Plant Comparison
Greater Celandine vs Flaxseed
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 Flaxseed: they share 6 indicated uses (arthritis / joint pain, bloating, cancer (anticancer research), …); 2 pharmacological actions in common.
Evidence face-off — shared uses
| Condition | Greater Celandine | Flaxseed | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arthritis / joint pain | 1/10 | 3/10 | Stronger for Flaxseed |
| Bloating | 1/10 | 3/10 | Stronger for Flaxseed |
| Cancer (anticancer research) | 2/10 | 7/10 | Stronger for Flaxseed |
| Indigestion | 1/10 | 3/10 | Stronger for Flaxseed |
| Inflammation (general) | 1/10 | 3/10 | Stronger for Flaxseed |
| Skin irritation | 1/10 | 3/10 | Stronger for Flaxseed |
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.
Flax is the richest dietary source of SDG-type lignans, converted by gut bacteria to the mammalian lignans enterodiol and enterolactone; studied for antioxidant and hormone-modulating activity.
The dominant fatty acid of the seed oil (~50-55% of total oil), a plant-based omega-3 studied for cardiovascular and anti-inflammatory effects.
Concentrated in the seed coat; gives flaxseed its demulcent, laxative, bulk-forming action.
Present at low levels; cooking/roasting reduces them to negligible amounts in normal food use - a theoretical concern only at high raw intakes.
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
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
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from anticancer action
inferred from digestive action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
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).
Flaxseeds are safe for most people at recommended food amounts (1–2 tablespoons ground/day). They must be ground or milled to be bioavailable — whole seeds largely pass through the gut undigested. High fibre content may cause bloating, flatulence, and loose stools, especially if fibre intake is increased rapidly without adequate hydration. Flaxseeds contain cyanogenic glycosides (linamarin, linustatin); cooking or roasting reduces these to negligible levels in normal food amounts. Raw seeds in very large quantities are a theoretical concern, but typical use is safe (EFSA, 2017).
Medication interactions: Flaxseed may reduce absorption of oral medications if taken simultaneously — space flaxseed supplementation 1–2 hours from medications. Omega-3 ALA and lignans may mildly enhance anticoagulant/antiplatelet effects; use caution with blood thinners. Some sources suggest caution with hormone-sensitive conditions due to phytoestrogen (lignan) content, though dietary amounts are unlikely to pose risk (Adolphe et al., 2010).
Pregnancy: Food amounts are generally considered safe; high-dose supplements should be discussed with a clinician due to limited safety data.
Duke (2002) rates flaxseed as +++ with clinical evidence (score 2) for antiatherogenic, hypocholesterolemic, laxative, lipolytic (fat-dissolving), and demulcent activities. Flaxseed's omega-3 fatty acids (ALA) and lignans are associated with reduced cardiovascular risk. Commission E approves flaxseed as a laxative and for mucilaginous protection of inflamed gastrointestinal mucosa. Dose: 1–2 tablespoons ground seed with ample water, twice daily. Whole seeds should be chewed or ground for full medicinal effect. Cyanogenic glycosides are present but at safe levels in normal dietary amounts (Duke, 2002).
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]
Erect annual herb, slender and often branched near the top, growing 30-80 (up to 100) cm tall from a fine taproot. Leaves are alternate, sessile, narrowly lanceolate to linear, blue-green and entire-margined. Flowers are pale blue (occasionally white or pink), five-petalled and borne on slender stalks in loose terminal cymes. The fruit is a small globular capsule ('boll') that splits into ten compartments, each containing one flattened, glossy, red-brown seed.[5]
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 the Mediterranean region and the Fertile Crescent, cultivated since prehistory for fibre and oil and now grown worldwide in temperate regions with well-drained, fertile soils and a cool, moist growing season; occasionally found as a naturalised escape on waste and cultivated ground.[5]
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]
Grown as an annual crop, seed is harvested once the capsules ('bolls') have dried and turned brown, typically in late summer, by cutting or combining the whole plant and threshing out the seed. Whole seed stores well; it should only be ground shortly before use, since the oil in ground seed oxidises and turns rancid quickly.[2]
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]
Flaxseed has a long history of traditional use as a bulk-forming laxative and demulcent for constipation and irritated gut mucosa, and as a poultice for boils and inflamed skin. Modern interest centres on its lignan (secoisolariciresinol diglucoside) and alpha-linolenic acid content, studied for cardiovascular, metabolic and hormone-related outcomes.[2, 4, 5]
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.
Whole seed freshly ground (milled) and taken with plenty of liquid, or stirred into food; grinding is needed to make the oil and lignans bioavailable, as whole seeds largely pass through the gut undigested.
Cold-pressed oil taken as a concentrated source of alpha-linolenic acid (omega-3); lacks the fibre and lignan content of the whole ground seed.
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.
Traditional guidance and Duke (2002) suggest 1-2 tablespoons of ground seed with ample water, once or twice daily. Educational reference only, not a prescription.
A randomised placebo-controlled trial titrated flax oil capsules (550 mg alpha-linolenic acid per 1 g of oil) to 12 capsules per day, i.e. up to roughly 12 g of oil daily, over 16 weeks - broadly matching the 1-2 tablespoons (about 10-15 mL) daily often cited for omega-3 intake. That trial was in children and adolescents with bipolar disorder and its primary outcomes were null; it is cited here only as a source for an administered human dose of the oil, not as evidence of benefit. Note the EU herbal monograph on Lini semen covers the SEED, not the oil. Educational reference only, not a prescription.
