Omnia SanaPlant Comparison
Greater Celandine vs California Poppy
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
Greater Celandine and California Poppy: both belong to the Papaveraceae family; they share 3 indicated uses (back pain, headache, pain (general)); 1 pharmacological action in common.
Evidence face-off — shared uses
| Condition | Greater Celandine | California Poppy | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Back pain | 1/10 | 2/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Headache | 1/10 | 2/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Pain (general) | 1/10 | 2/10 | Comparable evidence |
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 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
Anxiolytic for anxiety and nervous tension - also supported by a double-blind RCT of a fixed California poppy + hawthorn (Crataegus) + magnesium combination in mild-to-moderate anxiety
Traditional & Indicated Uses
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
Anxiolytic for anxiety and nervous tension - also supported by a double-blind RCT of a fixed California poppy + hawthorn (Crataegus) + magnesium combination in mild-to-moderate anxiety
Mild sedative / sleep support for insomnia (positive allosteric modulation of GABA-A receptors)
Anxiolytic for anxiety and nervous tension - also supported by a double-blind RCT of a fixed California poppy + hawthorn (Crataegus) + magnesium combination in mild-to-moderate anxiety
Mild analgesic (traditional use for pain)
Safety, Cautions & Contraindications
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).
Has sedative activity: it can add to the effects of alcohol, sedatives and sleep medicines, so avoid combining and do not use before driving.
Alcoholic (ethanol) extracts inhibit or induce several cytochrome P450 enzymes (CYP3A4, 2C9, 2C19, 2D6) and activate the pregnane X receptor, so there is a risk of herb-drug interactions; the water-based tea appears safer in this respect. Avoid in pregnancy and breastfeeding.
External Ids
Botanical Description
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]
Herbaceous perennial (often grown as an annual) with delicate, finely divided, blue-green feathery foliage. Solitary, cup-shaped, four-petalled flowers in vivid orange to yellow arise on long stalks, opening in full sun and closing at night or in dull weather, followed by a long, slender, ridged seed capsule that splits explosively when ripe.[7]
Habitat
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]
Native to open grassland, coastal scrub and disturbed ground of California and neighbouring states; widely cultivated and naturalised elsewhere as a garden ornamental.[7]
Harvesting
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]
The flowering aerial parts are cut in summer while in flower, and dried in a warm, shaded, airy place.[7]
Traditional Uses
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]
California poppy has a Native American traditional reputation as a mild calming and pain-relieving remedy, used for insomnia, nervous tension and mild pain; unlike the related opium poppy it is non-addictive and its calming effects are now attributed to GABA-A receptor modulation, supporting its traditional anxiolytic and sedative use.[7]
Preparations
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.
Dried flowering herb infused in hot water as a traditional calming, sleep-supporting tea.
Alcoholic extract of the dried flowering herb; note that alcoholic extracts (unlike the water-based tea) can affect drug-metabolising liver enzymes.
Concentrated extract, sometimes combined with hawthorn and magnesium, studied in a clinical trial for mild-to-moderate anxiety.
Dosage
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.
The EU herbal monograph gives a single dose of 480-600 mg of the powdered herb and a daily dose of 960-1500 mg, in adults and elderly; for sleep, one single dose with dinner and another 30-60 minutes before bedtime. Not recommended under 18 years; consult a practitioner if symptoms persist beyond 2 weeks. Educational reference only, not a prescription.
Health Canada's NNHPD monograph gives 0.2-3 g of dried flowering herb top per day for adults 18 years and older, with infusion among the accepted methods of preparation. The EU herbal monograph covers the powdered herbal substance only and gives no infusion posology. Educational reference only, not a prescription.
