Plant Comparison
Hemp vs Greater Celandine
A side-by-side comparison of two medicinal plants — every documented constituent, action, use, safety note and cited source, assembled automatically from the Omnia Sana database.
At a glance
Hemp and Greater Celandine: they share 6 indicated uses (arthritis / joint pain, back pain, headache, …); 2 pharmacological actions in common.
Evidence face-off — shared uses
| Condition | Hemp | Greater Celandine | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arthritis / joint pain | 5/10 | 1/10 | Stronger for Hemp |
| Back pain | 5/10 | 1/10 | Stronger for Hemp |
| Headache | 5/10 | 1/10 | Stronger for Hemp |
| Inflammation (general) | 5/10 | 1/10 | Stronger for Hemp |
| Pain (general) | 5/10 | 1/10 | Stronger for Hemp |
| Skin irritation | 5/10 | 1/10 | Stronger for Hemp |
Evidence scores (1–10) are computed from the tier of each cited source. “Comparable” means the two scores are within one point. Follow a score to its detailed sources.
Key Constituents
The characteristic bioactive compounds of the resin-bearing flowers, varying widely in ratio and concentration between cultivars; THC is psychoactive, CBD is not.
Aromatic terpenes contribute to the plant's characteristic scent and may modulate cannabinoid effects.
Hemp seed is rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids (including omega-3 and omega-6), giving the pressed seed oil its nutritional value; essentially free of psychoactive cannabinoids.
The biologically active and toxicologically important constituents.
Pharmacological Actions
Anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and analgesic (preclinical)
Antispasmodic / choleretic bitter for upper-abdominal and biliary dyspepsia (indigestion, bloating, cramping) - oral use now restricted for safety
Antispasmodic / choleretic bitter for upper-abdominal and biliary dyspepsia (indigestion, bloating, cramping) - oral use now restricted for safety
Traditional & Indicated Uses
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from sedative action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
Antispasmodic / choleretic bitter for upper-abdominal and biliary dyspepsia (indigestion, bloating, cramping) - oral use now restricted for safety
inferred from anticancer action
Antispasmodic / choleretic bitter for upper-abdominal and biliary dyspepsia (indigestion, bloating, cramping) - oral use now restricted for safety
inferred from antimicrobial action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from antispasmodic action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
Safety, Cautions & Contraindications
Industrial hemp (low-THC cannabis) seed oil and seeds are generally safe as food. CBD products derived from hemp may interact with medications metabolised by cytochrome P450 liver enzymes, including common anticoagulants, antiepileptics, and immunosuppressants. THC-containing preparations impair driving and are regulated or prohibited in many jurisdictions. Not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Quality and cannabinoid content vary widely between hemp products.
Duke (2002) rates cannabis as ++ and notes clinical evidence (score 2) for its antiemetic activity, especially relevant for chemotherapy-induced nausea. Score 1 activities include analgesic, anticonvulsant, and anti-inflammatory properties. Duke highlights the legal and pharmacological complexity, noting THC as the primary psychoactive compound. Medically, synthetic cannabinoids (dronabinol, nabilone) are clinically approved for nausea and anorexia. Duke cautions that while the plant has genuine therapeutic potential, psychoactive effects, legal restrictions, and risk of dependence with regular use must be considered (Duke, 2002).
SERIOUS: oral greater celandine can cause acute idiosyncratic liver injury (hepatocellular hepatotoxicity with jaundice). Multiple reported cases - dozens of herb-induced liver injury reports in the literature, with continuing recent case reports - led regulators to restrict or suspend oral products. Do not take internally if you have any liver disease, and stop immediately and seek care at any sign of liver problems (jaundice, dark urine, upper-abdominal pain).
