Celandines open and smiling in full sun (they close in dull,wet or windy weather) One of the first to pop up and declare spring is here.
Ranunculus Ficaria- ranunculus ,so related to buttercup. Ficaria means fig-like and refers to the tubers
The leaves are glossy and loveheart shaped forming a rosette at the base of the plant
AKA pilewort. The roots can be used in an ointment for haemorrhoids. They contain saponnins and tannins which are the active ingredient here, stringent and demulcent. Use with hammamelis, plantain and calendula for the pile ointment or suppositories. Wear glove to prepare it - irritant
The plant also contains anemonin and proto-anemonin which are irritant and poisonous. Supposedly used by beggars to create sores. Supposedly these poisons are destroyed by drying and heat and the well roasted tubers have been eaten in times of famine, but it's not recommended. The very young leaves used to be added to salads and the immature flower buds pickled as a caper substitute but there are definately safer alternatives for both of these purposes.
It may have been used as a visionary herb, the young flowerbuds boiled in wine and sweetened with honey were said to bring sweet dreams and a wash made from the flowers used to consecrate divinatory tools.
Not related to greater celandine which is of the poppy family, and whose juice may get rid of warts
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