 cm high. The leaves are deeply divided, 30-cm long, and crenate. The sap is bright opaque yellow. The flowers comprise four yellow petals, each about 1 cm long, with two sepals. The flowers appear from May to July. The seeds are small and black, and possess an elaiosome, which attracts ants to disperse the seeds (myrmecochory). A double-flowered variety, a naturally occurring mutation, also exists. It is considered an aggressive invasive plant in natural areas (both woods and fields). Control is mainly via pulling or spraying the plant before seed dispersal.

The whole plant is toxic in moderate doses as it contains a range of isoquinoline alkaloids but there are numerous therapeutic uses when used at the correct dosage. The main alkaloid present in the herb and root is coptisine. Other alkaloids present include berberine, chelidonine, sanguinarine and chelerythrine. Sanguinarine is particularly toxic with a lethal dose of only 18 mg per kg body weight. Despite this acute toxicity, sanguinarine is present in such small quantities that the LD50 dose would require >50g of raw herb to be ingested. Caffeic acid derivatives are also present.

The effect of the fresh herb is of a mild analgesic, cholagogic, antimicrobial, oncostatic and central nervous system sedative. In animal test, Celandine is shown to be cytostatic. An immune stimulating effect has also been noted. Some studies show that the alkaloid extraction can have the same effects. The alkaloids are known to cause immobilization in mice after been taken orally or injected. The alkaloids cause limpness and tone reduction of smooth muscle in rabbits. The alkaloids are also noted to stimulate the heart and lungs of frogs, cats and dogs, raising the blood pressure and widening the arteries.

The latex could be employed as a caustic for healing small open wounds. Early studies of Celandine showed that it causes contact dermatitis and eye irritation, particularly from contact with the red to yellow latex. This effect has not been observed in animal studies; no inflammation was observed in rabbit eye tests. The latex can leave a non-permanent stain. Stains on skin of the fingers are sometimes reported to cause eye irritation after rubbing the eyes or handling contact lenses. When any part of the plant causes eye irritation, wash it out with clear water and when needed seek medical help. The latex is also known to stain clothes.

The aerial parts and roots of Greater Celandine are used in herbalism. The above-ground parts are gathered during the flowering season and dried at high temperatures. The root is harvested in autumn between August and October and dried. The fresh rhizome is also used. Celandine has a hot and bitter taste. The latex has a narcotic fragrance.

Preparations are made from alcoholic and hot aqueous extractions (tea). The average daily dosage is 2 to 4 g, equivalent to 12 to 13 mg total alkaloids. For fluid extracts, the daily dosage is 1 to 2 ml of 1:1 25% alcoholic extraction, up to 3 times per day. For hot tea infusions, 1.5 dessert spoonsful left in boiling water for 10 minutes can be taken 3 times a day.

It was formerly used by gypsies as a foot refresher; modern herbalists use its purgative properties. In Russia and in other countries it is used as an herbal aid in removing warts, papillomas and other skin malformations. It is also used in the mole and wart remover Wart Mole Vanish. See also Bloodroot, which has similar chemical composition and therapeutic use as Greater Celandine, particularly in warts and moles treatment.

Greater celandine acts as a mild sedative which has been used historically to treat asthma, bronchitis, and whooping cough. The herb's antispasmodic effect improves bile flow in the gallbladder and has been reputed to treat gallstones and gallbladder pain. As far back as Pliny the Elder and Dioscorides (1st century CE) this herb has been recognized as a useful detoxifying agent. The root has been chewed to relieve toothache.
livius, eqshannon, chrisruth, maurydv, Noisette, nglen, Alex99, pvs, flashpoint, MMM, goldyrs, jaycee, boreocypriensis, Miss_Piggy, uleko, Pitoncle has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • PeterZ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2345 W: 92 N: 5348] (17102)
  • [2009-06-01 8:26]

Hallo Gert,
Goed je terug te zien. Schitterende foto in fantastische kleuren contrasterend tegen de vage achtergrond. Uitstekende scherpte en compositie.
Maar slecht nieuws over je dochter. Alle sterkte voor je dochter, jou en je familie.
Groet,
Peter

Hello Gert
elegant composition with beautiful yellow Chelidonium majus, fine details and wonderful colors, great sharpness. Excellent focusing.
Livio

Yes...life can be had at times, but you are a tenacious person and can handle the stress well...never give up...sometimes a break is due especially during family...Well seen Gert..Please pass teh best to your family and keep on posting your fine images.
Bob

Hello Gert,
Very nice warm colors and sharpness.. Well done

Everton

Hi Gert

Well done on this lovely composition! I really like the colours of yellow and brown together. Very warm and pretty.
You have very good focus and sharpness even to the fine hairs on the stem of the flowers. Very well done and a good example for me as a learner photographer. All the best for your daughter.

