Fumitory: Benefits, Dosage, Contraindications
Other name(s)
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Scientific name(s)
Fumaria officinalis
Family or group:
Plants
Active ingredients:
Protopines
Malic Acid
Citric Acid
Phenolic Acids
Indications
Rating methodology
EFSA approval.
Biliary disorders ✪✪✪✪✪
In well-structured clinical studies, fumitory has demonstrated notable efficacy in treating various biliary disorders. In a double-blind and crossover study, 30 patients with biliary dyskinesia and other biliary disorders were treated with a fumitory aqueous extract. The results showed a significant reduction in symptoms such as abdominal pain, flatulence, and nausea, with persistent improvement even after switching to a placebo. Additionally, a daily treatment of 105 patients with various biliary disorders with a fumitory aqueous extract for 2 weeks to 6 months led to substantial improvement or even complete disappearance of symptoms in over 80% of patients.
Posologie
Oral administration: aerial parts
4 - 6 g
aqueous extract
Digestive disorders ✪✪✪✪✪
Fumitory is recommended for alleviating various digestive disorders such as stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, fullness sensation, and flatulence, especially when they are linked to hepatobiliary disturbances.
Posologie
Oral administration: aerial parts
4 - 6 g
aqueous extract
Eczema, Psoriasis ✪✪✪✪✪
Fumitory is used to treat inflammatory skin problems such as eczema and psoriasis, mainly by depurative action. Fumitory and silymarin-based cream was evaluated for its effectiveness against eczema in a randomized double-blind clinical trial. Forty patients with mild to moderate eczema were treated either with the plant-based cream or with a 0.1% mometasone cream. After two weeks, a significant reduction in SCORAD scores (Scoring Atopic Dermatitis, a method used to measure the severity of atopic dermatitis) was observed in both groups, demonstrating the plant-based cream's effectiveness in reducing eczema symptoms, comparable to that of mometasone.
Posologie
Topical, oral administration: aerial parts
4 - 6 g
aqueous extract, cream
Properties
Digestive Effect
Fumitory significantly improves hepatobiliary disorders due to its properties promoting the secretion and excretion of bile. The plant's flavonoids, phenolic acids, and potassium salts may be responsible for this effect. It helps alleviate biliary dyskinesia, reducing symptoms until they completely disappear. Moreover, it aids in the regression of hepatic disorders and reduces bilirubin levels. Fumitory is also used to prevent lithiasis by modifying bile production and reducing headaches associated with digestive disorders.
Usages associés
Choleretic
Fumitory significantly modifies bile production depending on the initial flow rate of each individual. For those with low flow, it increases choleresis, while for those with high flow, it reduces it. For medium flows, the impact remains minor and insignificant. This regulatory action helps optimize biliary function.
Usages associés
Antispasmodic
Fumitory is known for its antispasmodic effects, particularly on the digestive system. It works by relaxing the smooth muscles of the bile duct and upper gastrointestinal tract, including the sphincter of Oddi, which helps relieve intestinal spasms. These properties make it useful in treating digestive disorders related to spasms, thus improving digestive comfort. Its action is also noted on the smooth pulmonary and uterine muscles.
Dermatological Effect
Fumitory is traditionally used in many countries to treat skin disorders such as dermatitis, eczema, and psoriasis. Its dermatological action is thought to be due to fumaric acid present in the aerial parts of the plant. Fumitory also has an antihistamine action due to the presence of protopine, a major alkaloid of the fumitory family. Additionally, it has an anti-infectious action, notably bactericidal, due to the presence of allocryptopine, sanguinarine, chelidonine, and berberine.
Usages associés
Sedative
The major alkaloid of fumitory, protopine, has antihistamine, hypotensive, bradycardic, and sedative activities in small doses, but can cause excitement and convulsions in large doses.
Safety dosage
Adult: 4 mg - 6 mg (infusion)
Daily dose for adult: 4-6 g of drug in the form of dry aqueous extract or infusion. Fumitory can be dangerous when taken orally in large quantities due to the presence of the alkaloid protopine, which can cause seizures and death.
Contraindications
Pregnant women: prohibited
Breastfeeding women: prohibited
