Plant Comparison
Greater Celandine vs Oregon Grape
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 Oregon Grape: they share 6 indicated uses (arthritis / joint pain, cancer (anticancer research), infection (general), …); 3 pharmacological actions in common.
Evidence face-off — shared uses
| Condition | Greater Celandine | Oregon Grape | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arthritis / joint pain | 1/10 | 7/10 | Stronger for Oregon Grape |
| Cancer (anticancer research) | 2/10 | 2/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Infection (general) | 1/10 | 2/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Inflammation (general) | 1/10 | 7/10 | Stronger for Oregon Grape |
| Skin irritation | 1/10 | 8/10 | Stronger for Oregon Grape |
| Wounds | 1/10 | 1/10 | 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
Anti-inflammatory and antiproliferative (slows the skin-cell overgrowth of psoriasis)
Anti-inflammatory and antiproliferative (slows the skin-cell overgrowth of psoriasis)
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
Topical for atopic dermatitis (eczema) and skin irritation
Antimicrobial (berberine) - supports skin and mucosal infection
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
Anti-inflammatory and antiproliferative (slows the skin-cell overgrowth of psoriasis); Topical treatment of mild-to-moderate psoriasis (reduces plaque severity) - a double-blind, placebo-controlled RCT showed significant improvement in PASI and quality-of-life scores
Topical for atopic dermatitis (eczema) and skin irritation
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).
Avoid internal use in pregnancy and breastfeeding: like goldenseal, the berberine it contains can cross the placenta and into milk and worsen newborn jaundice (kernicterus risk).
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]
Evergreen shrub, 0.5-2 m tall, spreading by underground rhizomes to form thickets. The pinnate leaves resemble holly, with 5-9 glossy, dark green, spiny-toothed leaflets that often turn bronze-red in winter. Small, bright yellow, six-petalled flowers are borne in dense, upright terminal racemes in early spring, followed by clusters of blue-black, grape-like berries with a waxy bloom. The wood and inner bark of the stem and root are bright yellow when cut, owing to their high content of berberine-type alkaloids.
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 Pacific Northwest of North America, growing in coniferous woodland understorey, forest margins and rocky slopes; widely introduced and naturalised as an ornamental and hedging shrub in temperate regions elsewhere.
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 root and root bark, the medicinal parts, are dug from established plants - traditionally in autumn - and dried. Because wild populations are slow-growing, cultivated or nursery-sourced material is preferred over wild-harvesting.
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]
Oregon grape root has a traditional Native American and Eclectic-medicine history as a bitter tonic and alterative (blood-purifying) remedy and for skin conditions. Its main modern use, supported by clinical trials, is topical application of a standardised bark extract for mild-to-moderate psoriasis and atopic dermatitis (eczema), where its berberine-type alkaloids give anti-inflammatory and antiproliferative effects on skin cells.[1, 11, 12]
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.
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.
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
- Gulliver, W.P. and Donsky, H.J (2005) 'A report on three recent clinical trials using Mahonia aquifolium 10% topical cream and a review of the worldwide clinical experience with Mahonia aquifolium for the treatment of plaque psoriasis', American Journal of Therapeutics, 12(5), pp. 398-406. doi:10.1097/01.mjt.0000174350.82270.da Clinical study
https://doi.org/10.1097/01.mjt.0000174350.82270.da - Cernakova, M. and Kostalova, D (2002) 'Antimicrobial activity of berberine--a constituent of Mahonia aquifolium', Folia Microbiologica, 47(4), pp. 375-378. doi:10.1007/BF02818693 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02818693 - Damjanovic, A., Kolundzija, B., Matic, I.Z., Krivokuca, A. and others (2020) 'Mahonia aquifolium Extracts Promote Doxorubicin Effects against Lung Adenocarcinoma Cells In Vitro', Molecules, 25(22), pp. 5233. doi:10.3390/molecules25225233 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules25225233 - Cernakova, M., Kostalova, D., Kettmann, V., Plodova, M. and others (2002) 'Potential antimutagenic activity of berberine, a constituent of Mahonia aquifolium', BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2, pp. 2. doi:10.1186/1472-6882-2-2 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6882-2-2 - Slobodnikova, L., Kostalova, D., Labudova, D., Kotulova, D. and Kettmann, V (2004) 'Antimicrobial activity of Mahonia aquifolium crude extract and its major isolated alkaloids', Phytotherapy Research, 18(8), pp. 674-676. doi:10.1002/ptr.1517 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.1517 - Godjevac, D., Damjanovic, A., Stanojkovic, T.P., Andjelkovic, B. and Zdunic, G (2018) 'Identification of cytotoxic metabolites from Mahonia aquifolium using 1H NMR-based metabolomics approach', Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis, 150, pp. 9-14. doi:10.1016/j.jpba.2017.11.075 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpba.2017.11.075 - Muller, K. and Ziereis, K (1994) 'The antipsoriatic Mahonia aquifolium and its active constituents; I. Pro- and antioxidant properties and inhibition of 5-lipoxygenase', Planta Medica, 60(5), pp. 421-424. doi:10.1055/s-2006-959523 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1055/s-2006-959523 - Rohrer, U., Kunz, E.M.K., Lenkeit, K., Schaffner, W. and Meyer, J (2007) 'Antimicrobial activity of Mahonia aquifolium and two of its alkaloids against oral bacteria', Schweizer Monatsschrift fur Zahnmedizin, 117(11), pp. 1126-1131. Preclinical
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Antimicrobial%20activity%20of%20Mahonia%20aquifolium%20and%20two%20of%20its%20alkaloids%20against%20oral%20bacteria - Vollekova, A., Kostalova, D., Kettmann, V. and Toth, J (2003) 'Antifungal activity of Mahonia aquifolium extract and its major protoberberine alkaloids', Phytotherapy Research, 17(7), pp. 834-837. doi:10.1002/ptr.1256 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.1256 - Hajnicka, V., Kostalova, D., Svecova, D., Sochorova, R. and others (2002) 'Effect of Mahonia aquifolium active compounds on interleukin-8 production in the human monocytic cell line THP-1', Planta Medica, 68(3), pp. 266-268. doi:10.1055/s-2002-23126 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1055/s-2002-23126 - Gulliver, W.P. and colleagues (2018) 'Review of the Efficacy and Safety of Topical Mahonia aquifolium for the Treatment of Psoriasis and Atopic Dermatitis', Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6334833/ Meta-analysis / review
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6334833/ - Herbal Reality (n.d.) 'Oregon Grape Root (Berberis aquifolium): Benefits, Uses, Safety'. Available at: https://www.herbalreality.com/herb/oregon-grape/ Traditional / reference
https://www.herbalreality.com/herb/oregon-grape/ - Bernstein, S., Donsky, H., Gulliver, W., Hamilton, D., Nobel, S. and Norman, R (2006) 'Treatment of mild to moderate psoriasis with Relieva, a Mahonia aquifolium extract - a double-blind, placebo-controlled study', American Journal of Therapeutics, 13(2), pp. 121--126. doi:10.1097/00045391-200603000-00007 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.1097/00045391-200603000-00007
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.