References
Lookalikes Review
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
- Picur, B., Cebrat, M., Zabrocki, J. and Siemion, I.Z (2006) 'Cyclopeptides of Linum usitatissimum', Journal of Peptide Science, 12(9), pp. 569-574. doi:10.1002/psc.779 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1002/psc.779 - Basch, E., Bent, S., Collins, J., Dacey, C., Hammerness, P., Harrison, M., Smith, M., Szapary, P., Ulbricht, C., Vora, M. and Weissner, W (2007) 'Flax and flaxseed oil (Linum usitatissimum): a review by the Natural Standard Research Collaboration', Journal of the Society for Integrative Oncology, 5(3), pp. 92-105. doi:10.2310/7200.2007.005 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.2310/7200.2007.005 - Chhillar, H., Chopra, P. and Ashfaq, M.A (2020) 'Lignans from linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) and its allied species: retrospect, introspect and prospect', Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, 61(16), pp. 2719-2741. doi:10.1080/10408398.2020.1784840 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1080/10408398.2020.1784840 - Ansari, R., Zarshenas, M.M. and Dadbakhsh, A.H (2019) 'A review on pharmacological and clinical aspects of Linum usitatissimum L', Current Drug Discovery Technologies, 16(2), pp. 148-158. doi:10.2174/1570163815666180521101136 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.2174/1570163815666180521101136 - Akter, Y., Junaid, M., Afrose, S.S., Nahrin, A., Alam, M.S., Sharmin, T., Akter, R. and Hosen, S.M.Z (2021) 'A comprehensive review on Linum usitatissimum medicinal plant: its phytochemistry, pharmacology, and ethnomedicinal uses', Mini Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry, 21(18), pp. 2801-2834. doi:10.2174/1389557521666210203153436 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.2174/1389557521666210203153436 - Musazadeh, V., Abolghasemian, M., Kavyani, Z., Moridpour, A.H., Nazari, A. and Faghfouri, A.H (2024) 'The effects of flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum) supplementation on anthropometric indices: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials', Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 84, pp. 103066. doi:10.1016/j.ctim.2024.103066 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2024.103066 - Mueed, A., Shibli, S., Jahangir, M., Jabbar, S. and Deng, Z (2022) 'A comprehensive review of flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum L.): health-affecting compounds, mechanism of toxicity, detoxification, anticancer and potential risk', Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, 63(32), pp. 11081-11104. doi:10.1080/10408398.2022.2092718 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1080/10408398.2022.2092718 - Kaithwas, G., Mukherjee, A., Chaurasia, A.K. and Majumdar, D.K (2011) 'Anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic activities of Linum usitatissimum L. (flaxseed/linseed) fixed oil', Indian Journal of Experimental Biology, 49(12), pp. 932-938. Preclinical
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Anti-inflammatory%2C%20analgesic%20and%20antipyretic%20activities%20of%20Linum%20usitatissimum%20L.%20%28flaxseed/linseed%29%20fixed%20oil - Rafieian-Kopaei, M., Shakiba, A., Sedighi, M. and Bahmani, M (2017) 'The analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity of Linum usitatissimum in Balb/c mice', Journal of Evidence-Based Complementary & Alternative Medicine, 22(4), pp. 892-896. doi:10.1177/2156587217717416 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1177/2156587217717416 - Sirotkin, A.V (2023) 'Influence of flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum) on female reproduction', Planta Medica, 89(6), pp. 608-615. doi:10.1055/a-2013-2966 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1055/a-2013-2966 - Thompson, L.U., Chen, J.M., Li, T., Strasser-Weippl, K. and Goss, P.E (2006) 'Dietary flaxseed alters tumor biological markers in postmenopausal breast cancer', 11(10), pp. 3828--3835. doi:10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-04-2326 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-04-2326 - Adolphe, J.L., Whiting, S.J., Juurlink, B.H.J., Thorpe, L.U. and Alcorn, J (2010) 'Health effects with consumption of the flax lignan secoisolariciresinol diglucoside', 103(7), pp. 929--938. doi:10.1017/S0007114509992753 Clinical study
https://doi.org/10.1017/S0007114509992753 - Caligiuri, S.P.B., Edel, A.L., Aliani, M. and Pierce, G.N (2014) 'Flaxseed for hypertension: implications for improved cardiovascular risk', 16(12), pp. 499. doi:10.1007/s11906-014-0499-8 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11906-014-0499-8 - European Food Safety Authority (2017) 'Safety of cyanogenic glycosides from flaxseed consumed as part of a usual diet', 15(11). doi:10.2903/j.efsa.2017.5026 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2017.5026 - Harris, W.S (2012) 'Stearidonic acid as a surrogate for eicosapentaenoic acid in cardiovascular risk reduction: update and recommendation', 70(10), pp. 565--574. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Stearidonic%20acid%20as%20a%20surrogate%20for%20eicosapentaenoic%20acid%20in%20cardiovascular%20risk%20reduction%3A%20update%20and%20recommendation - Latvijas valsts mežzinātnes institūts (n.d.) 'Linsēkla Latvijā'. Available at: https://www.silava.lv Traditional / reference
https://www.silava.lv - Pan, A., Sun, J., Chen, Y. et al (2009) 'Effects of a flaxseed-derived lignan supplement in type 2 diabetic patients: a randomized, double-blind, cross-over trial', 4(11). doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0007654 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0007654 - Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (n.d.) 'Linum usitatissimum L'. Available at: https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:http://ipni.org:names:381313-1 Traditional / reference
https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:http://ipni.org:names:381313-1 - Gracious, B.L., Chirieac, M.C., Costescu, S., Finucane, T.L., Youngstrom, E.A. and Hibbeln, J.R (2010) 'Randomized, placebo-controlled trial of flax oil in pediatric bipolar disorder', Bipolar Disorders, 12(2), pp. 142-154. doi:10.1111/j.1399-5618.2010.00799.x Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1399-5618.2010.00799.x - 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
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.