Fumitory

When seen from a distance, this plant has a smoky appearance,
hence the name fumitory. Traditional medicine has long viewed
it as a medicinal plant that can be used to treat live disorders,
and recent research has shown that fumitory does indeed stimulate
the flow of bile and strengthen the liver.

A genus of 55 annuals, usually climbing or scrambling, that occur throughout Europe to C Asia, and in E African Highlands. Fumitories are closely related to poppies and similarly contain alkaloids, although in smaller amounts. Fumaria is from the Latin fumus, "smoke", referring either to a legend that the plant grew from earthly vapors, or to the irritating smoke it produces when it is burned. There are many old prescriptions containing Fumaria officinalis, once used for a wide range of complaints. A syrup made from the juice of the herb, mixed with the syrup of damask roses, peach blossoms, or senna, was "a most singular thing against hypochondriack melancholy in any person whatsoever" (Quoted without reference by Mrs. Grieve in A Modern Herbal, 1931).

Also known as earth smoke, fumitory gets its name because its blue-green color makes the plant look like smoke rising from the ground. Pliny, the famous Roman scholar, wrote that the juice of the fumitory plant made the eyes fill with tears to such an extent that the vision became dim as if appearing through smoke. This may explain why it was considered useful in treating afflictions of the eye.

Robust but weak-stemmed, sprawling or climbing annual with pinnately divided, gray-green leaves, 5-15cm (2-6in) long. Pink flowers, 7mm (¼in) long, tipped dark maroon, are borne in dense, elongated racemes from mid-summer to late autumn.


