Ficaria verna- formerly Ranunculus ficaria, Ficaria ranunculoides   Lesser celandine, Pilewort   Family: Ranunculaceae   
PART USED: Dried herb
TASTE: Slightly bitter   ODOR: Slight.
ACTIONS
1. Astringent.[1] Antihemorrhoidal.[1,2]
Locally- Demulcent.[1]
INDICATIONS
Generally applied externally to Hemorroids.[1,2]
CONTRAINDICATIONS: Contact with damaged or crushed Ficaria leaves can cause itching, rashes or blistering on the skin or mucosa.[3]
SPECIFIC INDICATIONS: Internal or prolapsed piles- by topical application or as suppository.[1]
COMBINATIONS
- Hemorrhoids, use with Greater Plantain and Calendula.
- As suppository, use with Witch hazel.
PREPARATIONS: 3X /day
Dried plant  2-5 g or by infusion.[1]
Liquid extract 1:1 in 25% alcohol  2-5 ml.[1,2]
Ointment 30% fresh plant 3% in suitable base.
Pile ointment (BPC1934) 30% fresh plant in benzoinated lard.[1]
Suppositories (BHP1934).[1]
    
ORIGIN: Great Britain. Europe and West Asia.
DESCRIPTION: A common spring flowering perennial herb. Leaves; mostly radical, the petioles up to about 15 cm long, the lamina up to 4 cm long and 5 cm broad, ovate, cordate or reniform. Flowers soliary, on long peduncles, bright yellow with three sepals and 8-12 lanceolate petals each with a nectary at the base. Roots fleshy, oblong, or club-shaped, up to about 3 cm long. Roots; some enlarge to form tubercles which are acrid and bitter.
References
Inner Path can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Constituents
Research

The saponins have a local antihaemorrhoidal effect, which is increased by the astringency of the tannins.[1] The saponins are also antifungicidal.[2]
Protoanemonin has antibiotic activity, however it easily dimerizes to anemonin which is inactive.[2]
References
[1] Pourrat, H. and Pourrat, A. (1966) Bull. Soc. Chim. Fr. 2410
[2] Pourrat, H. et al. (1982) Ann. Pharm. Fr. 40, 373
[3] Tschersche, R. in "Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry", Ed. H. Wagner and Horhammer, Pub. Springer-Verlag (1971)