Greater Celandine is not related to the Lesser Celandine (Ranunculus ficaria) and the only thing they have in common is the colour of their flowers. Greater Celandine grows to a height of 30 to 80 cm, is much branched and flowers from May until well into Autumn. Its much divided leaves resemble oak leaves and the roots and stems have an orange-yellow juice. It grows in hedgerows, by walls and fences, on waste ground and favours south-facing edges of woods. The summer may be dry and the ground parched and the orange-yellow juice still flows freely when the stem is broken. Even in winter this plant can be found under the snow, if its position is known.

DIRECTIONS:

Infusion: 1/4 litre of boiling water is poured over 1 level teaspoon of herbs.

Fresh Juice: Leaves, stems and flowers are washed and, still wet, put into the juice extractor for external application.

Tincture: As an homoeopathic preparation bought at chemists. Wine: 30 gm. Celandine together with roots macerated in 1 litre of white wine for 1 to 2 hours, then filter or strain and sipped.