Regards
Chris

Hello Gert,
nice to see back your pictures, a splendid composition, very good sharpness and fantastic yellow colour tones. All the best to you daugther and your family.
TFS
Best regards
Maurizio

Hello Gert
Nice to see you again on TN
you re-started with a nice shot of this beautiful flower, i like her vivid yellow color and the contrast against the brown BG
Have a good evening
Jacqueline

  • Great 
  • nglen Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2860 W: 34 N: 8481] (31692)
  • [2009-06-01 11:42]

Hi Gert. Its so good to see you posting my friend. I am sorry to here about your daughter i hope all is well. we went through the same some 26 years ago with our daughter when she was four now she is coming up 31.
you have writen intersing notes about this beautiful Chelidonium majus flower. We can see the hairs with your fine detail anf natural colours against the OOF BG. well done TFS.
Nick..

  • Great 
  • Alex99 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3551 W: 143 N: 5621] (18399)
  • [2009-06-01 11:48]

Hi Gert.
You have presented these small amazing flowers by the best way. I like wonderful details of the flowers (DOF is selected precisely), superb smooth and colourful BG and nice inclined composition of the shot. My kind regards and compliments.
Alexei.

  • Great 
  • pvs Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1168 W: 261 N: 3035] (13835)
  • [2009-06-01 12:32]

Ha Gert,

Leuk dat je weer terugkomt,je begint gelijk weer met een fleurige foto,mooi op de plaat gezet tegen de egale bruine achtergrond,minder is het bericht betreft je dochter,maar ik wens haar,jouw en de rest van de familie sterkte toe,

Groetjes,
Paul

hello Gert!
fine macro od yellow Chelidonium majus
happy, that you are back among us

greetings sERGIO

  • Great 
  • lousat Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1930 W: 6 N: 5388] (19222)
  • [2009-06-01 16:26]

Hi Gert,welcome back and my best whishes for your daughter.And my best compliments for this close-up on this common but always fascinating flower of our fields.Have a nice day and stay whit us! Luciano

  • Great 
  • MMM Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 927 W: 0 N: 1965] (8837)
  • [2009-06-01 17:07]

Hi Gert
Welcome back my friend and I hope that your daughter will be feeling better very soon.This is a strong comaback with a beautiful composition.Excellent POV and very shrp image with great detail.Beautiful colors with very nice OOF BG.
TFS and thank for coming back
Michel

It is soooooooooo nice to hear from you again, my dear friend Gert!
I hope all is well with you and your loved ones!
This is a superb shot!The yellow stands out against the earthy BG!
Very well done!
Goldy

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2493 W: 11 N: 6885] (21912)
  • [2009-06-01 20:21]

Hi Gert,

I'm so happy to see you again but at the same time I am so sad to hear about your daughter. I wish her the best - please keep us posted. It's nice to see your beautiful flowers again. These are lovely with pretty colors and fine details. I love the background and vertical composition.

Jane

  • Great 
  • foozi Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1297 W: 0 N: 2467] (8757)
  • [2009-06-01 21:41]

Hi Gert,
Im very glad that youre back. I always hope and pray that everything will be fine.
Thanks for this lovely picture of the yellow flowers. Very sharp and well balanced in light.

regards,
Foozi

Hi Big Bro Gert,
Nice to see you came back anong us. A wonderful capture of this beautiful flower with excellent details, great POV/DOF and wonderful composition.
TFS and cheers,
Bayram

Hallo Gert
I am glad to see you back, and you have come back with a great image of a beautiful and striking flower. The details is well captured, especially the hairy unopened buds and the fine hairs on the stem. A very "friendly" and inviting image. Best regards and thanks for sharing this 4 petal flower with us.
Anna

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2959 W: 162 N: 817] (2429)
  • [2009-06-04 5:53]

Hello Gert!
Nice to see you back here again! I'm very sorry to hear about your daughter and hope she'll get the best of treatment!
This is a lovely close-up of these pretty yellow flowers against the dark background. Beautiful colours and very fine sharp details.
TFS and all the best wishes, Ulla

Bonjour Gert,
Retour éblouissant sur TN avec cette splendide magro à l'angle de prise de vue judicieux permettant l'appréciation de la finesse des détails.
A bientôt sur TN pour de nouvelles aventures.
Gérard

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