Common Name:
Fumitory
Other Names:
Beggary, Earth smoke, Fumus, Hedge Fumitory, Vapor, Wax dolls
Botanical Name:
Fumaria officinalis
Genus:
Fumaria
Family:
Papaveraceae
Native Location:
Europe, Asia and North Africa, Europe to Iran; naturalized in N America and Australia
Plant Facts:
This finely branched plant with featherlike leaves grows up to 2 feet tall and belongs to the poppy (Papaveracea) family. The odorless herbs tastes slightly bitter and salty.
Cultivation:
Light, well-drained soil in sun.
Propagation:
By seed sown in spring where the plants are to flower. Self-seeds readily.
Harvest:
Plants are collected as flowering begins and dried for use in infusions, liquid extracts, pills, and tinctures.
Height:
30-40cm (12-16in)
Width:
30-40cm (12-16in)
Hardiness:
Hardy
Origin:
Fumitory grows in Europe, Asia and North Africa. It prefers loamy soil and can be found on uncultivated land. Garbage dumps, the edges of paths, fields, parks and gardens are common hosts for this plant.
Parts Used:
The aerial parts of this plant are used for medicinal purposes. Fumitory should be harvested when it's flowering, Leaf, flowering parts.
Components:
Fumitory contains many alkaloids, the most important of which is cholagogue protopine, also known as fumarine. It also has musilage, resin, potassium, and fumaric and tannic acids, as well as bitter constituents.
Properties:
A bitter, tonic herb, with mild diuretic and laxative effects; improves liver and gall bladder function and reduces inflammation.
Indications:
An antispasmodic, fumitory is used to treat chronic and acute bile-duct disorders that are accompanied by cramps. Because it stimulates the flow of bile, fumitory helps with migraines, intolerance of fatty foods, constipation and nausea associated with the insufficient flow of bile. In addition, this herb has been used in traditional medicine to treat liver complaints and to purify the blood. Plus, fumitory's alkaloid and fumaric acid content makes the herb useful as a compress to treat skin rashes.
Caution:
Fumitory is toxic in large doses. The recommended dosages should not be exceeded, or convulsive abdominal pain and diarrhea could result. Before using fumitory, it's best to consult a physician.
Methods of Administration:
  • Tea
    Pour ½ cup of boiling water over 1-2 tsp. of fumitory. Steep for about 10 min.; strain. Drink the fresh, warm tea about 30 min. before mealtimes, 3 times daily.
  • Spring Tonic
    For a purifying tonic mix in a blender a handful each of fresh fumitory, wild pansy and dandelion with 1 cup of cold water; strain. Drink 2 oz. of the tonic up to 4 times a day. Throw out the leftover tonic at night.
  • Commercial Preparations
    Dry extracts of fumitory can be found in capsules, tablets and drops. These are more readily available in Europe, but occasionally can be found here in health-food stores or through mail-order catalogs. For best results, take these products before meals. If your pain is acute consult a physician. Do not try to self-treat bile-duct disorders.
    		•
    Medicinal Uses:
    Internally for biliary colic and migraine with digestive disturbances. Externally for conjunctivitis. Both internally and externally used for skin complaints, including eczema and dermatitis. Excess causes drowsiness.
    To treat constipation, scabies, psoriasis, eczema, and liver problems; as a diuretic. Germany's Commission E has approved the use of fumitory to treat liver and gallbladder complaints.
    Typical Dose:
    A typical daily dose of fumitory may range from 2 to 6 gm of the herb.
    Possible Side Effects:
    Fumitory's side effects include lowered blood pressure, nausea, and vomiting.
    Drug Interactions:
    Taking fumitory with these drugs may cause or increase kidney damage:
    Etodolac, (Lodine, Utradol)
    Ibuprofen, (Advil, Motrin)
    Indomethacin, (Indocin, Novo-Methacin)
    Ketoprofen, (Orudis, Rhodis)
    Ketorolac, (Acular, Toradol)
    Meloxicam, (MOBIC, Mobicox)
    Metformin, (Glucophage, Riomet)
    Methotrexate, (Rheumatrex, Trexall)
    Miglitol, (Glyset)
    Morphine Hydrochloride, (Morphine Hydrochloride)
    Morphine Sulfate, (Kadian, MS Contin)
    Naproxen, (Aleve, Naprosyn)
    Nitrofurantoin, (Furadantin, Macrobid)
    Ofloxacin, (Floxin, Ocuflox)
    Penicillin, (Pfizerpen, Wycillin)
    Piroxicam, (Feldene, Nu-Pirox)
    Propoxyphene, (Darvon, Darvon-N)
    Rifampin, (Rifadin, Rimactane)
    Sucralfate, (Carafate, Sulcrate)
    Tramadol, (Ultram)
    Valacyclovir, (Valtrex)
    Valganciclovir, (Valcyte)
    Vancomycin, (Vancocin)
    Zidovudine, (Novo-AZT, Retrovir)
    Taking fumatory with these drugs may increase the action of the drug:
    Acebutolol, (Novo-Acebutolol, Sectral)
    Adenosine, (Adenocard, Adenoscan)
    Amiodarone, (Cordarone, Pacerone)
    Atenolol, (Apo-Atenol, Tenormin)
    Befunolol, (Bentos, Betaclar)
    Betaxolol, (Betoptic S, Kerlone)
    Bisoprolol, (Monocor, Zebeta)
    Bretylium, (Bretylium)
    Carteolol, (Cartrol, Ocupress)
    Carvedilol, (Coreg)
    Celiprolol, (Celiprolol)
    Digitalis, (Digitek, Lanoxin)
    Diltiazem, (Cardizem, Tiazac)
    Disopyramide, (Norpace, Rhythmodan)
    Dofetilide, (Tikosyn)
    Esmolol, (Brevibloc)
    Flecainide, (Tambocor)
    Ibutilide, (Corvert)
    Labetalol, (Normodyne, Trandate)
    Levobetaxolol, (Betaxon)
    Levobunolol, (Betagan, Novo-Levobunolol)
    Lidocaine, (Lidoderm, Xylocaine)
    Metipranolol, (OptiPranolol)
    Metoprolol, (Betaloc, Lopressor)
    Mexiletine, (Mexitil, Novo-Mexiletine)
    Moricizine, (Ethmozine)
    Nadolol, (Apo-Nadol, Corgard)
    Oxprenolol, (Slow-Trasicor, Trasicor)
    Phenytoin, (Dilantin, Phenytek)
    Pindolol, (Apo-Pindol, Novo-Pindol)
    Procainamide, (Procanbid, Pronestyl-SR)
    Propafenone, (GenPropafenone, Rhythmol)
    Propranolol, (Inderal, InnoPran XL)
    Quinidine, (Novo-Quinidin, Quinaglute Dura-Tabs)
    Sotalol, (Betapace, Sorine)
    Timolol, (Betimol, Timoptic)
    Tocainide, (Tonocard)
    Verapamil, (Calan, Isoptin SR)
    Taking fumatory with this drug may be harmful:
    Digitalis, (Digitek, Lanoxin)—:May increase risk of drug toxicity due to potassium loss.
    Culinary Uses:
    Flowering sprigs are added to sour milk to improve taste of curds and act as a preservative.
    Bibliography:
    The Complete Guide to Natural Remedies Copyright © 1999 International Master Publishers AB™ Group 1 Card 27.
    The Encylopedia of Herbs by Deni Bown Copyright © 1995, 2001. Pps 217-218
    The Essential Herb-Drug-Vitamin Interaction Guide by Geo. T. Grossberg,MD and Barry Fox,PhD, Copyright©2007 Barry Fox,PhD. Pp.228-229