External Ids
Botanical Description
Erect annual herb with a distinctive palmately compound leaf of narrow, serrated leaflets. The plant is usually dioecious (separate male and female plants); female plants develop dense, resinous flower clusters, while male plants bear looser pollen-releasing flowers. The seed (achene) is small, hard-shelled and oil-rich.[14]
Branching perennial herb with soft, brittle, hairy stems that exude a distinctive bright orange-yellow latex (sap) when cut or broken. The leaves are deeply lobed, pale bluish-green beneath, giving a delicate, almost fern-like appearance. Small, four-petalled, bright yellow flowers are borne in loose umbel-like clusters.[4]
Habitat
Believed native to Central Asia; now cultivated worldwide, with industrial hemp (low-THC cultivars) grown in temperate climates for fibre, seed and cannabinoid extraction, subject to varying legal regulation by jurisdiction.[14]
Grows in shaded, nutrient-rich ground - hedgerows, walls, waste ground and woodland edges, often near old buildings; native to Europe and Western Asia and naturalised in North America.[4]
Harvesting
Flowers (and resin-bearing leaves) are harvested at peak resin/cannabinoid content, typically as the flower clusters mature in late summer to autumn; seed is harvested once mature and dried, then pressed for oil or used whole.[14]
The flowering aerial parts are cut in spring to summer; the fresh orange latex is collected by breaking a stem or leaf as needed for topical (wart) use. Given the documented hepatotoxicity of oral preparations, harvesting for internal use is not recommended.[4]
Traditional Uses
Cannabis/hemp has a long multi-cultural history as a fibre, food and medicinal plant, traditionally used for pain, muscle spasm, sleep and appetite, alongside industrial use of the fibre and seed. Modern cannabinoid research, particularly on THC and CBD, has substantially expanded the evidence base for pain, spasticity and specific seizure disorders.[14, 15]
Greater celandine has a long European folk history, reflected in its name 'tetterwort', as a topical remedy for warts and skin blemishes (the fresh orange latex dabbed directly on), and internally as a bitter choleretic digestive remedy for biliary and upper-abdominal dyspepsia - though oral use is now medically restricted because of documented liver injury.[4]
Preparations
Whole or hulled seed, or cold-pressed seed oil, used as a nutritional food source (essentially free of psychoactive cannabinoids).
Extract standardised to specific cannabinoid content (e.g. CBD), used in regulated medicinal products; regulatory status varies widely by jurisdiction and product type.
Fresh orange latex from a broken stem dabbed directly onto warts, the classic external folk use; kept well away from eyes, mucous membranes and broken skin.
Historically taken as an infusion or tincture for biliary dyspepsia, but oral use is now restricted in several jurisdictions due to hepatotoxicity risk and should only be considered under professional supervision, if at all.
References
Drug Class Interactions
Not documented
Lookalikes Review
Dosage
Not documented
Because of a documented risk of acute liver injury, no internal dose is given here; oral use should be avoided, especially by anyone with liver disease, and any sign of jaundice, dark urine or upper-abdominal pain warrants immediate medical attention. Educational reference only, not a prescription.
References & Sources
- Rock, E.M. and Parker, L.A (2021) 'Constituents of Cannabis sativa', Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, 1264, pp. 1-13. doi:10.1007/978-3-030-57369-0_1 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-57369-0_1 - Castillo-Arellano, J., Canseco-Alba, A., Cutler, S.J. and León, F (2023) 'The Polypharmacological Effects of Cannabidiol', Molecules, 28(7), pp. 3271. doi:10.3390/molecules28073271 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28073271 - Pagano, C., Navarra, G., Coppola, L., Avilia, G. et al (2022) 'Cannabinoids: Therapeutic Use in Clinical Practice', International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 23(6), pp. 3344. doi:10.3390/ijms23063344 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23063344 - ElSohly, M.A., Radwan, M.M., Gul, W., Chandra, S. and Galal, A (2017) 'Phytochemistry of Cannabis sativa L', Progress in the Chemistry of Organic Natural Products, 103, pp. 1-36. doi:10.1007/978-3-319-45541-9_1 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-45541-9_1 - Viana, M.D.B., de Aquino, P.E.A., Estadella, D., Ribeiro, D.A. and Viana, G.S.D.B (2022) 'Cannabis sativa and cannabidiol: a therapeutic