Lesser Celandine or pilewort, as it more commonly known, grows freely in woodlands and other moist, shaded places and brightens the way whenever you pass it by. It’s Latin name, Ranunculus ficaria, refers to the resemblance of its tubers to figs and an old common name for it was figwort (not to be confused with the plant more commonly known as Figwort, Scrophularia nodosa). Piles, or haemorrhoids, for which the plants got its modern common name, also used to be known as figs, so this usage for our pretty spring friend is nothing new.
In Mrs Grieve’s classic, A Modern Herbal, she tells us, “Wordsworth, whose favourite flower this was (in recognition of which the blossoms are carved on his tomb), fancifully suggests that the painter who first tried to picture the rising sun, must have taken the idea of the spreading pointed rays from the Celandine’s ‘glittering countenance.’ ”
It is true that this little flower arrives early in the spring, appearing almost like a symbol of hope for the warmer days to come.
Used mainly to treat non-bleeding haemorrhoids and a sore or itchy anal area, it is oft quoted that the main indication for this plant came about from the doctrine of signatures as its bulbous tubers are not dissimilar to the appearance of piles. Many years of use however, as well as a modern understanding of its constituents, back up this traditional insight. Pilewort contains tannins and saponins and is both astringent and demulcent, so toning and soothing to inflamed or irritated membranes.
In the past an infusion of pilewort was commonly taken internally as well the the ointment applied topically but these days it is mostly the ointment that is favoured.
Bartram recommends making an ointment by macerating one part whole fresh plant whilst in bloom to three parts of benzoinated lard. I stuck to making an infused vegetable oil via the heat method.
After harvesting the whole plant – roots, leaves and flowers – I washed them thoroughly to get rid of the tenacious clay soil that stuck between each nodule and then spread them out to dry off in the dehydrator for a couple of hours. If you don’t have a dehydrator then just blot them dry as best you can and leave to wilt slightly overnight. This reduces the water content of your herb and helps prevent rancidity. I then infused the herbs in sunflower oil in a bain marie for several hours on a low heat. You can read my detailed instructions on how to make an infused oil here.
Many people combine the infused oil with horse chestnut oil or tincture to make a nice astringent ointment but, as I have none at present, I came up with this alternative.
Fig Ointment:
40ml pilewort infused oil
20ml plantain infused oil (just use extra pilewort if you have no plantain oil).
20 ml calendula infused oil
10g beeswax
5ml self heal tincture
5ml witch hazel
10 drops lavender essential oil
10 drops geranium essential oil
Melt the beeswax in a bain marie and add the infused oils, stirring until fully mixed. Add in the tinctures and witch hazel and whisk or blend with a hand blender until fully incorporated. Stir in essential oils and leave to set.
Apply liberally several times a day to affected area.
Wonderful information! Thank you!
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This was a use I never knew for celandine! I’ve always wondered why so many plants were referred to as “figwort” – and now I know 🙂 (It must have been quite a problem in olden days for so many plants to be named for it!) I love what Wordsworth said of the flower – so true!
It is of course my favorite plant for worts, but I also like it as a rather stimulating spring tonic/alterative for people with very sluggish livers and sort of a stagnant/stuck energy. Have you ever used it that way?
I so wish I could come there and see all your flowers and spring greens! We finally lost our snow today, but the grass is still brown and smooshed down. No green yet, but soon I hope!
XOXO D
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Do you mean the Greater Celandine (Chelidonium majus)? That is the one I know is used for congested livers. They both have beautiful sunny yellow flowers but are different species. The Greater Celandine is said to be the true Celandine because the name means swallows and they bloom when the swallows come (or something like that- don’t quote me!). I don’t know of Lesser Celandine being used for liver stuff but would be interested to hear more if you think it is this one.
Glad the snow is melting, soon will come the green!!
xxxxx
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Ah ha! I see my error now – my head must have really been in the clouds when I read this (or maybe I was delirious from the warm day!) 🙂 Yes I did mean the greater celandine.
So yes, I feel a little silly now 🙂 Lesser Celandine is not a plant I know at all – but I see now that I look at it the pictures again that it really looks quite different from Greater Celandine (I am hitting my hand on my forhead now 🙂 )
Now I am off the herb books to learn about this new sunny flowered friend 🙂 Thanks for setting me straight!
D
PS: I like the thought about it being true because it blooms when the swallows come 🙂
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