References
Lookalikes Review
Drug Class Interactions
Not documented
References & Sources
- 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
- Rolland, A., Fleurentin, J., Lanhers, M.C., Younos, C. et al (1991) 'Behavioural effects of the American traditional plant Eschscholzia californica: sedative and anxiolytic properties', Planta Medica, 57(3), pp. 212-216. doi:10.1055/s-2006-960076 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1055/s-2006-960076 - Rolland, A., Fleurentin, J., Lanhers, M.C., Misslin, R. and Mortier, F (2001) 'Neurophysiological effects of an extract of Eschscholzia californica Cham. (Papaveraceae)', Phytotherapy Research, 15(5), pp. 377-381. doi:10.1002/ptr.884 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.884 - Kalyniukova, A., Ahmed, S., Ak, G., Saka, E. et al (2025) 'Comprehensive Metabolomic Profiling and Biological Activity Analysis of Eschscholzia californica Extracts Using LC-ESI-QTOF-MS', Food Science & Nutrition, 13(9), pp. e70885. doi:10.1002/fsn3.70885 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1002/fsn3.70885 - Gafner, S., Dietz, B.M., McPhail, K.L., Scott, I.M., Glinski, J.A., Russell, F.E., McCollom, M.M., Budzinski, J.W., Foster, B.C., Bergeron, C., Rhyu, M.R. and Bolton, J.L (2006) 'Alkaloids from Eschscholzia californica and their capacity to inhibit binding of [3H]8-hydroxy-2-(di-N-propylamino)tetralin to 5-HT1A receptors in vitro', Journal of Natural Products, 69(3), pp. 432-435. doi:10.1021/np058114h Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1021/np058114h - Cahlikova, L., Macakova, K., Kunes, J., Kurfurst, M., Opletal, L., Cvacka, J., Chlebek, J. and Blunden, G (2010) 'Acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase inhibitory compounds from Eschscholzia californica (Papaveraceae)', Natural Product Communications, 5(7), pp. 1035-1038. doi:10.1177/1934578x1000500710 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1177/1934578x1000500710 - Singh, S., Jain, L., Pandey, M.B., Singh, U.P. and Pandey, V.B (2009) 'Antifungal activity of the alkaloids from Eschscholzia californica', Folia Microbiologica, 54(3), pp. 204-206. doi:10.1007/s12223-009-0032-7 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12223-009-0032-7 - Fedurco, M., Gregorova, J., Sebrlova, K., Kantorova, J., Pes, O., Baur, R., Sigel, E. and Taborska, E (2015) 'Modulatory Effects of Eschscholzia californica Alkaloids on Recombinant GABAA Receptors', Biochemistry Research International. doi:10.1155/2015/617620 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1155/2015/617620 - Cahlikova, L., Kucera, R., Hostalkova, A., Klimes, J. and Opletal, L (2012) 'Identification of pavinane alkaloids in the genera Argemone and Eschscholzia by GC-MS', Natural Product Communications, 7(10), pp. 1279-1281. doi:10.1177/1934578x1200701008 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1177/1934578x1200701008 - Manda, V.K., Ibrahim, M.A., Dale, O.R., Kumarihamy, M., Cutler, S.J., Khan, I.A., Walker, L.A., Muhammad, I. and Khan, S.I (2016) 'Modulation of CYPs, P-gp, and PXR by Eschscholzia californica (California Poppy) and Its Alkaloids', Planta Medica. doi:10.1055/s-0042-103689 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0042-103689 - Hanus, M., Lafon, J. and Mathieu, M (2004) 'Double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a fixed combination containing two plant extracts (Crataegus oxyacantha and Eschscholtzia californica) and magnesium in mild-to-moderate anxiety disorders', Current Medical Research and Opinion, 20(1), pp. 63--71. doi:10.1185/030079903125002603 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.1185/030079903125002603 - European Medicines Agency (HMPC) (2015) 'European Union herbal monograph on Eschscholzia californica Cham., herba'. Available at: https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-monograph/final-european-union-herbal-monograph-eschscholzia-californica-cham-herba_en.pdf Traditional / reference
https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-monograph/final-european-union-herbal-monograph-eschscholzia-californica-cham-herba_en.pdf - Health Canada, Natural and Non-prescription Health Products Directorate (2026) 'Natural Health Product Monograph: California Poppy - Eschscholzia californica'. Available at: https://webprod.hc-sc.gc.ca/nhpid-bdipsn/dbImages/mono_california-poppy_english.pdf Traditional / reference
https://webprod.hc-sc.gc.ca/nhpid-bdipsn/dbImages/mono_california-poppy_english.pdf - Ghasemzadeh Rahbardar, M. and Hosseinzadeh, H (2024) 'Therapeutic potential of hypnotic herbal medicines: A comprehensive review', Phytotherapy Research, 38(6), pp. 3037-3059. doi:10.1002/ptr.8201 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.8201 - Block, K.I., Gyllenhaal, C. and Mead, M.N (2004) 'Safety and efficacy of herbal sedatives in cancer care', Integrative Cancer Therapies, 3(2), pp. 128-148. doi:10.1177/1534735404265003 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1177/1534735404265003
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.