strategy for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases?', Medical Cannabis and Cannabinoids, 5(1), pp. 207-219. doi:10.1159/000527335 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1159/000527335 - Alves, P., Amaral, C., Teixeira, N. and Correia-da-Silva, G (2020) 'Cannabis sativa: much more beyond delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol', Pharmacological Research, 157, pp. 104822. doi:10.1016/j.phrs.2020.104822 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phrs.2020.104822 - Odieka, A.E., Obuzor, G.U., Oyedeji, O.O., Gondwe, M., Hosu, Y.S. and Oyedeji, A.O (2022) 'The medicinal natural products of Cannabis sativa Linn.: a review', Molecules, 27(5), pp. 1689. doi:10.3390/molecules27051689 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27051689 - Nuutinen, T (2018) 'Medicinal properties of terpenes found in Cannabis sativa and Humulus lupulus', European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 157, pp. 198-228. doi:10.1016/j.ejmech.2018.07.076 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejmech.2018.07.076 - Liktor-Busa, E., Keresztes, A., LaVigne, J., Streicher, J.M. and Largent-Milnes, T.M (2021) 'Analgesic potential of terpenes derived from Cannabis sativa', Pharmacological Reviews, 73(4), pp. 98-126. doi:10.1124/pharmrev.120.000046 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1124/pharmrev.120.000046 - Martinelli, G., Magnavacca, A., Fumagalli, M., Dell'Agli, M., Piazza, S. and Sangiovanni, E (2021) 'Cannabis sativa and skin health: dissecting the role of phytocannabinoids', Planta Medica, 88(7), pp. 492-506. doi:10.1055/a-1420-5780 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1055/a-1420-5780 - Andre, C.M., Hausman, J.F. and Guerriero, G (2016) 'Cannabis sativa: the plant of the thousand and one molecules', Frontiers in Plant Science, 7, pp. 19. doi:10.3389/fpls.2016.00019 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2016.00019 - Bonini, S.A., Premoli, M., Tambaro, S., Kumar, A., Maccarinelli, G., Memo, M. and Mastinu, A (2018) 'Cannabis sativa: a comprehensive ethnopharmacological review of a medicinal plant with a long history', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 227, pp. 300-315. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2018.09.004 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2018.09.004 - Bergamaschi, M.M., Queiroz, R.H.C., Zuardi, A.W. and Crippa, J.A.S (2011) 'Safety and side effects of cannabidiol, a Cannabis sativa constituent', Current Drug Safety, 6(4), pp. 237-249. doi:10.2174/157488611798280924 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.2174/157488611798280924 - Cerino, P., Buonerba, C., Cannazza, G. et al (2021) 'A review of hemp as food and nutritional supplement', 6(1), pp. 19--27. doi:10.1089/can.2020.0001 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1089/can.2020.0001 - Devinsky, O., Cross, J.H., Laux, L. et al (2017) 'Trial of cannabidiol for drug-resistant seizures in the Dravet syndrome', 376(21), pp. 2011--2020. Randomized trial
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Trial%20of%20cannabidiol%20for%20drug-resistant%20seizures%20in%20the%20Dravet%20syndrome - Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (n.d.). Available at: https://powo.science.kew.org Traditional / reference
https://powo.science.kew.org - Duke, J.A (2002) 'Handbook of Medicinal Herbs, Second Edition'. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Handbook%20of%20Medicinal%20Herbs%2C%20Second%20Edition - Talwar, A., Estes, E., Aparasu, R. and Reddy, D.S (2022) 'Clinical efficacy and safety of cannabidiol for pediatric refractory epilepsy indications: A systematic review and meta-analysis', Experimental Neurology, 359, pp. 114238. doi:10.1016/j.expneurol.2022.114238 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.expneurol.2022.114238 - Caus, M.N., Lupoae, M. and Chitescu, C.L (2026) 'Efficacy and Safety of Herbal Supplements with Anxiolytic, Antidepressant, and Sedative Action: A Review of Clinical Data and Toxicological Risks', Pharmaceuticals, 19(3), pp. 399. doi:10.3390/ph19030399 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.3390/ph19030399
- Li, X.L., Sun, Y.P., Wang, M., Wang, Z.B. and Kuang, H.X (2024) 'Alkaloids in Chelidonium majus L.: a review of its phytochemistry, pharmacology and toxicology', Frontiers in Pharmacology, 15, pp. 1440979. doi:10.3389/fphar.2024.1440979 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2024.1440979 - Koriem, K.M.M., Arbid, M.S. and Asaad, G.F (2012) 'Chelidonium majus leaves methanol extract and its chelidonine alkaloid ingredient reduce cadmium-induced nephrotoxicity in rats', Journal of Natural Medicines, 67(1), pp. 159-167. doi:10.1007/s11418-012-0667-6 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11418-012-0667-6 - Nawrot, R (2017) 'Defense-related Proteins from Chelidonium majus L. as Important Components of its Latex', Current Protein & Peptide Science, 18(8), pp. 864-880. doi:10.2174/1389203718666170406124013 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.2174/1389203718666170406124013 - Gilca, M., Gaman, L., Panait, E., Stoian, I. and Atanasiu, V (2010) 'Chelidonium majus - an integrative review: traditional knowledge versus modern findings', Forschende Komplementarmedizin. doi:10.1159/000321397 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.1159/000321397 - Popovic, A., Deljanin, M., Popovic, S., Todorovic, D., Djurdjevic, P., Matic, S., Stankovic, M., Avramovic, D. and Baskic, D (2021) 'Chelidonium majus crude extract induces activation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells and enhances their cytotoxic effect toward HeLa cells', International Journal of Environmental Health Research, 32(7), pp. 1554-1566. doi:10.1080/09603123.2021.1897534 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1080/09603123.2021.1897534 - Shen, L., Lee, S.A., Joo, J.C., Hong, E., Cui, Z.Y., Jo, E., Park, S.J. and Jang, H.J (2022) 'Chelidonium majus induces apoptosis of human ovarian cancer cells via ATF3-mediated regulation of Foxo3a by Tip60', Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology, 32(4), pp. 493-503. doi:10.4014/jmb.2109.09030 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.4014/jmb.2109.09030 - Deljanin, M., Nikolic, M., Baskic, D., Todorovic, D., Djurdjevic, P., Zaric, M., Stankovic, M., Todorovic, M., Avramovic, D. and Popovic, S (2016) 'Chelidonium majus crude extract inhibits migration and induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in tumor cell lines', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 190, pp. 362-371. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2016.06.056 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2016.06.056 - Warowicka, A., Qasem, B., Dera-Szymanowska, A., Wolun-Cholewa, M., Florczak, P., Horst, N., Napierala, M., Szymanowski, K., Popenda, L., Bartkowiak, G., Florek, E., Gozdzicka-Jozefiak, A. and Mlynarz, P (2021) 'Effect of protoberberine-rich fraction of Chelidonium majus L. on endometriosis regression', Pharmaceutics, 13(7), pp. 931. doi:10.3390/pharmaceutics13070931 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics13070931 - Kadan, G., Gozler, T. and Hesse, M (1992) '(+)-Norchelidonine from Chelidonium majus', Planta Medica, 58(5), pp. 477. doi:10.1055/s-2006-961523 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1055/s-2006-961523 - Musidlak, O., Warowicka, A., Broniarczyk, J., Adamczyk, D., Gozdzicka-Jozefiak, A. and Nawrot, R (2022) 'The activity of Chelidonium majus L. latex and its components on HPV reveal insights into the antiviral molecular mechanism', International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 23(16), pp. 9241. doi:10.3390/ijms23169241 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23169241 - Zhang, W., You, C., Wang, C., Fan, L., Wang, Y., Su, Y., Deng, Z. and Du, S (2014) 'One new alkaloid from Chelidonium majus L', Natural Product Research, 28(21), pp. 1873-1878. doi:10.1080/14786419.2014.953497 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1080/14786419.2014.953497 - Capistrano I, R., Wouters, A., Lardon, F., Gravekamp, C., Apers, S. and Pieters, L (2015) 'In vitro and in vivo investigations on the antitumour activity of Chelidonium majus', Phytomedicine, 22(14), pp. 1279-1287. doi:10.1016/j.phymed.2015.10.013 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phymed.2015.10.013 - Teschke, R., Frenzel, C., Glass, X., Schulze, J. and Eickhoff, A (2012) 'Greater Celandine hepatotoxicity: a clinical review', Annals of Hepatology. doi:10.1016/s1665-2681(19)31408-5 Clinical study
https://doi.org/10.1016/s1665-2681(19)31408-5 - Ciornolutchii, V., Ismaiel, A., Sabo, C.M., Al Hajjar, N., Seicean, A. and Dumitrascu, D.L (2024) 'A Hidden Cause of Hypertransaminasemia: Liver Toxicity Caused by Chelidonium Majus L. Report of Two Cases of Herb-Induced Liver Injury and Literature Review', American Journal of Therapeutics, 31(4), pp. e382--e387. doi:10.1097/MJT.0000000000001708 Clinical study
https://doi.org/10.1097/MJT.0000000000001708
Generated automatically from the Omnia Sana plant database and its cited sources. For educational purposes only — not medical advice. Always consult a qualified practitioner before using medicinal plants.